My Kimberly Queen Fern Was Beautiful When I Brought It…
Kelly Asked
My Kimberly Queen fern was beautiful when i brought it home. Now, several months later, it has mealy bugs and all the leaves have browned and died so I chopped everything off. What caused this and will it grow back?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Kelly: Kimberly Queen ferns (Nephrolepis obliterata) are large upright sword ferns. These ferns can handle a lot more sun than other ferns can. In fact, they are happy to grow in full sun. They can become very large, reaching 3 feet tall and wide at maturity. These ferns are hardy to zone 9. According to the USDA plant hardiness zone map, it looks like this plant is considered hardy for you so I will assume your fern is planted in the ground and not in a container that you will bring in for the winter months. Typically when we see insects on plants, it means they are stressed to begin with for some reason and the insects are a secondary problem. Plants that are not happy are more susceptible to insect and disease problems. Insecticidal soap is an organic solution that will kill the mealy bugs. It is good that you removed the brown foliage. For now, spray your plant with the soap that you will be able to purchase at your local garden center. You can also use a granular systemic that is absorbed through the root system and works internally. The foliar spray works instantly and the systemic takes longer, but in severe cases using both will help save the plant. Make sure the fern is getting plenty of sunlight and moisture. These ferns do not like to completely dry out, so watch your moisture levels. It will take a few weeks for your fern to put on new growth so be patient, but hopefully it will once again look lush and beautiful.
