Why Do My Lavenders Look Unhealthy?

Are the leaves yellowing, wilting and, dying?

Are the stems twisted and turning brown, tiny black spots are present?

Do the leaves turn yellow in patches and then curl up into contorted shapes?

Is there a sticky foam, resembling spit on the plants?

Yellow leaves that wilt and die usually indicate Root rot in lavenders. This disease is caused by both fungi and bacterias. Poorly drained, overly wet soil promotes rot so choose well-drained sites and add organic matter to improve drainage. Remove and destroy infected plants. Solarize the soil before replanting.

Lavender Shab is a fungal disease caused by Phomopsis lavandula. The clearest sign of it is when all the shoots wilt suddenly, even though there has been no drought. Pull out any infected plants and destroy them. Do not put them in your compost pile.

Alfa Mosaic is an untreatable viral disease. It can be spread by both insects and by tools, so it is important to remove infected plants quickly, using something disposable like a sheet of newspaper to hold the plant. As with any diseased plant material, the best thing to do is burn it.

Spittlebugs will sometimes attack lavenders. The insect produces a protective foam that looks like spit. The foam helps protect the insect from ultraviolet light, predators, and insecticides. Use a strong spray of water to wash the foam away. The resulting exposure to UV light will kill the insect and expose it to predators. A stronger spray of water may also remove the insect from the plant.

Some environmental issues may have caused an unhealthy look of your lavender. Lavender grows very well in a wide range of climates, and optimally at temperatures between 45 – 70 °F. Lavender plants require bright sunlight for adequate growth and should be positioned accordingly. The plants will grow best in light of sandy, well-draining soils with a pH of 5.8–8.3.