Hollyhocks are a garden favorite, but they aren’t without their fair share of uninvited guests. From hungry slugs to pesky little beetles, several critters can do a number on your plants. If you’ve noticed your flowers looking a bit worse for wear, here’s the lowdown on the most common hollyhock pests and exactly how to handle them.
Dealing with Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails can be a real headache if they decide to make a buffet out of your hollyhocks. These slimy visitors love to munch on hollyhock leaves, and if the infestation gets out of hand, it’s more than just an eyesore. Without enough leaf surface, the plant can’t handle photosynthesis properly, which means it won’t have the energy it needs to thrive.
The usual suspects you’ll find on your hollyhocks include:
- Slugs and snails
- Beetles
- Weevils (specifically the hollyhock weevil)
To keep your plants healthy, you’ll want to clear these guys out as soon as possible. Luckily, the fix is pretty straightforward: the easiest way is to just head out and hand-pick them off the plants. While you can find slug baits at the store, I usually recommend avoiding harsh chemicals in your garden whenever possible to keep your soil and local ecosystem happy.
The Beetle Problem: Meet the Hollyhock Weevil
One of the most specific pests you’ll run into is the hollyhock weevil (sometimes called the “long-snouted hollyhock mouse” in Europe). This little beetle has a long snout that it uses to bore holes into closed flower buds to lay its eggs. The real bummer here is that this process destroys the seeds inside.
If you’re planning on harvesting seeds after the blooming season to grow new plants next year, keep a sharp eye out. Check your seeds for tiny holes; if you see them, those seeds likely won’t germinate. There’s nothing more frustrating than putting in all that work to start seeds only to realize they were duds from the start!
The good news? Getting rid of these beetles is actually kind of fun. They have a natural defense mechanism where they drop to the ground the moment they feel threatened. You can use this to your advantage: grab a bowl or a bucket, hold it right under the plant, and give the stalk a firm (but gentle!) tap. The beetles will fall right into your container, and you can relocate them far away from your prize flowers.
