Question: what are the white spots on my fern?
Answer: Mealybugs infest ferns, appearing as tiny white dots on the leaf axils and undersides of the fronds, according to the University of Florida. Mealybugs appear cottony and can also infest the root area. You might see a sticky, clear liquid called honeydew on the fern fronds. It is a substance that mealybugs excrete.