Are these brown bumps harmful?

Yes, they are scale insects that feed on your plant. You must remove them to stop the damage.

Will the fronds grow back?

Once a frond falls off, it will not grow back from that same spot. However, the plant will produce new fronds from the center if it is healthy.

Ebony Spleenwort: leaf drop, causes and fixes

Check these first

Inspect the undersides of the fronds for small brown bumps.
Check if the plant is in a drafty area.
Look for any signs of recent changes in the room temperature.

Likely causes

Scale Insects
Most likely
How to tell: You see small, hard brown bumps on the stems or undersides of the fronds. These pests suck the sap and cause the plant to weaken and drop fronds.
What to do: Gently scrape the bumps off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Treat the entire plant with insecticidal soap once a week for 3 weeks to ensure all pests are gone.
Temperature Shock
Possible
How to tell: The plant drops fronds suddenly after being moved to a new spot or exposed to a cold draft. The fronds may look green but fall off with a light touch.
What to do: Move the plant to a stable location with consistent temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees. Avoid placing it near doors or windows that let in cold air.

Find out what's wrong with your ebony spleenwort

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

If the plant is losing many fronds at once, it is a sign of a serious issue like a pest outbreak. It is normal for the oldest, lowest fronds to yellow and drop occasionally as the plant matures.

Stopping it coming back

Regularly inspect your fern for pests and keep it in a stable, draft free environment.

Keep your ebony spleenwort healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Are these brown bumps harmful?: Yes, they are scale insects that feed on your plant. You must remove them to stop the damage.
Will the fronds grow back?: Once a frond falls off, it will not grow back from that same spot. However, the plant will produce new fronds from the center if it is healthy.

Why is my Ebony Spleenwort losing its fronds?