Aubergines: Pests & Diseases
Aubergines usually perform best in a warm greenhouse, conservatory or sheltered sunny position in the UK. They enjoy steady warmth, feeding and watering, but stagnant air and stressed plants soon attract pests or develop mould. Compact varieties are useful for containers and shorter northern seasons.
Common pests
Aphids cluster around growing tips, flowers and leaf undersides, causing curling and sticky honeydew. Glasshouse whitefly flies up in a small cloud when foliage is disturbed and leaves honeydew behind. Red spider mite is favoured by dry, hot conditions under glass, producing pale stippling and fine webbing. Slugs and snails may damage young plants after they are moved outside.
Common diseases
Grey mould is common on flowers, stems and damaged fruit where humidity is high or air movement is poor. Verticillium wilt can cause yellowing, wilting and browning within stems, often persisting in soil. Root rots may follow overwatering in cold compost. Viral diseases are less frequent but can cause mottled leaves and distorted growth, especially where aphids are present.
Prevention
Grow aubergines in fresh, free-draining compost or rotate beds away from other solanaceous crops. Give each plant room, tie stems in early and ventilate protected spaces daily without chilling plants. Water at the base and avoid wetting foliage or flowers late in the day. Clean pots, tools and greenhouse surfaces between seasons. Choose healthy plants and avoid reusing compost from diseased specimens.
Non-chemical control
Pinch out small aphid colonies or rinse them from robust shoots, then encourage hoverflies and lacewings around the greenhouse entrance. Introduce Encarsia for whitefly and Phytoseiulus for red spider mite under suitable protected conditions. Remove mouldy flowers, fruit and leaves immediately. Use copper-free slug barriers or physical collars around outdoor young plants, and hand-pick slugs at dusk.
What to look for
From planting until harvest, inspect shoot tips and leaf undersides weekly for aphids, whitefly and mite stippling. In hot weather, check more often for webbing. Look closely at flowers, branch junctions and ripening fruit for grey mould, and investigate any plant that wilts despite moist compost.
Tips
Keep warmth and watering as even as possible, as sudden stress can cause flowers or fruit to drop. Harvest fruit while glossy and firm, cutting rather than pulling. Remove tired lower leaves only when they are yellow or diseased.
Aubergines pests & diseases: frequently asked questions
What are the common pests of aubergines?
Aphids cluster around growing tips, flowers and leaf undersides, causing curling and sticky honeydew.
What diseases affect aubergines?
Grey mould is common on flowers, stems and damaged fruit where humidity is high or air movement is poor.
How do I prevent pests and diseases on aubergines?
Grow aubergines in fresh, free-draining compost or rotate beds away from other solanaceous crops.
General guidance for UK home gardens, focused on prevention and non-chemical control. The RHS or a local garden centre can help with tricky cases. Page updated 18 Sep 2026.