Palm Plant Turning Brown

Hello Judy,

I just moved to a new office area and I pitied this poor plant that only had one sort of dead palm leaf left. I watered it for a few weeks and some new palm leaves are forming but they look dry and brown as well. It was in a very small pot so I moved it to a bigger one. However, I have no idea how to care for it nor if it is worth the effort, so if you could help me maybe it could be saved or if not, sigh, replaced…

Thanks ahead,
Michel

Hi Michel,

From the picture it looks like the new “fronds” (palm leaves) are growing well. It will take time for them to open fully. The fronds usually turn brown when a palm is over watered (start by cutting back on your water), when it is over- fertilized, or if there is a lot of salt, chlorine, or fluoride in the water. Keep the soil barely moist but never soggy. Allow the top couple of inches of soil to dry out before watering; remember, the soil at the bottom of such a large pot is much wetter than the soil at the top of the pot. Never allow the pot to sit in water. If your office water has a lot of chemicals in it or passes through a water softener, allow it to sit out over night before using it or use distilled water. High humidity is essential in keeping an Areca Palm looking good so you may have mist the fronds as they are opening or get a small humidifier if your office air is very dry. I wouldn’t replace the plant. It looks like it just might make it.