What Causes Yellow Leaves On Indoor Palm
Ask the Expert: Indoor Palm Tree
I recently purchased an indoor palm tree (about 6ft now). After about two weeks in my home a few of the leaves are turning yellow. I water it once a week. Can you help? Thanks.
July 25th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Yellow leaves are usually a result of water stress or mineral deficiency. Occasionally insect damage can result in yellow leaves. This is true for most plants. With palms water issues are generally the cause if a few of the leaves are turning yellow. Mineral deficiencies will occur in a broader fashion. Insect damage usually present itself with other signs before the leaves turn yellow.
With that said we need to examine the leaves to see if we can pin point the problem. First rule out insects by examining the leaves with a magnifying glass. Look at both the top and the bottom of the leaf. The magnifying glass will help you see the insects. If you have insects spray them with the appropriate insecticide. Your local garden center will have what you need.
Now check for mineral deficiencies. Do you see brown or orange spots on your palm leaves? Is the yellow in a band across the leaf and not from the tip down? This could be a mineral deficiency and will need the proper fertilizer to correct it. Once again your local garden center and nursery can help you.
Now to what I real think the problem is transplant shock and water practices. Did you repot your palm when you brought it home? If so the soil maybe too heavy or may not be draining well. You pot should have drainage hole to allow excess water to drain away from the plant. Palms want a moist but well drained soil. It should never be soggy yet the root ball should be moist throughout not just on the top. Palms also like humidity so misting them can help.
Remember palms in general like bright light but directly in front of a window is not a good place for them. So check you light exposure as well as your water practice.
Above all don’t panic. The yellow leaves could also be a natural reaction to moving. Transplant shock occurs in every plant. Sometimes the plant exhibits signs of transplant shock and other times there will be no sign.
I recommend the wait and see approach. Take care of the palm the way palms like to be taken care of wait at least two weeks before you do anything drastically. The yellowing leaves should start to decrease and the plant should settle into its new home.
I’m not sure what kind of palm you have but reading Caring for Parlor Palms might help.
December 29th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
My palm tree had yellow leaves as well. I think I overwatered it because the roots were very rotted. My soil was dry on the top but it might’ve been still wet on the bottom of the pot. Or it might’ve been from using regular tap water instead of purified water…(i was very new to gardening then).