Pest identification
What's eating my lady in red fern?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing on frond undersides; stippled, dull frond surfaces; fronds dry out and brown quickly
Control: Raise humidity; rinse fronds with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray, repeating every 5–7 days
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony deposits in crown and along the distinctive red rachis; frond distortion; sticky honeydew
Control: Dab with isopropyl alcohol swab; spray with insecticidal soap; isolate plant and repeat treatment weekly
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae damage fine surface roots in wet soil; adult gnats fly around pot; plant may droop despite moist soil
Control: Allow top inch of soil to dry; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bti drench to kill larvae in the root zone
Keep lady in red fern pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Lady in Red Fern pests — FAQ
What is eating my lady in red fern?
Lady in Red Fern (Athyrium filix-femina 'Lady in Red') grown as a houseplant is most often troubled by spider mites in dry indoor air, and mealybugs in the crown. Fungus gnats breed when soil stays too wet. Scale can occasionally appear on the striking red stems. Maintaining high humidity and good drainage prevents most infestations.
How do I get rid of spider mites on lady in red fern?
Fine webbing on frond undersides; stippled, dull frond surfaces; fronds dry out and brown quickly Raise humidity; rinse fronds with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray, repeating every 5–7 days
How do I get rid of mealybugs on lady in red fern?
White cottony deposits in crown and along the distinctive red rachis; frond distortion; sticky honeydew Dab with isopropyl alcohol swab; spray with insecticidal soap; isolate plant and repeat treatment weekly
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on lady in red fern?
Larvae damage fine surface roots in wet soil; adult gnats fly around pot; plant may droop despite moist soil Allow top inch of soil to dry; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bti drench to kill larvae in the root zone