If you’ve noticed the fronds of your parlor palm turning brown, don’t panic! This is a common issue that can be easily fixed with a few simple adjustments to your care routine. As a long-time parlor palm owner myself, I’ve dealt with those frustrating brown tips but was able to get my plant thriving again. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the most likely causes of browning parlor palm leaves and the best treatment methods to restore the health and beauty of your plant.
Common Causes of Brown Parlor Palm Leaves
There are several factors that could be causing the brown leaf tips and fronds on your parlor palm
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Overwatering – Parlor palms hate sitting in soggy soil Too much moisture leads to root rot and mineral deficiencies that cause browning This is one of the most common causes of brown fronds.
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Underwatering – While they don’t like wet feet, parlor palms also dislike completely dried out soil. Not watering enough causes fronds to dry out and brown.
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Low Humidity – Parlor palms naturally grow in tropical forests with high humidity. Dry indoor air can cause leaf tips to turn brown without enough moisture.
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Drafts & Temperature Changes – Exposure to cold drafts from windows or air conditioning vents can shock parlor palms and cause browning foliage.
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Sunburn – While parlor palms don’t mind bright light, direct hot sun will scorch and brown the tender new fronds.
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Salt Buildup – Tap water high in salts that evaporate onto leaves can burn leaf tips over time, causing browning.
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Pests – Insects like spider mites can feed on and damage fronds, leading to browning damage. Check closely for webbing and bugs.
How to Treat and Prevent Brown Parlor Palm Leaves
If your parlor palm is showing signs of browning on the fronds and leaf tips, take action promptly to restore it to health. Here are some tips:
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Check soil moisture and adjust watering frequency. Allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
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Water with distilled or rain water to prevent mineral buildup. Flushing soil monthly helps prevent salt accumulation.
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Mist parlor palm leaves daily or use a pebble tray to increase humidity around the plant.
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Move plant away from hot direct sunlight, drafty windows and vents.
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Apply houseplant fertilizer monthly during the growing season to prevent nutrient deficiencies.
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Inspect closely for spider mites or other pests and treat any found with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray.
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Trim off any dead or badly damaged fronds to improve appearance. Make cuts near the base of the plant.
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Be patient! Palm fronds take time to regrow once damaged. Proper care will lead to new growth.
With some thoughtful adjustments and attentive care, you can get your parlor palm thriving once again and looking lush and beautiful.
How to Prevent Parlor Palm Fronds From Turning Brown
While some occasional brown tips are normal, you can take these proactive measures to prevent major leaf browning:
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Allow soil to dry out a bit between waterings without becoming bone dry. Check moisture levels frequently.
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Water thoroughly until it drains from the drainage holes when soil is partly dry. Avoid both under and overwatering.
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Use room temperature filtered or distilled water rather than cold tap water which can shock roots.
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Keep the plant away from hot or cold drafts from window and vents. Maintain room temps between 65-80°F.
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Provide bright, indirect light by placing near an east or north facing window. Rotate the plant periodically.
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Increase humidity around the palm to 40-50% with a humidifier or pebble tray filled with water.
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Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season.
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Inspect regularly for spider mites and treat any infestations promptly.
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Trim off any fully dried fronds near the base to maintain an attractive appearance.
When to Worry About Parlor Palm Leaf Browning
While a few brown tips are normal, be concerned if you notice:
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Browning spreading rapidly across entire fronds
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Multiple fronds browning at the same time
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Browning combined with drooping or wilting
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New unfurling fronds are turning brown
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Webbing, bugs or other signs of pests are visible
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Browning continues to worsen despite your care efforts
Significant browning can signal an underlying pest, disease or cultural issue at the root of the problem, so take prompt action. Early intervention gives you the best chance of restoring your palm’s health and beauty!
While brown fronds may seem like a nuisance, they are one of the most common issues palm owners face. With just a few simple adjustments tailored to your specific situation, you can get your parlor palm looking lush and vibrant again. Don’t give up! These plants are generally hardy and resilient, making a turnaround very achievable with attentive care.
Parlor Palm Repotting
Good Parlor Palm care includes knowing when it needs a bigger home. As we’ve already said, Parlor Palms are relatively slow-growers. For this reason, they’re great if you don’t have much space. This also means that your Parlor Palm won’t need repotting that regularly. But, eventually, your Parlor Palm will outgrow its home.
When it looks like your Parlor Palm has grown too big for its pot, get one that is two to three inches bigger. Remove the Parlor Palm from its original pot and slightly loosen the roots. Add a layer of compost to the base of the new pot and put the root ball in. Use compost to fill around the root ball, and press down lightly. Give the plant a good, even watering to ensure the roots make themselves at home!.
Parlor Palm Light Conditions
The first thing you need to know about taking care of a Parlor Palm is how much light it gets. Low light is okay, but deep shade or no light will not make your Parlor Palm happy. Parlor Palms like to be warm and your room should ideally be around 18-24°C. The minimum temperature should be 10°C.
Keep your Parlor Palm out of direct sunlight, but make sure it gets plenty of bright, indirect light.
Note that harsh, direct sunlight will scorch the leaves over time. We like to put our Parlor Palms near windows that get some morning or late afternoon sun. The Parlor Palm doesn’t need to be near a window, but it will grow more slowly if it isn’t. Make sure it gets some light, though.
Why Is Our Palm Plant Turning Brown
FAQ
Why are my Parlour Palm leaves turning brown?
How do I treat brown leaves on my palm tree?
How often should you water a Parlour Palm?
What does an overwatered parlor palm look like?
Why are my parlor palm leaves turning brown?
Check to make sure that your plant is not being overwatered. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which in turn can cause brown tips on the leaves. Make sure that the soil is well-draining and only water your plant when the top inch of soil has become dry to the touch. Another common cause of brown tips on Parlor Palms is dry air.
Why do parlor palms have brown tips?
The most common reason why Parlor Palms get brown tips is stress from improper lighting or watering. Other reasons include overfertilization, temperature stress, water quality problems, repotting, or pests. New, unblemished leaves will restore the plant’s appearance once the issue is corrected.
What are some common problems with a parlor palm?
We will go through the following common problems such as: Brown, spotted leaves from too much direct sunlight. Light yellow or green leaves from too much direct sunlight or overwatering. Black spots on your parlor palm from high sun exposure. Drooping from improper watering. Curling leaves from underwatering, low humidity, or overfertilization.
Why are my porch Palms turning brown after repotting?
A Parlor Palm often develops brown tips after repotting. The plant’s root system is rather small and weak, so it’s easily damaged. If you’ve recently repotted and suspect this is the issue, all you can do is give the plant good care while it recovers. The good news is that Parlor Palms don’t need to be repotted frequently.