Pest identification
What's eating my giant staghorn fern?
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or tan waxy bumps on the shield fronds and at the base of fertile fronds; yellowing and weakening growth
Control: Remove manually with a soft brush; apply insecticidal soap carefully avoiding the fuzzy fertile fronds; repeat weekly; do not scrub the white trichomes
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony masses at the junction of fertile and shield fronds; sticky secretions; fronds lose vigour
Control: Spot-treat with an alcohol swab; use insecticidal soap spray on smooth surfaces; take care around the trichome-covered fertile fronds
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and bronzing on fertile fronds; fine webbing in dry indoor conditions
Control: Increase humidity around the mount; lightly mist non-fuzzy areas; apply insecticidal soap spray, avoiding the waxy and hairy surfaces
Keep giant staghorn fern pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Giant Staghorn Fern pests — FAQ
What is eating my giant staghorn fern?
Giant Staghorn Fern (Platycerium superbum) is most commonly troubled by scale insects, which blend into the textured brown shield fronds and are easy to miss. Mealybugs shelter in the frond crevices. Spider mites strike in very dry indoor air. Never apply neem oil directly to the fuzzy fertile fronds — it can damage the surface trichomes.
How do I get rid of scale insects on giant staghorn fern?
Brown or tan waxy bumps on the shield fronds and at the base of fertile fronds; yellowing and weakening growth Remove manually with a soft brush; apply insecticidal soap carefully avoiding the fuzzy fertile fronds; repeat weekly; do not scrub the white trichomes
How do I get rid of mealybugs on giant staghorn fern?
White cottony masses at the junction of fertile and shield fronds; sticky secretions; fronds lose vigour Spot-treat with an alcohol swab; use insecticidal soap spray on smooth surfaces; take care around the trichome-covered fertile fronds
How do I get rid of spider mites on giant staghorn fern?
Pale stippling and bronzing on fertile fronds; fine webbing in dry indoor conditions Increase humidity around the mount; lightly mist non-fuzzy areas; apply insecticidal soap spray, avoiding the waxy and hairy surfaces