Why Does My Clematis Vine Look Unhealthy?

Do the vines droop and shrivel?

Does the plant look stunted, top dies back?

Are the leaves yellow, stems, and leaves are covered with small bumps?

Are the leaves, stems, and buds distorted, clusters of small insects are present?

Do the leaves have holes in them?

Are the holes large and ragged?

Are there any mucus trails on or around the plant?

Are the young leaves distorted or torn and full of small, brown-edged holes?

Are some of the stems dying and producing a white, foul-smelling ooze?

Do the flowers of your clematis have green petals?

Do the leaves have a powdery white coating on them?

Clematis wilt is a fungal disease that is one of the most serious problems for clematis. When it strikes, prune out and destroy all affected parts. If you set the plant a few inches deeper than it was growing in the nursery at transplanting time, new vines may come up from the buried stem portion and produce new, healthy top growth. If the whole plant dies, don’t try to grow another clematis on that site.

Clematis borers are white-bodied, brown-headed grubs who feed on the roots and crowns of clematis vines. To control, cut out and destroy infested stems, and dig the larvae out of the crowns. Dig out and destroy severely infested plants.

Yellow leaves covered by small bumps are caused by scales. These tiny, shelled insects often feed on the undersides of the leaves, causing an unhealthy appearance with yellowish blotches on the upper leaf surfaces. Scrape off minor infestations with your fingernail. Prune out badly infested growth, or use a soft brush and soapy water to gently scrub the scales off the stems. Control scales by spraying insecticidal oil during the growing season.

Distorted stems, buds, and leaves are caused by aphids. These tiny insects can vary in color, green, pink, black, gray to completely white. They cluster under leaves and on growing tips where they feed on plant sap. Leaves, stems, and buds get distorted and later leaves and flowers drop from the plant. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.

Mucus trails are caused by slugs and snails. Slugs and snails feed on the plant leaves usually at night. To control slugs and snails use diatomaceous earth around your plants. You can also handpick them during the night or use shallow dishes filled with beer as a trap.

Various caterpillars attack clematis, and make holes in their leaves. You can handpick and destroy them if the infestation is not severe. BTK spray will help in controlling caterpillars.

Capsid bugs are known pests on clematis. If only minimal damage is observed, it is not necessary to do more than keep dropped leaves and plant matter cleaned up to prevent capsid hiding places. Capsid bug treatment for heavily damaged plants should be done with a pyrethrin spray.

Earwigs often feed on clematis leaves. Since they hide in dark places, trap them in short lengths of hose or rolled-up newspapers. Check traps and destroy captured earwigs daily.

Clematis slime flux is a bacterial disease that can affect most clematis species. Damaged areas of the stem are colonized by bacteria, leading to wilting, dieback, and the appearance of a foul-smelling exudate from the stem. Prune out and discard all infected stems, cut several inches below the damaged area. Protect your plant from mechanical injuries.

Low temperatures during flower development can cause clematis green petal conditions. Normal flowers should be produced as the season progresses and temperatures rise. If the plant continues to produce green, distorted flowers throughout its flowering period, then a more serious problem known as green flower disease could be involved. Affected plants should be destroyed.

White, powdery coating on the leaves is caused by a fungal disease Powdery mildew. Powdery mildew usually appears in damp places. Encourage good air circulation around the affected plants by thining any surrounding plants. Water plants from bellow to keep foliage dry. Any affected leaves should be cut off and removed.

Poor growing conditions may have caused your plants sickly look. Clematis need a moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. The roots need to be kept cool and shaded, but growth and flowering will be impaired if the top of the plant is kept in deep shade. Place stones or pebbles around the base of the plant, or carefully position other plants so that only the base of the clematis is shaded.