Pest identification
What's eating my northern maidenhair fern?
Spider mites
Signs: Stippled, silvery-bronze fronds; webbing at stem nodes; rapid frond drop in heated indoor air
Control: Increase humidity; rinse fronds with tepid water; treat with insecticidal soap or dilute neem oil, focusing on undersides
Scale insects
Signs: Hard or soft bumps on the dark, wiry stems; honeydew deposits leading to mould
Control: Physically remove with a soft brush; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7–10 days; monitor for several weeks
Fungus gnats
Signs: Root feeding by larvae in damp compost; swarms of tiny flies near the soil
Control: Let surface compost dry slightly; drench with Bti; use yellow sticky traps for adult monitoring
Keep northern maidenhair fern pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Northern Maidenhair Fern pests — FAQ
What is eating my northern maidenhair fern?
Northern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum) kept indoors is most threatened by spider mites during dry winters. Scale insects and mealybugs may also colonise the delicate arching stems. Fungus gnats are common in consistently moist soil. High humidity and good air circulation are the first line of defence.
How do I get rid of spider mites on northern maidenhair fern?
Stippled, silvery-bronze fronds; webbing at stem nodes; rapid frond drop in heated indoor air Increase humidity; rinse fronds with tepid water; treat with insecticidal soap or dilute neem oil, focusing on undersides
How do I get rid of scale insects on northern maidenhair fern?
Hard or soft bumps on the dark, wiry stems; honeydew deposits leading to mould Physically remove with a soft brush; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7–10 days; monitor for several weeks
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on northern maidenhair fern?
Root feeding by larvae in damp compost; swarms of tiny flies near the soil Let surface compost dry slightly; drench with Bti; use yellow sticky traps for adult monitoring