What's eating my fishtail palm?

Fishtail palm is troubled by the same indoor pest trio as other houseplant palms: spider mites, scale insects, and mealybugs. Spider mites are the most common problem, particularly in centrally heated rooms. The distinctive bipinnate leaflets create many hiding places for mealybugs. Regular inspection of the crown and leaf undersides, combined with good humidity, is the best defence.

Fine pale stippling and bronzing of the distinctive wedge-shaped leaflets; webbing on undersides; fronds yellow and dry. Shower the plant to knock off mites; maintain humidity above 50%; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly until gone.

Hard shell-like bumps on petioles and along frond mid-ribs; honeydew and black sooty mould below. Scrape off manually; apply horticultural oil spray; repeat every 10 days for three cycles minimum.

White waxy fluff in the crown and at the junction of leaflets; distorted new growth; yellowing fronds. Dab colonies with isopropyl alcohol; follow with neem oil spray on all leaf surfaces; inspect the crown carefully.