Parlour palm isn't growing and it's tips are dying🤕
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I’m having a similar problem with my Kentia palm and @TwistedThreads suggested it was probably a lack of humidity issue. Do you have a humidifier you can put it near?
@Poppysplants Hello 👋 and welcome to Greg, Poppy.
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.
Lighting Issues
Parlor Palms do well in bright indirect light that stays on the lower end of the spectrum. Either too little or too much can produce brown tips. Direct sunlight scorches any part of the leaf it shines upon.
Note that a Parlor palm is already a slow grower in bright indirect light and will grow even more slowly in dim conditions. This can be useful if you’d like to keep the plant at its current size, but if you want growth it will need sufficient illumination.
Here are more lighting tips:
A good way to test your Parlor Palm’s light is to see if it casts a shadow. This doesn’t have to be a defined, sharp-edged outline; the light will be sufficient if it’s strong enough to cast a shape.
If your Palm is next to a window, an east- or north-facing exposure is best. These generous plants do well in artificial light, too.
Be careful about bringing the plant outdoors for the summer. They sunburn easily unless kept in deep shade.
Watering Issues Causing Brown Tips On Parlor Palms
A Parlor Palm isn’t exactly tricky to water, but they do require some attention. They want their roots to stay slightly moist and will get upset if the soil dries out. Lack of moisture is a big cause of brown leaf tips.
Overwatering can cause the same symptoms, but it’s even more dangerous: soggy soil may trigger root rot that can kill the plant outright. Though Parlor Palms use more water when grown in bright light, they are not what you’d call thirsty plants.
Only water once the top half-inch of soil feels dry. