[Arid_gardener] RE: White foamy substance on plant

Wed Apr 18 17:38:52 MST 2007

ORIGINAL QUESTION:
Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2007 18:35:25 -0700
From: "Bill Woody" <billw-9 at msn.com>
Subject: [Arid_gardener] White foamy substance on plant

We have a Salvia Clevelandi (blue sage) which has several small balls or
clumps of white sticky substance looking like hand soap foam on it.  Each is
about 1/4 or 3/8 inch diameter.  Can someone identify this and describe
treatment, if any is needed?  Thanks very much.

Bill Woody

ANSWER:

Bill,

Your Salvia clevelandii has spittle bugs! They don't really cause any damage
to the plant, they just look kind of disgusting.
There is no real method of control other then periodically washing them off
with your garden hose.

Christine Bahto
Master Gardener, Maricopa County, U of A Cooperative Extension