What’s the problem?
My rabbit’s foot fern (Davallia fejeensis) has developed small, brown lumps along its stems and is leaving sticky droplets on nearby surfaces.
Diagnosis
These brown bumps are almost certainly scale insects. Often mistaken for part of the plant, the scales look like tiny brown discs attached to stems and leaf joints. They feed by sucking sap, weakening your plant over time. The sticky substance you see is honeydew, their waste product, which can attract mould or ants if left untreated. These pests are slow-moving but persistent, and it’s not uncommon for infestations to spread quietly between plants, as you’ve noticed with your collection.
Prescription
Wipe off visible scale with a damp cloth or cotton bud dipped in neem oil or insecticidal soap. Repeat weekly to catch any new hatchlings. For severe infestations, spray the entire plant with a neem-based solution, ensuring that both sides of the fronds and the fuzzy rhizomes are thoroughly coated.
Prevention
Place any new plants in quarantine and inspect the stems and undersides of the leaves for pests. Going forward, keep plants dust-free and avoid overcrowding, because this helps improve airflow and ward off pests. A monthly leaf check and occasional wipe-down with diluted neem oil can go a long way. Catching scale early is key; once they’re established, they’re much harder to eliminate.
Got a plant dilemma? Email saturday@theguardian.com with ‘Houseplant clinic’ in the subject line
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