Why Does My Artemisia Look Sickly?

Are the leaves curled and yellow?

Are the leaves stippled with yellow and the foliage is webbed?

Are the leaves covered with white powdery patches?

Are the leaves pale on their upper side and are there any dusty blisters on the undersides?

Does the plant begins to wilt and are there zigzag paths in roots or stems?

Do the leaves have large, ragged holes in them?

Does the center of the plant dies out?

Distorted, curled 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.

Leaves stippled with yellow are caused by mites. These tiny, spider-like pests feed by sucking sap from the underside of the plants leaves causing yellow flecking on the upper leaf surfaces. You can control spider mites by spraying plants thoroughly with water 2-3 times a day for several days. For severe infestations, spray plants with insecticidal soap.

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. Any commercial fungicidal spray will protect your plant from further infections.

Likely cause for these symptoms is a fungal disease - Rust. Provide good air circulation around plants by thining them. Avoid making leaves wet when watering. All infected leaves should be removed. Spray leaves with sulfur early in the season to prevent rust or to treat mild infections.

These symptoms are caused by Black vine weevil larvae. The larvae are small whitish grubs, which feed within the fruit, stem, or roots of plants. The larvae feed on the roots and stems. The feeding can girdle the stem, killing the plant. Drench the soil around your artemisia with the predatory nematodes solution. If there are adult weevils, knock them from the plant on a piece of cloth and destroy them.

Large, ragged holes in the leaves 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.

If the center of your artemisia is dying out, the plant may need pruning or it needs to be divided next spring.

If the artemisia foliage declines and the plant rots, the problem is probably too much water in the soil. Artemisia needs well-drained soil. Keep the soil constantly moist, but never let it be soggy or flooded. If left sitting in damp soil, the plant will decline.