What's eating my fragrans maidenhair fern?

Fragrans Maidenhair Fern's delicate fronds are most threatened by spider mites, which thrive in the dry indoor air this fern hates anyway. Mealybugs and scale can also colonize stems and petioles. Fungus gnats are common when soil stays too wet. High humidity and careful watering prevent most pest outbreaks before they start.

Fine webbing on undersides of fronds; pale or bronze stippling; rapid frond desiccation and drop Raise humidity with a pebble tray or humidifier; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat every 5–7 days for 3 weeks

White cottony masses at stem joints and petiole bases; sticky residue; yellowing and wilting fronds Dab colonies with isopropyl alcohol; apply insecticidal soap spray; isolate and re-treat weekly

Small brown lumps on black wiry stems; honeydew and sooty mold; frond yellowing Carefully scrape off with a soft brush; treat with neem oil or alcohol; repeat treatment for 4–6 weeks

Larvae damage fine surface roots in wet soil; adults swarm near the pot; plant may wilt despite moist soil Allow soil surface to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bti drench to eliminate larvae