What aphids look like
Aphids are small pear-shaped insects that cluster in groups. They love:
- New shoots
- Flower buds
- Soft stems
They can be green, black, brown, or even pink.
Signs you have aphids
- Leaves curling around the tips
- Sticky honeydew on leaves
- Sooty mold developing on sticky spots
- Ants hanging around your plants
Treatment plan
Quick win: spray them off
Aphids are weak. A strong rinse often removes most of them.
- Focus on new growth and underside of leaves.
If they return
- Insecticidal soap is effective
- Repeat every few days for 1 to 2 weeks
Prevention
- Do not over-fertilize with high nitrogen
- Inspect new growth weekly
- Keep plants spaced for airflow