What's eating my fragrant maidenhair fern?

Fragrant Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum raddianum 'Fragrans') is highly sensitive indoors and is most commonly harassed by spider mites when air is too dry. Scale and mealybugs can settle along delicate stems. Fungus gnats breed readily in the moist conditions this fern prefers. Consistent humidity is the best defence.

Pale speckled or bronzed fronds; fine webbing on stems; fronds dry out and drop in low humidity Raise humidity above 50% with a pebble tray or humidifier; shower the plant; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly

Small brown bumps on wiry black stems and frond undersides; sticky residue, yellowing fronds Dab with a neem-soaked cotton swab; apply insecticidal soap spray; repeat every 7–10 days; ferns can be sensitive to some sprays — test on one frond first

White fluffy deposits at stem joints and frond bases; weakened new growth Remove with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; follow up with neem oil; repeat every week until clear

Larvae in the moist compost damage fine roots; adults fly up when soil is disturbed Allow only the very surface of compost to dry between waterings; use Bti soil drench; yellow sticky traps for adults