Pest identification
What's eating my boston fern?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale, yellowish stippling across fronds; fine webbing along midribs and between leaflets; fronds brown and dry out from tips inward.
Control: Shower the plant thoroughly with lukewarm water weekly; raise humidity with pebble trays or a humidifier; apply insecticidal soap spray; avoid hot, dry locations.
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluffy deposits at the base of fronds and in the crown; fronds yellow and growth weakens.
Control: Wipe off with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol; apply neem oil spray to the whole plant; repeat every 10 days.
Scale insects
Signs: Small brown or tan bumps on frond undersides and stems; yellowing leaflets; fronds may curl and die back.
Control: Scrape scales off manually; treat with horticultural oil or neem oil spray; repeat every 2 weeks for 2 months.
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae nibble fine roots in wet soil, causing yellowing and wilting; adult gnats swarm around the pot.
Control: Allow the top layer of soil to dry slightly between waterings; apply a Bti drench; use yellow sticky traps to catch adults.
Keep boston fern pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Boston fern pests — FAQ
What is eating my boston fern?
Boston ferns are highly susceptible to spider mites in dry indoor air — the most serious and common threat. Mealybugs shelter deep in frond bases, and scale insects attach to frond undersides. Fungus gnats breed readily in their constantly moist soil. High humidity and good air circulation are the best preventive measures.
How do I get rid of spider mites on boston fern?
Pale, yellowish stippling across fronds; fine webbing along midribs and between leaflets; fronds brown and dry out from tips inward. Shower the plant thoroughly with lukewarm water weekly; raise humidity with pebble trays or a humidifier; apply insecticidal soap spray; avoid hot, dry locations.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on boston fern?
White fluffy deposits at the base of fronds and in the crown; fronds yellow and growth weakens. Wipe off with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol; apply neem oil spray to the whole plant; repeat every 10 days.
How do I get rid of scale insects on boston fern?
Small brown or tan bumps on frond undersides and stems; yellowing leaflets; fronds may curl and die back. Scrape scales off manually; treat with horticultural oil or neem oil spray; repeat every 2 weeks for 2 months.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on boston fern?
Larvae nibble fine roots in wet soil, causing yellowing and wilting; adult gnats swarm around the pot. Allow the top layer of soil to dry slightly between waterings; apply a Bti drench; use yellow sticky traps to catch adults.