Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Examine the stems and undersides of the fronds closely.
- Check for sticky residue on the leaves or the surface below the plant.
- Isolate the plant from your other houseplants immediately.
Likely causes
Scale insects
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see small, hard, brown bumps that look like little shields on the stems or undersides of leaves. They do not move and are often mistaken for part of the plant.
What to do: Gently scrape the bumps off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For larger infestations, wipe the entire plant down with insecticidal soap every 7 days for a month.
Mealybugs
PossibleHow to tell: You might see white, cottony masses in the crevices where the fronds meet the rhizomes. These pests also suck sap and leave behind a sticky residue.
What to do: Dab the white spots with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol to kill them on contact. Repeat this process every few days until you no longer see any signs of the pests.
Find out what's wrong with your rabbit's foot fern
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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When to worry
Scale is a serious issue that can kill a plant if it covers the entire surface. Act as soon as you spot the first few bumps.
Stopping it coming back
Inspect new plants before bringing them home and wipe down your fern's leaves with a damp cloth once a month to keep them clean.
Rabbit's Foot Fern: pests? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your rabbit's foot fern and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Can I use neem oil on my fern?
- Ferns can be sensitive to oils, so it is safer to use rubbing alcohol or a mild insecticidal soap. Test a small area first if you decide to use a treatment.
- How did my plant get pests?
- Pests often hitch a ride on new plants or enter through open windows. They can also travel from other infested plants in your collection.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Rabbit's Foot Fern
Back to the Rabbit's Foot Fern guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.