Foamy white stuff on my plants - HELP!!

[janidob]

Last week I noticed white foamy stuff on my tomato plants and sprayed them.

Now I have it on my rosemary and a couple of different flowers!

Help!!!!

I need to know what it is and get rid of it.

Thanks!!!

Janidob
zone 8

[txbeyer]

I am not sure what it is other than an insect laying eggs and the foamy stuff protects the eggs from predators. I have had this on my plants in the past and it never did any damage to them. As a Master Gardener who uses Integrated Pest Management for any disease or insect problem, using toxic chemical sprays is more harmful than good when the problem doesn't warrant it. Just hit it with a sharp hose spray if you don't want to see it , it's just that easy.

[PlantSwap]

I've had foamy white stuff in my gardens before, but it was always on the ground. In my case, it was a harmless fungus that dies a few days later. It was growing in the hardwood mulch mix I had spread on the beds.

[janidob]

I do understand about pesticides. I have had a problem with Bloom Rot on my tomatoes this year and have had to spray them.

I don't spay any other pesticides!

I will wash away the foam tonight~~

Thank you both. I was just afraid of being infested!!

The mosquitos, flies and fleas have been bad enough this year......

Janidob

[addicted2plumeria]

Bloom rot on tomatos is normally caused by a calcium defency.

[erin3598]

It's called spittle bug! The mass of bubbles is called "spittle" and is where the insect gets its name. Most of the time the spittle bugs are completely hidden inside the spittle. Spittle bugs normally do not achieve high enough populations to cause damage.

[irisgirl]

We see this white foam occasionally in our garden. My husband always says be careful because it's "snake spit." I've found no snakes or proof that any snakes have been in the garden, but careful nonetheless. The foam seems to go away by afternoon or the next morning.

[zuzu's petals]

Hi Irisgirl, welcome to Plant Swap, very glad to have you with us.

"Snake Spit" is something that it's sometimes called, but erin3598 is exactly right about the Spittle bugs (Leaf Hopper nymphs).
There is some fine information about them HERE.

Still, it's always a good idea to keep a sharp eye out while you are in your garden.