What are these brown bumps on my Mother Fern?

Check these first

1. Inspect the undersides of the fronds closely.
2. Check the stems for small, raised bumps.
3. Look for sticky residue on the leaves or the surface below the plant.

Likely causes

1. Scale Insects

   Most likely

   How to tell: You will see small, hard, brown bumps that look like tiny shields on the stems or undersides of leaves. They may also leave behind a sticky residue called honeydew.

   What to do: Gently scrape the bumps off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For a larger infestation, spray the entire plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days until they are gone.

When to worry

Scale can spread quickly to other plants in your home, so treat it as soon as you spot the first bump. If the plant is heavily infested and losing many leaves, it may be time to isolate it.

Stopping it coming back

Inspect new plants before bringing them home and wipe down your fern's leaves with a damp cloth every few weeks to keep them clean.

Questions people ask

Can I just wash the scale off?

Washing helps, but scale insects have a hard shell that protects them from water. You must use rubbing alcohol or an insecticidal soap to effectively kill them.

Will my fern recover after a scale infestation?

Yes, Mother Ferns are resilient. Once the pests are removed and the plant is kept in good conditions, it will start producing healthy new fronds.

More problems with Mother Fern

• Why are my Mother Fern's leaf tips turning brown?
• Why are my Mother Fern's leaves turning yellow?