Pest identification
What's eating my golden tree fern?
Scale insects
Signs: Hard or soft bumps on frond stems; honeydew and sooty mould; frond yellowing and die-back
Control: Wipe with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab; spray horticultural oil; isolate the plant and repeat every two weeks
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing on frond undersides; stippled, bronzed foliage; fronds curl inward in severe cases
Control: Increase humidity; mist fronds regularly; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray weekly until clear
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae chew fine roots in moist trunk fibre and compost; adults are a nuisance; seedling vigour reduced
Control: Allow surface to dry slightly between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; drench with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti)
Keep golden tree fern pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Golden Tree Fern pests — FAQ
What is eating my golden tree fern?
Golden Tree Fern (Dicksonia fibrosa) kept as a houseplant or sheltered garden specimen is most troubled by scale insects clinging to frond stems, and spider mites in dry indoor air. Fungus gnats breed in the perpetually moist trunk medium. Scale is the single worst threat, often going unnoticed until fronds yellow.
How do I get rid of scale insects on golden tree fern?
Hard or soft bumps on frond stems; honeydew and sooty mould; frond yellowing and die-back Wipe with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab; spray horticultural oil; isolate the plant and repeat every two weeks
How do I get rid of spider mites on golden tree fern?
Fine webbing on frond undersides; stippled, bronzed foliage; fronds curl inward in severe cases Increase humidity; mist fronds regularly; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray weekly until clear
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on golden tree fern?
Larvae chew fine roots in moist trunk fibre and compost; adults are a nuisance; seedling vigour reduced Allow surface to dry slightly between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; drench with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti)