Pest identification
What's eating my drooping spleenwort?
Scale insects
Signs: Waxy brown or white bumps on frond undersides and stems; yellowing and frond drop
Control: Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; wipe with neem oil solution; inspect the crown and underside of every frond
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and fine webbing, worst on frond tips; fronds dry and curl in low humidity
Control: Increase ambient humidity; shower the plant; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray, repeating weekly for three applications
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluff at frond bases and crown; honeydew residue attracting mould
Control: Swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow up with insecticidal soap spray; isolate from other ferns
Keep drooping spleenwort pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Drooping Spleenwort pests — FAQ
What is eating my drooping spleenwort?
Drooping Spleenwort (Asplenium flaccidum) is a pendant-frond houseplant fern susceptible to scale insects along its graceful arching fronds and mealybugs at the crown. Spider mites attack in low humidity, causing frond tip browning. Fungus gnats can exploit damp compost. Good air circulation and humidity management keep most problems at bay.
How do I get rid of scale insects on drooping spleenwort?
Waxy brown or white bumps on frond undersides and stems; yellowing and frond drop Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; wipe with neem oil solution; inspect the crown and underside of every frond
How do I get rid of spider mites on drooping spleenwort?
Pale stippling and fine webbing, worst on frond tips; fronds dry and curl in low humidity Increase ambient humidity; shower the plant; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray, repeating weekly for three applications
How do I get rid of mealybugs on drooping spleenwort?
White fluff at frond bases and crown; honeydew residue attracting mould Swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; follow up with insecticidal soap spray; isolate from other ferns