---
title: "Hi! Total newbie to the plant world. I planted this zahara yellow…"
description: "Hi! Total newbie to the plant world. I planted this zahara yellow zinnia and the leaves have these holes in some of them. Plants says it’s snails but I can’t…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/CQDcNKuFT2eBWinfsTKHmQ/-G7rWq_TT_KyLEIfJhynww"
community: "Gardening and Outdoor"
author: "Astrid"
published: "2024-06-02T02:01:08.351679Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/WVQ18hfrX9c0cduQt2OLw9MDEtG4R9dMOjAI53Q6KSA/qBr75HtcQPuDSE5VBjg2gg.webp?size=large"
---

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# Hi! Total newbie to the plant world. I planted this zahara yellow…

_Posted by Astrid on 2024-06-02_

Hi! Total newbie to the plant world. I planted this zahara yellow zinnia and the leaves have these holes in some of them. Plants says it’s snails but I can’t find any.  
Tips? Ideas?? Thanks!!!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/WVQ18hfrX9c0cduQt2OLw9MDEtG4R9dMOjAI53Q6KSA/qBr75HtcQPuDSE5VBjg2gg.webp?size=large)

## 10 comments

### Ji11 commented on 2024-06-02

Snails are more active at night. If you see slime residue on the leaves it’s snails. I’ve never dealt with them but I’ve seen people use shallow containers with beer to catch and drown them

#### Ji11 replied on 2024-06-02

Also if you “top” your plants you’ll get more blooms. They seem short to be flowering already.

#### Astrid replied on 2024-06-02

I’m so nervous to start topping! I’m researching how to do it right! Any tips?

#### Ji11 replied on 2024-06-02

I’ll top this basil… just above the set of leaves here.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/fBH_28A5qaP2hoVvraoji7PuhH2kRqkI0DYvYyUVg94/_WSSe2oLQ9mYm9Mq7kVFjQ.webp?size=large)

#### Ji11 replied on 2024-06-02

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/fBH_28A5qaP2hoVvraoji7PuhH2kRqkI0DYvYyUVg94/3wnA_GLQTiGqIXpOx_hypA.webp?size=large)

#### Ji11 replied on 2024-06-02

This side was topped off before and two new shoots came out

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/fBH_28A5qaP2hoVvraoji7PuhH2kRqkI0DYvYyUVg94/BVfbvnqkTZyi7Z90MmEpGA.webp?size=large)

_2 more replies in the app_

### Adrian commented on 2024-06-02

As someone who’s had garden snails as terrarium pets before, completely agree with checking for slime or any weird semi-sticky, semi-dried residue, most likely clear in color. I have yet to have an issue with snails per say, but I did find some slugs deep in the soil of my hostas after buying them that crawled out from their spot in the roots and resurfaced at the top of the soil. My best advice is to check the soil and undersides of any uneaten leaves. Hope this helps! If you really can’t find any slugs or snails, or extra moisture in the soil that could draw them there, the next culprit could be aphids, ladybugs included. I think the pattern of the holes looks more like the work of an aphid or other insect rather than a snail, though, at least from my experience with them.

#### Astrid replied on 2024-06-02

Thank you!! I will do all those things!

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