Once the fronds die, you can cut them out.
The old foliage will likely not look as pretty as new foliage in the height of summer.
You can also cut out any older fronds that aren’t dead yet but look a little bedraggled.
It’s best to only trim the outer edges after you’ve removed yellowing or dead fronds. Keep in mind that the tips turn brown if you clip off the edges.
This technique lets the plant focus more attention on getting its roots settled. Don’t worry. Once the plant is settled, it will grow back.
In other words, leaving the old fronds in place can help your fern survive through the cold of winter and return in the spring.
When scales attack the plant, the leaves will likely turn yellow and may weaken. Look for scales on the underside of leaves along the vein or on the stems. Scales can spread, so remove any fronds you see with shears or scissors. If you have a bad infestation, you may need to throw out the houseplant so the scales don’t spread to other houseplants. Outdoor ferns also get scales, but you should try controlling them with oil-based spray pesticides instead of pruning. Don’t mistake sori for scales. Sori (singular: sorus) contain the spore-producing structures and are located on the undersides of many fern leaves. They appear orange or brown and approximately circular in shape. Although humans may mistake them for pests or disease, sori function as part of a fern’s reproductive process and are not a problem. [10] X Research source
These runners are draining energy from your plant. By cutting them, you’re letting your plant focus on other vital areas.
The fern will grow back from the crown, if you let it remain.
