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Baby’s breath, also known as Gypsophila is a popular filler flower known for its delicate misty appearance. Its wispy blooms come in shades of white, pink and purple. While generally easy to grow, baby’s breath can fall victim to boring insects. Borers are moth larvae that chew their way through plant stems and roots. An infestation can seriously damage or kill baby’s breath.
When it comes to pest management, it’s always best to start with prevention. You can help safeguard your baby’s breath from borers by providing good growing conditions. Once you spot signs of an infestation, there are effective organic remedies to get rid of the borers.
Prevent Borers on Baby’s Breath
The best defense is a good offense when dealing with pests Here are some tips to help prevent borers on baby’s breath
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Ensure good air circulation – Baby’s breath thrives in well-ventilated areas. Avoid overcrowding plants, which creates a humid environment appealing to pests.
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Improve drainage – Wet soil encourages boring insects. Plant baby’s breath in sandy, fast-draining soil.
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Prune regularly – Remove old stems and flower heads where pests like to lay eggs. Pruning also opens up air flow.
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Use row covers – Cover plants with fabric row covers to form a physical barrier against moths.
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Clean up debris – Borers overwinter in plant litter. Remove fallen leaves and stems where they hide.
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Check new plants – Inspect baby’s breath thoroughly before bringing home from nurseries. Don’t introduce pests.
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Rotate crops – Moving baby’s breath to different garden spots each year disrupts pest cycles.
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Grow nectar plants – Flowers like buckwheat attract beneficial insects that prey on borer eggs and larvae.
Identify Borers on Baby’s Breath
Catching borer infestations early allows for quicker control. Look for these signs:
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Speckling on leaves and stems – Larvae chew holes creating a “shotgun” effect of tiny dots.
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Bumps or swellings on stems – Tunneling larvae cause bulges under the surface.
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Wilting stems and leaves – Damaged plants lose their vigor and wilt.
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Cottony residue – Some borer species leave behind filmy, web-like trails.
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Holes in stems and roots – Tunnels dug by borers form small holes.
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Sawdust-like material – Chewed up debris left behind by boring insects.
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Sudden plant death – Heavily infested baby’s breath can decline rapidly.
Catch infestations early by frequently checking for symptoms. Peel back stems to look for signs of tunneling. Check the base of plants for sawdust-like material.
Organic Borer Treatments
If you spot a borer infestation, there are several effective organic remedies:
Neem Oil
Extracted from the neem tree, this oil smothers and deters pests. Mix neem oil with water and spray stems and leaves. It’s safe for most plants. Repeat applications are needed.
Insecticidal Soap
This soap-based spray kills small, soft-bodied insects like borers. It can also disrupt eggs and larvae development. Spray baby’s breath weekly until pests are gone.
Beneficial Nematodes
These microscopic worms prey on soil-dwelling pests. Apply nematodes near borer-damaged plants. They help reduce larvae in the soil.
Diatomaceous Earth
This powder made from crushed fossils cuts into borer bodies, leading to dehydration. Lightly dust stems and soil of infested plants. Reapply after rain or watering.
Remove Damaged Growth
Prune off borer-infested stems, blooms and leaves. This eliminates larvae and pupae. Throw away debris – don’t compost. Sterilize pruners between cuts.
Solarize Soil
Cover infested garden soil tightly with plastic sheeting during hot summer months. The heat kills pests and larvae in the soil.
Most Common Borers on Baby’s Breath
Several moth species commonly prey on baby’s breath. Knowing which one you’re dealing with can help guide control methods:
Iris Borer
Signs:
- Reddish-brown larvae up to 2″ long
- Large, irregular tunnels
- Sawdust-like frass near base of plants
- Withering foliage
Controls: Remove and destroy heavily damaged rhizomes. Beneficial nematodes target larvae in soil.
Strawberry Crown Borer
Signs:
- White larvae to 1″ long with brown head
- Tunnels in crowns and roots near soil surface
- Wilting, dying foliage
Controls: Solarize soil to overheat larvae. Use insecticidal soap drenches.
Rose Borer
Signs:
- Creamy white larvae to 1 1/4″ long
- Jagged tunnels under bark
- Excessive thorns on stems
- Dead canes
Controls: Prune out infested canes. Apply neem oil to stems and buds.
Rhododendron Borer
Signs:
- Brown larvae up to 1 1/2″ long
- Tunnels in tender twigs
- Dieback of shoots
- Hollowed stems
Controls: Prune and destroy infested branches. Use pheromone traps.
Lilac Borer
Signs:
- Creamy-white larvae to 1 1/2″
- Holes with brownish discharge
- Swollen, cracked stems
- Dieback
Controls: Remove and dispose damaged branches. Spray neem oil on stems.
