What's eating my bird's nest fern?

Bird's Nest Fern's worst pest is scale insects, which cling to fronds and stems. Mealybugs colonise the central rosette's base where they are hard to reach. In very dry rooms, spider mites cause frond bronzing. Fungus gnats breed in damp, humus-rich compost. Never spray insecticide directly into the central crown.

Brown waxy bumps on frond midribs and stems; yellowing fronds; sticky honeydew coating lower leaves Wipe fronds carefully with a cotton pad soaked in soapy water or isopropyl alcohol; apply neem oil to stems; repeat monthly

White cottony masses deep inside the central cup/rosette where fronds emerge; slow, stunted new growth Use a cotton bud with isopropyl alcohol to reach inside the crown carefully; treat with neem oil without flooding the cup

Bronze, dull fronds with fine speckling; webbing visible under fronds; triggered by low humidity and dry air Raise humidity with a pebble tray or nearby humidifier; mist fronds (avoid the cup); treat with insecticidal soap

Larvae attack roots in rich moist compost; adults fly around the plant; stunted fronds in severe cases Allow the surface compost to dry slightly between waterings; use sticky yellow traps; apply Bti biological drench