Pest identification
What's eating my licorice fern?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine stippling and webbing on frond undersides; fronds turn pale and brittle in dry air
Control: Increase humidity; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days; rinse fronds with water
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters along the rhizome and frond bases; honeydew and slowed growth
Control: Remove with alcohol-soaked swab; apply neem oil spray weekly; isolate the plant until clear
Scale insects
Signs: Brown waxy bumps on frond midribs and rhizome; yellowing and frond die-back
Control: Scrape off with a soft brush; swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; treat with horticultural oil spray
Keep licorice fern pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Licorice Fern pests — FAQ
What is eating my licorice fern?
Licorice Fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza) kept as a houseplant most often suffers from spider mites in dry, heated rooms, and mealybugs in the creeping rhizome. Scale insects can also appear. Outdoors it is naturally resilient. Keeping humidity moderate and avoiding dry air heating drafts is the most effective prevention strategy.
How do I get rid of spider mites on licorice fern?
Fine stippling and webbing on frond undersides; fronds turn pale and brittle in dry air Increase humidity; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days; rinse fronds with water
How do I get rid of mealybugs on licorice fern?
White cottony clusters along the rhizome and frond bases; honeydew and slowed growth Remove with alcohol-soaked swab; apply neem oil spray weekly; isolate the plant until clear
How do I get rid of scale insects on licorice fern?
Brown waxy bumps on frond midribs and rhizome; yellowing and frond die-back Scrape off with a soft brush; swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; treat with horticultural oil spray