Prevent Borers by Caring for Baby’s Breath
The best offense against borers is proper baby’s breath care. Here are some tips:
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Sun – Grow baby’s breath in full sun. It helps plants resist pests.
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Soil – Well-drained, average soil keeps plants healthy and vigorous.
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Water – Don’t overwater. Damp soil attracts boring insects.
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Fertilizer – Use a balanced fertilizer to nourish plants without overfeeding.
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Spacing – Avoid crowding baby’s breath. Allow 1-3 feet between plants for air flow.
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Pruning – Regularly remove dead stems, blooms and foliage. Discard debris.
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Cleanliness – Pick up fallen leaves and petals where pests live. Keep area neat.
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Crop rotation – Move baby’s breath to different location each year to disrupt pest cycles.
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Check often – Monitor for borer damage and treat early before infestations take hold.
Protect Baby’s Breath Naturally
Keeping borers away from baby’s breath starts with prevention. Inspect plants routinely and be ready to take action at the first sign of invaders. When pests do strike, organic solutions like neem oil and insecticidal soap provide effective control without the harsh chemicals. With some diligence, you can help ensure your baby’s breath continues blooming beautifully and healthfully.
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Planting, Growing, and Caring for Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila)
Famous as that filler flower in bouquets, baby’s breath is coming into its own as a feature flower in perennial gardens. Its tiny white flowers bloom from summer through fall. Learn how to successfully plant, grow, and care for baby’s breath.
The baby’s breath flower we know belongs to the genus Gypsophila. You’re probably most familiar with the perennial form of baby’s breath, which is a popular ‘behind-the-scenes’ filler in bouquets, often setting off more colorful, larger blooms such as roses. It’s a common Valentine’s Day and wedding flower as well and, fittingly, a symbol of everlasting love. See the Meaning of Flowers.
In flower gardens, the small, delicate 5-petaled flowers and light green stems create an airy look that’s perfect for perennial beds, cottage gardens, and cutting gardens. It nicely hides die-back from spring bulbs and flowers. Plant in groupings. Cut it back after flowering to encourage more blooms. We think baby’s breath looks lovely in a vase all on its own in big billowy sprays.
While white is the most common color, baby’s breath comes in shades of pink, too! Blooming from late spring or summer through the fall, you can find baby’s breath in the wild in fields, roadsides, and open sandy areas. It’s drought-resistant and deer-resistant as well.
While they are dainty and beautiful, they are mildly toxic to pets and can be an irritant to humans, so don’t eat them or let Fido chew on them.
Also, check your state’s invasive plant list before growing baby’s breath. Gypsophila paniculata is considered an invasive species or a noxious weed in many Western states and other areas like the Great Lakes. In these areas, you may be able to grow annual varieties. Read Next
Baby’s breath likes full sun in northern regions and morning sun with a bit of afternoon shade in hotter climates. Hardy to USDA zones 3 to 9, it will grow in most areas of the US. Poor, sandy, or otherwise less fertile soil is fine for Gypsohila. Fertile soil or too much fertilizer can cause excessive vegetative growth and floppy stems, easily knocked down by wind or rain.
It needs well-drained alkaline to neutral soil, not strongly acidic. Excellent drainage is vital, and Gypsophila spp. are likely to suffer from root rot in heavier soils with poor drainage.
When to Plant Baby’s Breath
Start baby’s breath from seed indoors about 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Perennial varieties can be started as much as ten weeks early.
Direct seeding can be done once the soil warms. Wait to transplant seedlings started indoors until after your last frost.
Care Tips for Baby’s Breath
How do you repot Baby’s Breath?
Although it is a cold hardy plant, potted baby’s breath cannot handle freezing temperatures. Relocate the container to a spot in the ground or place it inside a larger container. When the root systems have matured, repot baby’s breath using fresh potting soil. The best time to do this is in the spring.
What can I do to get rid of bad breath?
There are various ways to get rid of bad breath like brushing and flossing more often, rinsing your mouth out, scraping your tongue, avoiding foods that sour your breath like onions and garlic, kicking the tobacco habit, skipping after-dinner mints and chewing gum instead, keep your gums healthy, moisten your mouth, and see your doctor.
Do Baby Breath plants need repotting?
Baby’s breath make good container plants. Use a pot with large drainage holes and fill it with well-draining potting mix. Keep in mind that container plants require more frequent watering and fertilization than plants in the landscape. Annual baby’s breath is so short-lived that it won’t need repotting.
How do you grow Baby’s Breath?
Prepare the soil bed and rake smooth. Plant in shallow trenches and press into the soil but do not cover. Water gently to keep the soil moist until the seeds sprout. Once true leaves appear, thin to 1-2 plants every 12 inches. Baby’s breath is easy to grow, so easy it takes off in some areas of the country.