Do Cicadas Like Lavender

Do cicadas like lavender?
 
That’s a question many gardeners ask when they see these noisy insects swarming their yards each summer.
 
Cicadas don’t have a particular fondness for lavender, but they also don’t avoid it entirely.
 
In fact, cicadas are far more interested in trees and shrubs where they can feed on sap and lay their eggs, and lavender simply isn’t a primary target for them.
 
If you’ve been wondering whether cicadas like lavender plants enough to cause damage, the short answer is that lavender is not a preferred host for these insects.
 
However, understanding their behavior around aromatic herbs like lavender can help you protect your garden during those heavy emergence years.
 
In this post, we’ll explore whether cicadas like lavender, how these insects interact with your plants, and what you can do to keep both your lavender and your trees safe.
 
Let’s jump right in and uncover the truth about cicadas and this fragrant herb.
 

Why Cicadas Don’t Particularly Like Lavender

The reason cicadas don’t like lavender starts with their feeding habits.
 
Cicadas are sap-sucking insects that use their piercing mouthparts to tap into the xylem of woody plants.
 
They prefer plants with substantial stems and branches, like oak, maple, and fruit trees, because those provide the steady flow of nutrients they need.
 
Lavender, with its thin, woody base and narrow leaves, doesn’t offer the same kind of feeding opportunity.
 
So when people ask if cicadas like lavender, the evidence points to them mostly ignoring it unless they happen to land there temporarily.
 

1. Cicadas Prefer Trees Over Herbs

Cicadas like lavender bushes less than they like almost any tree in your landscape.
 
The primary reason is that female cicadas need to cut slits into twigs to lay their eggs, and they choose branches that are about the width of a pencil.
 
Lavender stems are often too thin or too brittle for this purpose, making them unattractive for egg-laying.
 
Male cicadas also congregate in trees to sing and attract mates, so they naturally gather where the canopy is tall and dense.
 
You won’t see large groups of cicadas hovering around lavender plants because that’s just not where they feel at home.
 

2. The Scent of Lavender Doesn’t Attract or Repel Cicadas

Another angle to consider when asking do cicadas like lavender is whether the strong fragrance matters.
 
Unlike mosquitoes or moths, cicadas don’t rely heavily on scent to find their food sources.
 
They locate plants primarily through visual cues and by sensing the vibrations of nearby cicadas.
 
So lavender’s essential oils don’t act as a powerful attractant or a deterrent.
 
Cicadas might land on lavender while exploring, but they won’t linger or feed there because the plant doesn’t meet their nutritional needs.
 
Essentially, lavender is neutral ground, not a destination.
 

3. Cicadas Are Root Feeders in Their Youth

To fully understand whether cicadas like lavender, you need to know their life cycle.
 
Cicadas spend most of their lives underground as nymphs, feeding on the roots of trees and perennial plants.
 
Lavender roots are fibrous and shallow, and they don’t store the kind of sugars and starches that cicada nymphs prefer.
 
So even at the nymph stage, cicadas are unlikely to target lavender root systems for nourishment.
 
This means your lavender is safe both above and below the soil from cicada damage.
 

How Cicadas Can Still Affect Lavender Gardens

While cicadas don’t like lavender as a food source, they can still indirectly impact your lavender patch.
 
During mass emergences like Brood X or Brood XIX, cicadas are everywhere, and their sheer numbers can cause accidental harm.
 
Let’s look at the few ways cicadas might interact with your lavender even if they don’t truly like it.
 

1. Egg-Laying Accidents on Thin Branches

Female cicadas can make mistakes when choosing where to lay eggs, especially if they’re desperate or confused.
 
While they prefer pencil-width twigs on trees, they might occasionally slash into lavender stems that are close to that size.
 
This damage is called flagging, where the branch tip dies and turns brown.
 
But even in this scenario, cicadas don’t like lavender enough to systematically destroy it, so the damage is usually minor and isolated.
 

2. Heavy Landing Pressure Can Break Stems

When cicadas like lavender plants temporarily as resting spots, they can weigh down delicate branches.
 
Imagine dozens of large insects landing on a single lavender shrub during a hot afternoon.
 
The physical weight might cause some stems to bend or snap, especially if the plant is young and tender.
 
However, healthy lavender is quite resilient, and most established plants will shake off a few cicada visitors without lasting harm.
 

3. Honeydew and Sooty Mold Issues

Cicadas excrete a sugary liquid called honeydew after feeding on tree sap.
 
If cicadas are feeding heavily in nearby trees, honeydew can drip down onto your lavender leaves below.
 
This sticky residue can attract ants and promote the growth of black sooty mold.
 
While sooty mold doesn’t directly kill lavender, it can block sunlight and make the plant look unsightly.
 
Still, this isn’t a sign that cicadas like lavender; it’s just a messy side effect of them feeding overhead.
 

How to Protect Lavender During Cicada Season

Even though cicadas don’t like lavender, you might still want to take a few easy steps to keep your garden pristine.
 
Protecting your lavender isn’t complicated, especially when you understand cicada behavior.
 

1. Use Fine Netting as a Barrier

If you’re worried about accidental egg-laying or heavy landings, draping fine insect netting over your lavender can help.
 
Make sure the netting has holes smaller than a cicada’s body, and secure it tightly around the base.
 
This physical barrier prevents cicadas from even touching your plants.
 
And since cicadas don’t like lavender enough to tunnel through, the netting will keep them away completely.
 

2. Keep Your Lavender Pruned and Healthy

Healthy lavender is more robust and can tolerate minor cicada contact without issues.
 
Prune your plants in early spring to encourage strong, woody growth that won’t easily break.
 
Avoid fertilizing heavily during cicada season because tender new growth is more attractive to egg-laying females.
 
A well-established lavender plant that’s slightly woody will fare much better than a floppy, over-fertilized one.
 

3. Hose Off Any Honeydew or Sooty Mold

If you notice sticky honeydew or black mold on your lavender after cicadas have been active nearby, just spray it off.
 
Use a gentle stream of water to rinse the leaves, and the mold will usually wash away.
 
Keep an eye on the area for a few days and repeat if necessary.
 
This keeps your lavender looking fresh and prevents any fungal issues from taking hold.
 

So, Do Cicadas Like Lavender?

Do cicadas like lavender? No, cicadas don’t like lavender as a food source or as a primary habitat.
 
They simply don’t have the biology or the behavior to be drawn to this aromatic herb.
 
While they might accidentally land on lavender or cause minor physical damage during massive emergences, they won’t actively seek out your plants.
 
Your lavender is safe from cicada feeding, and knowing this can bring you peace of mind.
 
Focus your protective efforts on your trees, especially young fruit trees, because that’s where cicadas will spend their time.
 
With proper care and a little netting for extra security, you can enjoy both the buzz of summer cicadas and the calming scent of lavender in your garden.
 
Now you know the truth about cicadas and lavender, so relax, breathe in that lovely fragrance, and let those noisy insects do their thing in the trees above.