Pest identification
What's eating my hart's tongue fern?
Scale insects
Signs: Waxy brown or yellow bumps on frond ribs and undersides, close to the linear sori; sticky honeydew
Control: Wipe fronds with a neem-soaked cloth; scrape off scales; repeat insecticidal soap or neem oil treatments weekly for a month
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters at the frond base and in the crown; stunted unfurling croziers
Control: Alcohol swab for direct removal; neem oil spray as follow-up; isolate plant to prevent spread
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale stippling across frond surfaces; webbing in very dry indoor air
Control: Boost humidity; wipe fronds with a damp cloth; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, covering undersides
Keep hart's tongue fern pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Hart's Tongue Fern pests — FAQ
What is eating my hart's tongue fern?
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium) grown as a houseplant is bothered mainly by scale insects and mealybugs on its broad, glossy strap fronds. Low indoor humidity encourages spider mites. Fungus gnats are common when soil stays too wet. Check the frond undersides — scale camouflages well against the sori.
How do I get rid of scale insects on hart's tongue fern?
Waxy brown or yellow bumps on frond ribs and undersides, close to the linear sori; sticky honeydew Wipe fronds with a neem-soaked cloth; scrape off scales; repeat insecticidal soap or neem oil treatments weekly for a month
How do I get rid of mealybugs on hart's tongue fern?
White cottony clusters at the frond base and in the crown; stunted unfurling croziers Alcohol swab for direct removal; neem oil spray as follow-up; isolate plant to prevent spread
How do I get rid of spider mites on hart's tongue fern?
Fine pale stippling across frond surfaces; webbing in very dry indoor air Boost humidity; wipe fronds with a damp cloth; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, covering undersides