Pest identification
What's eating my silver brake fern?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing and bronze stippling on frond undersides; fronds yellow and shrivel in dry indoor air
Control: Mist fronds, increase room humidity, and shower the plant weekly; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 5–7 days
Scale insects
Signs: Small brown waxy bumps on petioles and midribs; yellowing and frond drop; sticky residue
Control: Remove manually with alcohol swab or soft brush; apply horticultural oil spray to all surfaces
Mealybugs
Signs: White cotton-like clusters at frond bases; stunted growth; honeydew deposits
Control: Spot-treat with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab; follow with diluted neem oil spray every 7–10 days
Keep silver brake fern pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Silver Brake Fern pests — FAQ
What is eating my silver brake fern?
Silver Brake Fern is a delicate indoor fern most often attacked by spider mites in dry conditions, causing yellowing and webbing on its silver-striped fronds. Scale insects and mealybugs also colonize stems and frond bases. Fungus gnats are a secondary threat in overly moist compost. Humidity control is key.
How do I get rid of spider mites on silver brake fern?
Fine webbing and bronze stippling on frond undersides; fronds yellow and shrivel in dry indoor air Mist fronds, increase room humidity, and shower the plant weekly; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 5–7 days
How do I get rid of scale insects on silver brake fern?
Small brown waxy bumps on petioles and midribs; yellowing and frond drop; sticky residue Remove manually with alcohol swab or soft brush; apply horticultural oil spray to all surfaces
How do I get rid of mealybugs on silver brake fern?
White cotton-like clusters at frond bases; stunted growth; honeydew deposits Spot-treat with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab; follow with diluted neem oil spray every 7–10 days