Most Common Sunflower Pests & Diseases
You have problems with sunflower pests or diseases in your garden or on your balcony?
Stick with me since I will show you simple but yet effective ways how to get rid of sunflower pests and plant diseases in the following chapters!
Sunflower Pests
Pest | How to control it |
---|---|
Cutworms | Cutworms often try to feed on sunflowers. Hence, make sure to get information on how to get rid of cutworms in your garden. |
Aphids | Aphids may also populate sunflowers. Fortunately, there are easy ways how to control aphids. |
Maggots | Maggots can be another issue when growing sunflowers. Thus, also get some tips and tricks on how to get rid of maggots in your garden. |
Caterpillars & Loopers | Caterpillars and loopers are also quite common when growing sunflowers at home. Hence, make sure to inform yourself on how to get rid of caterpillars and loopers. |
Lygus bugs | Although rather are, lygus bugs may also try to feed on sunflowers. You can get rid of lygus bugs using pesticides or insecticidal soap. |
Sunflower beetles | Sunflower beetles are also pretty common and you can get rid of them using insecticidal soap or neem oil. |
Moths | Moths may also feed on sunflower plants. You can get rid of moths using pesticides or insecticidal soap from the garden center. |
Weevils | Weevils may also do great damage to sunflower plants. You can deter them using diatomite or pesticides. |
Wireworms | Wireworms may also be annoying companions when growing sunflowers in your garden. You can get rid of them using diatomite or insecticidal soap. |
Grasshoppers | Grasshoppers may also feed on sunflower plants. You can get rid of them by spraying your plants with garlic solution or powdering them with flour. |
Sunflower Diseases
Disease | How to control it |
---|---|
Mold | Mold may do great damage to sunflowers. Hence, inform yourself on how to get rid of plant mold. |
Plant rust | Rust is also quite common on sunflowers. Fortunately, there are easy ways how to get rid of plant rust. |
Damping-off | Damping-off may also occur if seed and seedlings don’t get optimal germination conditions. Hence, improve lighting and soil conditions to avoid damping-off of sunflowers. |
Leaf spot | Leaf spot is another common plant disease when growing sunflowers. Hence, also get some information on how to avoid leaf spot on garden plants. |
Blight | Blight may also do great damage to sunflowers. Hence, you should also inform yourself about how to control blight. |
Powdery mildew | Powdery mildew is another common disease when growing sunflowers at home. Fortunately, there are easy ways how to get rid of powdery mildew in your garden. |
Verticillium wilt | Verticillium wilt is a serious plant disease. Once you spot verticillium wilt, it is often too late and you should just remove infested plants to avoid the spread of this disease in your garden. |
Head rot | Head rot often occurs when your plants don’t get sufficient nutrients. Hence, you should fertilize the soil if you spot head rot on sunflower plants. |
Sunflower Pests & Diseases – Summary List
Pests | Diseases |
---|---|
Moths | Verticillium wilt |
Cutworms | Head rot |
Aphids | Powdery mildew |
Lygus bugs | Early blight |
Sunflower beetles | Leaf spot |
Grasshoppers | Rust |
Weevils | Mold |
Wireworms | Damping-off |
Caterpillars and loopers | |
Maggots |
How to deal with Sunflower Pests & Diseases?
As you can see, there are many easy ways to control sunflower pests and diseases.
If you want to learn more about growing sunflowers in general, you should also have a look at my sunflower grower’s guide and at my growing sunflower FAQ section.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helianthus
Own experience.