Pest identification
What's eating my trailing maidenhair fern?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine stippling and bronzing of pinnules; webbing on the trailing stems; rapid browning in dry air
Control: Boost humidity; shower the plant; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 7 days, paying attention to undersides of trailing fronds
Mealybugs
Signs: White mealy clusters along the wiry stems and at the soil line; fronds look limp and discoloured
Control: Alcohol swab for direct removal; dilute neem oil spray; repeat weekly until no signs remain
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae feeding on roots in waterlogged compost; adult gnats clustering at the soil surface
Control: Improve drainage; allow surface compost to dry between waterings; Bti soil drench; yellow sticky traps
Keep trailing maidenhair fern pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Trailing Maidenhair Fern pests — FAQ
What is eating my trailing maidenhair fern?
Trailing Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum caudatum) is a tropical species and one of the more resilient maidenhairs indoors, but spider mites remain its most common pest. Mealybugs and scale insects shelter where the trailing fronds meet the pot rim. Fungus gnats appear when watering is excessive.
How do I get rid of spider mites on trailing maidenhair fern?
Fine stippling and bronzing of pinnules; webbing on the trailing stems; rapid browning in dry air Boost humidity; shower the plant; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 7 days, paying attention to undersides of trailing fronds
How do I get rid of mealybugs on trailing maidenhair fern?
White mealy clusters along the wiry stems and at the soil line; fronds look limp and discoloured Alcohol swab for direct removal; dilute neem oil spray; repeat weekly until no signs remain
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on trailing maidenhair fern?
Larvae feeding on roots in waterlogged compost; adult gnats clustering at the soil surface Improve drainage; allow surface compost to dry between waterings; Bti soil drench; yellow sticky traps