What's eating my hare's foot fern?

Hare's Foot Fern (Phlebodium pseudoaureum) is vulnerable to scale insects and mealybugs, which hide along the furry surface rhizomes. Spider mites attack the blue-green fronds in dry conditions. The exposed rhizomes make early detection easier — check them closely every time you water.

Hard waxy bumps on rhizomes and frond stalks; fronds yellow and lose vigour over several weeks. Pick off scales manually, clean rhizomes with a soft damp cloth, and apply neem oil; repeat every 7–10 days.

White cottony masses nestled in the furry rhizome surface and at frond bases; honeydew residue attracts sooty mould. Swab colonies with 70% isopropyl alcohol and follow with weekly neem oil spray until no new colonies appear.

Pale stippling and fine webbing on frond surfaces; fronds may turn bronze and drop in serious infestations. Raise humidity, rinse fronds in a lukewarm shower, and treat with insecticidal soap every 5–7 days for three cycles.