Pest identification
What's eating my asparagus fern?
Spider mites
Signs: Yellowing or browning of the fine needle-like cladodes; thin webbing coating the stems; overall dull or dried appearance.
Control: Mist the plant daily or move to a humid spot; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap, coating all stems; repeat weekly.
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy fluff at stem joints and in dense clumps of cladodes; yellowing growth; sticky honeydew.
Control: Dab with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs; follow with neem oil spray; isolate plant and treat again in 10 days.
Scale insects
Signs: Small brownish bumps along stems; weakened or yellowing growth; honeydew leading to sooty mold.
Control: Scrape scales off stems; apply horticultural oil spray; repeat treatment in 2 weeks to catch emerging crawlers.
Aphids
Signs: Soft insects clustered on tender new shoots; curled growth; sticky residue on stems.
Control: Rinse with a strong stream of water; apply insecticidal soap spray; repeat every few days until populations disappear.
Keep asparagus fern pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Asparagus fern pests — FAQ
What is eating my asparagus fern?
Asparagus fern (Asparagus aethiopicus) is most commonly attacked by spider mites, which thrive in the warm, dry conditions these plants often experience indoors. Mealybugs and scale also occur. Outdoors, aphids can colonize the soft new growth. Frequent misting or a humidifier, along with monthly neem oil applications, keeps the feathery fronds healthy and vibrant.
How do I get rid of spider mites on asparagus fern?
Yellowing or browning of the fine needle-like cladodes; thin webbing coating the stems; overall dull or dried appearance. Mist the plant daily or move to a humid spot; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap, coating all stems; repeat weekly.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on asparagus fern?
White waxy fluff at stem joints and in dense clumps of cladodes; yellowing growth; sticky honeydew. Dab with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs; follow with neem oil spray; isolate plant and treat again in 10 days.
How do I get rid of scale insects on asparagus fern?
Small brownish bumps along stems; weakened or yellowing growth; honeydew leading to sooty mold. Scrape scales off stems; apply horticultural oil spray; repeat treatment in 2 weeks to catch emerging crawlers.
How do I get rid of aphids on asparagus fern?
Soft insects clustered on tender new shoots; curled growth; sticky residue on stems. Rinse with a strong stream of water; apply insecticidal soap spray; repeat every few days until populations disappear.