Pest identification
What's eating my norfolk tree fern?
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or tan bumps on frond stems and trunk fibres; sticky honeydew; yellowing fronds
Control: Scrub off with a soft brush dipped in rubbing alcohol; apply horticultural oil spray; repeat monthly
Caterpillars (various moth larvae)
Signs: Ragged holes or entire frond sections eaten, visible droppings (frass) on foliage
Control: Hand-pick at dusk; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray to affected fronds
Slugs and snails
Signs: Silvery slime trails; irregular rasping damage on unfurling croziers and young fronds
Control: Apply iron phosphate pellets around the trunk base; use copper tape on containers; remove debris where slugs hide
Keep norfolk tree fern pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Norfolk Tree Fern pests — FAQ
What is eating my norfolk tree fern?
Norfolk Tree Fern (Cyathea brownii) is mainly threatened outdoors by scale insects and caterpillars that chew fronds, plus slugs and snails that rasp young croziers. In humid garden conditions, aphids may cluster on new growth. Scale is the most persistent and damaging threat, smothering stems and weakening the plant over time.
How do I get rid of scale insects on norfolk tree fern?
Brown or tan bumps on frond stems and trunk fibres; sticky honeydew; yellowing fronds Scrub off with a soft brush dipped in rubbing alcohol; apply horticultural oil spray; repeat monthly
How do I get rid of caterpillars (various moth larvae) on norfolk tree fern?
Ragged holes or entire frond sections eaten, visible droppings (frass) on foliage Hand-pick at dusk; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray to affected fronds
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on norfolk tree fern?
Silvery slime trails; irregular rasping damage on unfurling croziers and young fronds Apply iron phosphate pellets around the trunk base; use copper tape on containers; remove debris where slugs hide