Pest identification
What's eating my ghost fern?
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny pale dots and webbing across frond surfaces; fronds lose their silver sheen and look dusty or bronzed.
Control: Boost ambient humidity; rinse fronds with water regularly; treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap on a weekly schedule until clear.
Scale insects
Signs: Waxy or hard bumps on petioles and midribs; leaves yellow and the plant drops older fronds.
Control: Manually remove with an alcohol-dampened cloth or brush; follow up with horticultural oil spray every 7–10 days.
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony masses in frond crevices and near the crown; honeydew and sooty mold may appear.
Control: Apply isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab on each colony; spray whole plant with diluted neem oil weekly.
Keep ghost fern pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Ghost Fern pests — FAQ
What is eating my ghost fern?
Ghost Fern (Athyrium × 'Ghost') is a hybrid grown indoors as a statement foliage plant. Its main threats are spider mites in low humidity and scale on neglected specimens. Mealybugs occasionally colonize the silvery fronds. Fungus gnats can become a nuisance if the mix stays soggy. Good humidity and watchful care prevent most outbreaks.
How do I get rid of spider mites on ghost fern?
Tiny pale dots and webbing across frond surfaces; fronds lose their silver sheen and look dusty or bronzed. Boost ambient humidity; rinse fronds with water regularly; treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap on a weekly schedule until clear.
How do I get rid of scale insects on ghost fern?
Waxy or hard bumps on petioles and midribs; leaves yellow and the plant drops older fronds. Manually remove with an alcohol-dampened cloth or brush; follow up with horticultural oil spray every 7–10 days.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on ghost fern?
White cottony masses in frond crevices and near the crown; honeydew and sooty mold may appear. Apply isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab on each colony; spray whole plant with diluted neem oil weekly.