Intro
Found bugs on your herbs, or strange spots on the leaves? Don’t panic — most herb problems are common, easy to identify, and fixable once you know what you’re dealing with. I’ve run into all of these in my own garden, so let’s work out what’s going on and sort it out.
Identify your problem
What does it look like?
- Tiny dark flies hovering around the soil? That’s almost certainly fungus gnats — usually a sign of soil that’s too wet. → How to deal with fungus gnats
- Clusters of small soft insects on new growth, and sticky leaves? Those are aphids. → How to get rid of aphids on herbs
- Pale, silvery streaks or stippling and distorted leaves? Likely thrips. → How to get rid of thrips on herbs
- A white, powdery coating on the leaves? That’s powdery mildew, a fungal disease. → How to treat powdery mildew
The one almost every beginner meets: fungus gnats
If you’ve got little flies rising from the soil when you water, you’re not alone — it’s the most common problem beginners write to me about.
The good news is they’re easy to beat once you understand the cause: damp soil. In this video I show you exactly how I tackle them by sterilising my potting mix.
Then read the full guide → How to deal with fungus gnats
Prevention beats treatment
Most pests and diseases take hold when a plant is stressed or the conditions are off. A few simple habits prevent the majority of them:
- Don’t overwater. Soggy soil invites fungus gnats and root rot — let the top of the soil dry between waterings. (More on this in my watering and soil guides.)
- Give plants good light and airflow. Crowded, stagnant, humid conditions are what powdery mildew loves.
- Check new plants before you bring them home. Pests often hitch a ride in on a new herb.
- Catch it early. Glance at the undersides of leaves now and then — early problems are far easier to fix.
Prefer to watch?
I film how I deal with pests and problems as they come up in my own garden. New guides go up on the channel.