What Is Wrong With My Ajuga?

Have the crowns or roots rotted, an unpleasant odor may be present?

Are the leaves covered with white powder?

Is the plant stunted, leaves yellowed and the roots have lesions on them?

Ajugas can occasionally be infected by fungal Crown or Root rot diseases. Crown injury and excess moisture during dormancy also increase the chances of infection. Choose well-drained sites. Add organic matter to improve soil drainage. Keep winter mulch away from crowns. Remove and discard infected plants and the surrounding soil. It is advisable to replace infected ajugas with a different groundcover. Thoroughly cultivating around plants encourages the soil to dry out and hinders the spread of the fungus.

White, powdery patches on the leaves are caused by a fungal disease Powdery mildew. Powdery mildew usually appears in damp places. Encourage good air circulation around the affected plants by thining them and 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.

These symptoms are caused by root-knot nematodes. Prevent root-knot nematodes by applying chitin or introducing parasitic nematodes to the soil before planting. Another preventative method is fertilizing with fish emulsion diluted in water which is then poured on the soil as a drench. It repels nematodes.

Ajuga is a typically a vigorous plant, but every once in awhile patches of it will suddenly die out. This is caused by a Dieback disease. Clean up dried, shriveled foliage, and leave the roots alone. Chances are next season the plants will regenerate from the roots. Try to avoid using chemical herbicides near ajuga, they seem to promote rot in existing plants.