5 Responses to “What Causes Yellow Leaves On Indoor Palm”

1. Jamie Jamison Adams Says:
   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.

2. ainsley Says:
   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).

3. Anna Says:
   January 5th, 2011 at 1:31 am

   I am having the exact same problem. I just bought a majestic palm at ikea and the leaves are yellowing. I did transplant it into a new pot, but I thought the problem was that my cat keeps peeing on it, but i'm probably overwatering too. I didn't know you were supposed to water only once a week?! that seems so counter-intuitive, although I remember hearing somewhere that the leading cause of indoor plant stress is overwatering. Who knew?

4. Laura Says:
   February 10th, 2011 at 11:58 am

   I have a palm a it is suddenly sick it has what I can only call webs on the leaves but they aren't like spider web it's like cotton candy and then I have little white dots on the some the the leaves.
   When I noticed it the my plant was green about a week after the leaves started to colour, i can't find any bugs,
   I don't think I over water I water it every 2 weeks and have a globe in it.
   I have been trimming off the dead leaves hoping for new growth.
   Am I doing things wrong or ok. Please let me know.

5. Jamie Jamison Adams Says:
   February 11th, 2011 at 2:36 pm

   It sounds like you have spidermites. This insect is very small and can only be seen using a microscope. You will need an insecticide that is rated for houseplants. Fertilome carries a RTU (ready to use) spidermite spray that is safe for houseplants. Spidermites attack plants that are under stress. So if you think your watering practices have been off, you will need to get them under control after you kill the spidermites.