Pest identification
What's eating my brittle maidenhair fern?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing and pale stippling on pinnae; fronds become crispy and drop prematurely in low humidity
Control: Raise humidity urgently; shower gently with lukewarm water; apply very dilute insecticidal soap spray, testing on a single frond first
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony tufts in frond bases and crown; honeydew and sooty mould
Control: Dab clusters with isopropyl alcohol swab; spray crown carefully with dilute neem oil; isolate the plant
Scale insects
Signs: Small hard bumps on petioles and frond ribs; fronds yellow and growth slows
Control: Scrape off gently with a toothbrush; wipe with neem oil solution; avoid harsh pressure on brittle petioles
Keep brittle maidenhair fern pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Brittle Maidenhair Fern pests — FAQ
What is eating my brittle maidenhair fern?
Brittle Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum tenerum) has feathery, easily damaged fronds that are especially prone to spider mites when humidity drops and mealybugs in the crown. Scale can colonise the wiry petioles. Fungus gnats exploit its moist growing medium. This fern is sensitive to sprays, so dilute treatments carefully and test on one frond first.
How do I get rid of spider mites on brittle maidenhair fern?
Fine webbing and pale stippling on pinnae; fronds become crispy and drop prematurely in low humidity Raise humidity urgently; shower gently with lukewarm water; apply very dilute insecticidal soap spray, testing on a single frond first
How do I get rid of mealybugs on brittle maidenhair fern?
White cottony tufts in frond bases and crown; honeydew and sooty mould Dab clusters with isopropyl alcohol swab; spray crown carefully with dilute neem oil; isolate the plant
How do I get rid of scale insects on brittle maidenhair fern?
Small hard bumps on petioles and frond ribs; fronds yellow and growth slows Scrape off gently with a toothbrush; wipe with neem oil solution; avoid harsh pressure on brittle petioles