Fern Leaves Have Rust: What To Do For Rusty Looking Fern Leaves

By Mary H. Dyer, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener Ferns are lush, green woodland plants valued for their ability to thrive in low light and moist environments where most plants won’t survive. However, the plants sometimes develop strange symptoms such as rusty looking fern leaves. Rusty fern leaves, often the result of normal growth and development, aren’t always an issue. However, in some cases, rust colored ferns may indicate a more serious problem. Rust on Back of Fern Fronds Ferns are ancient plants that propagate themselves in ways that are very different from most plants. One way new ferns are propagated is through the development of millions of tiny spores that fall to the ground where they eventually grow into tiny plants. Often, rows of rusty brown spots on the back of mature ferns are actually the harmless spore cases. The rusty residue is powdery and some may land on

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