Why Does My Virginia Creeper Looks Unhealthy?

Was the plant defoliated?

Do the leaves and flowers have holes?

Are the leaves yellow and covered by small bumps?

Are the leaves curled and yellow?

Are the leaves discolored, foliage may be webbed?

Are the leaves discolored and distorted?

Are there brown to black spots or blotches present on the leaves?

Do the leaves have sunken spots on them?

Do the leaves have a powdery white coating on them?

Several kinds of caterpillars may attack creepers from time to time. The striped caterpillar of the eight-spotted forester moth can strip the creeper leaves rapidly, especially in the late summer, when the second generation appears. Spray vine foliage with BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) as soon as feeding caterpillars are visible. Repeat spray if it rains. Otherwise, two applications five days apart should remove these pests.

Holes in leaves and flowers in Virginia creeper are caused by Japanese beetles. Adults of these insects devour leaves, stalks, and flowers of nearly 300 plant species. Their larvae feed on the roots of the plants. Handpick adult beetles into a can of soapy water but make sure to wear gloves as Japanese beetles are blister beetles. Apply parasitic nematodes to the soil to limit beetle grub populations. Use pyrethrin powder or neem oil as a last resort.

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, 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.

Spider mites are known to cause problems for creepers. 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 or pyrethrin.

Discolored and distorted leaves are caused by leafhoppers. These small, green or brown insects feed by sucking juices from leaves undersides. Leafhoppers may be the carriers of Aster yellows disease, so it is important to keep them in control. Insecticidal soap helps with severe infestations.

Leaf spot diseases in creepers are caused by any of several fungi that thrive on moist leaf surfaces. Brown to black spots develops on the leaves of infected plants. These spots often come together to form larger patches of dead tissue. Pick off and discard infected leaves, and spray the vine foliage every seven to ten days with sulfur. Avoid wetting the foliage while watering the vines. Mulching around plants helps prevent fungi from being splashed up from the ground by rain.

These symptoms indicate Anthracnose disease. It is caused by fungus and can be controlled by copper sprays. Since fungus overwinters on leaf litter, you should gather all surrounding leaves and destroy them before new foliage starts growing.

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.

If there are lesions on the creeper stems, it may be suffering from canker. Cankers can be caused by several different kinds of fungi. Mildly affected plants will recover if you remove and destroy all affected branches. Heavily affected plants can't be cured and you should remove the whole plant. Avoid damaging your plant with lawnmowers, trimmers, or pruning tools because the wounds are the best place for cankers to start.