What's eating my scot's maidenhair spleenwort?

Scot's Maidenhair Spleenwort is a delicate fern most vulnerable to scale insects and spider mites when kept indoors. Dry air encourages both pests. Mealybugs can colonize the base of fronds. Maintaining consistent moisture and good airflow while avoiding chemical pesticides — which can scorch fine fronds — is the safest approach.

Hard or waxy bumps on frond midribs and stems; yellowing; sticky honeydew on lower fronds Remove manually with a soft damp cloth; apply diluted neem oil carefully — test a small frond first as ferns can be sensitive to oil sprays

Tiny specks and fine webbing on fronds; fronds look dull, dry, and eventually turn brown Increase humidity with a pebble tray or humidifier; rinse fronds with lukewarm water; use insecticidal soap at half strength to avoid frond burn

Cottony white deposits at frond bases; stunted, weakened growth; sticky leaf surfaces Dab with isopropyl alcohol using a fine brush or swab; remove heavily infested fronds; avoid systemic pesticides on this sensitive species