What's eating my silver lace fern?

Silver Lace Fern (Pteris ensiformis 'Evergemiensis') is most vulnerable to spider mites, which dull the silver-and-green fronds in low-humidity rooms. Scale insects cling to its slender stems, and mealybugs occasionally appear at frond bases. High humidity and regular inspection are the best defences.

Tiny yellow or white stippling across fronds, webbing on the undersides of pinnae, and loss of the characteristic silver variegation vibrancy. Mist fronds regularly and place the pot on a humidity tray. Treat with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil spray every 7–10 days, rinsing fronds between applications.

Small brown shells attached to stems and midribs; honeydew makes leaves sticky; sooty mold colonises affected areas. Remove scales manually with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, then apply neem oil to the whole plant. Repeat in 2–3 weeks to catch any newly hatched crawlers.

Fluffy white wax deposits at frond axils and base; honeydew drip; weakened, yellowing fronds. Spot-treat colonies with isopropyl alcohol. Follow with an insecticidal soap spray. Keep treated plants isolated and monitor weekly for at least one month.