Pest identification
What's eating my leathery polypody?
Scale insects
Signs: Hard brown discs on frond undersides and rhizomes; yellowing frond edges and honeydew
Control: Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil, targeting frond undersides; repeat fortnightly
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters in leaf axils and rhizome folds; fronds pale and sticky
Control: Dab with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; follow with weekly neem oil sprays for a month
Spider mites
Signs: Fine stippling on upper frond surface; webbing on undersides; fronds dull and dry-looking
Control: Increase humidity, shower the fronds, and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7 days
Keep leathery polypody pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Leathery Polypody pests — FAQ
What is eating my leathery polypody?
Leathery Polypody (Polypodium scouleri) is a tough coastal fern grown as a houseplant. Indoors it is most vulnerable to scale insects, which grip the thick leathery fronds and creeping rhizomes. Mealybugs and spider mites also occur in dry conditions. Good humidity and regular wiping of fronds discourage all three.
How do I get rid of scale insects on leathery polypody?
Hard brown discs on frond undersides and rhizomes; yellowing frond edges and honeydew Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil, targeting frond undersides; repeat fortnightly
How do I get rid of mealybugs on leathery polypody?
White cottony clusters in leaf axils and rhizome folds; fronds pale and sticky Dab with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; follow with weekly neem oil sprays for a month
How do I get rid of spider mites on leathery polypody?
Fine stippling on upper frond surface; webbing on undersides; fronds dull and dry-looking Increase humidity, shower the fronds, and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7 days