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Marginal wood fern · Dryopteris marginalis

Why are there bumps on my Marginal wood fern's leaves?

Those small bumps are likely scale insects, which feed on your fern's sap. Check the undersides of the fronds immediately to confirm their presence.

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pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Look closely at the undersides of the fronds.
  2. Check for sticky residue on the leaves.
  3. Isolate the plant from other houseplants.

Likely causes

  1. Scale Insects

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see tiny, raised brown or tan bumps on the undersides of fronds or along the stems. They do not move and look like part of the plant.

    What to do: Gently scrape the insects off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For larger infestations, wipe the fronds with insecticidal soap every 7 days until they are gone.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your marginal wood 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.

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When to worry

Scale can spread quickly to other plants, so treat it as soon as you find it. If the plant is heavily covered and wilting, it may be too far gone.

Stopping it coming back

Inspect new plants before bringing them home and wipe down fronds occasionally to keep them clean.

Marginal wood fern: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your marginal wood 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.

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Questions people ask

Can I use neem oil on my fern?
Neem oil can be harsh on ferns. It is safer to use insecticidal soap or manual removal with alcohol.
Will the bumps leave holes in the leaves?
Scale insects suck sap rather than chewing holes. You might see yellowing or stunted growth where they have been feeding.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Marginal wood fern

Back to the Marginal wood 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.