Marianne's Response

What’s This and How Do I Get Rid of It?

I have many Black Mondo Grass plants in my garden in pots, baskets and flowerbeds. A couple of the plants have these light tan creatures on the foliage. Can you tell me what it is and how do I get rid of them? I did take some rubbing alcohol and cotton pads and wiped some of the stems which removed some of them but it would be a tedious task to do every stem.

Posted by TomandLinda on May 1, 2021

Marianne's Response

Thank you for sending the image. It looks like rust, a fungal disease not on insect on the black mondo grass. This is caused by dampness and wet weather especially when plants are grown closed together and crowded. You could spray with a fungicide but in most cases this disease will clear up when the weather becomes drier. Try moving the potted plants under cover to keep the foliage drier and try not to wet the foliage when you water the pots and baskets. Good luck and Keep Growing, Marianne Binetti