Do Grasshoppers Like Lavender

Do grasshoppers like lavender?
 
Yes, grasshoppers do like lavender, but not for the reason you might think.
 
While they won’t flock to it as their first choice, lavender does attract grasshoppers in certain situations, especially when other food sources are scarce.
 
The question of whether grasshoppers like lavender is a bit layered, because these insects are primarily drawn to tender, leafy greens rather than aromatic herbs.
 
However, if you’ve noticed grasshoppers munching on your lavender plants, you’re not alone, and there are a few explanations for this behavior.
 
In this post, we’ll dig into whether grasshoppers like lavender, why they might nibble on it, and how to protect your garden if these jumpy visitors become a problem.
 
Let’s explore the relationship between grasshoppers and lavender so you know exactly what to expect.
 

Why Grasshoppers Might Be Attracted to Lavender

First, let’s address the core question again: do grasshoppers like lavender enough to eat it regularly?
 
The honest answer is that grasshoppers like lavender as a last-resort snack, not as a preferred meal.
 
These insects have a strong preference for soft, moisture-rich plants like grasses, clover, and vegetable leaves.
 
Lavender, with its woody stems and potent essential oils, isn’t exactly a grasshopper’s dream dinner.
 
Yet, when grasshopper populations explode or when their usual food runs out, they will test almost anything green, including lavender.
 

1. Scent and Taste Confusion

Lavender’s strong aroma comes from compounds like linalool and camphor, which typically repel many insects.
 
But grasshoppers have a less refined palate than you’d expect.
 
Young grasshoppers, called nymphs, are especially curious and will sample plants that older grasshoppers avoid.
 
So when you ask do grasshoppers like lavender, the answer for nymphs can be a cautious yes, as they’re still learning what’s edible.
 
Older grasshoppers tend to shy away from lavender’s intense fragrance, unless they’re starving.
 

2. Drought and Food Scarcity

Grasshoppers like lavender more during hot, dry summers when their favorite plants wilt or die off.
 
In drought conditions, grasshoppers become desperate and will chew on tougher, aromatic plants just to get any moisture or nutrition.
 
Your lavender might look like a salad bar to a hungry grasshopper when the surrounding field is brown and crispy.
 
This is why you’ll often see grasshopper damage on lavender in late summer rather than in early spring.
 

3. Shelter and Sunning Spots

Another reason grasshoppers like lavender is for shelter, not just food.
 
Lavender bushes offer dense, low foliage where grasshoppers can hide from birds and other predators.
 
The warm microclimate around lavender plants also makes them perfect sunning spots for grasshoppers to warm their bodies in the morning.
 
So even if grasshoppers don’t eat your lavender, they might still hang around it, which can lead to occasional nibbling.
 

Do Grasshoppers Like Lavender More Than Other Plants?

If you’re comparing lavender to other garden plants, grasshoppers like lavender far less than they like tender vegetables.
 
Grasshoppers will always choose lettuce, beans, corn, or young squash over lavender if given the option.
 
Lavender acts more like a decoy or a backup plan rather than a primary food source.
 
In fact, many gardeners plant lavender specifically as a companion plant, hoping its scent will deter pests.
 
Unfortunately, that strategy doesn’t always work with grasshoppers, since their feeding habits are driven by hunger more than smell.
 

1. How Grasshopper Feeding Habits Work

Grasshoppers have chewing mouthparts that slice through leaf tissue with ease.
 
They prefer broad, soft leaves because they’re easy to cut and digest.
 
Lavender leaves are narrow, leathery, and coated with fine hairs that release oils when damaged.
 
These oils can be bitter and even slightly toxic to grasshoppers in large amounts.
 
So while grasshoppers like lavender’s shelter, they don’t like its taste enough to make it a staple of their diet.
 

2. Variations Across Grasshopper Species

Not all grasshoppers are the same when it comes to food preferences.
 
Some species, like the differential grasshopper, are generalist feeders that will eat almost anything.
 
Others, like the red-legged grasshopper, show a stronger preference for grasses and grains.
 
If you’re dealing with a generalist species, then yes, grasshoppers like lavender more than you’d think.
 
But specialist species may completely ignore your lavender and focus on other plants entirely.
 

How to Keep Grasshoppers Away From Lavender

If you’ve noticed that grasshoppers like lavender in your garden and are causing damage, you can take a few practical steps to protect your plants.
 
These methods work whether grasshoppers are eating the leaves or just stripping the stems.
 

1. Use Floating Row Covers

A lightweight floating row cover is one of the most effective barriers against grasshoppers.
 
Drape it over your lavender plants during peak grasshopper activity, which is usually mid to late summer.
 
Make sure the edges are secured with soil or stakes so grasshoppers can’t crawl underneath.
 
This physical barrier stops grasshoppers from reaching the plants without using any chemicals.
 

2. Encourage Natural Predators

Birds, spiders, and predatory insects all love to eat grasshoppers.
 
You can make your garden more inviting to these helpful creatures by adding birdbaths, perches, and native flowering plants.
 
When you see grasshoppers around your lavender, remember that they are food for many animals.
 
Letting nature do its job can reduce grasshopper numbers without you lifting a finger.
 

3. Apply Neem Oil or Garlic Spray

Neem oil works as a natural deterrent because it disrupts grasshopper feeding and molting.
 
Mix a few drops of neem oil with water and a mild soap, then spray your lavender thoroughly, especially on the undersides of leaves.
 
Alternatively, a homemade garlic spray can mask the scent of lavender and confuse grasshoppers.
 
Reapply these sprays after rain or heavy dew to maintain their effectiveness.
 

So, Do Grasshoppers Like Lavender?

Do grasshoppers like lavender? Yes, but only under certain conditions.
 
Grasshoppers like lavender as a food source when they’re starving, as a shelter when they need cover, and as a sunning spot when they need warmth.
 
Yet, given a choice between lavender and nearly any leafy green vegetable, grasshoppers will almost always pick the softer option.
 
If you’re planting lavender in hopes of repelling grasshoppers, you might be disappointed.
 
And if you’re worried about grasshoppers destroying your lavender, rest assured that it’s not their favorite meal.
 
Keep your lavender healthy, provide alternatives for grasshoppers, and use barriers if needed, and your plants should survive just fine.
 
So while grasshoppers like lavender on a basic level, they don’t love it enough to cause serious damage in most gardens.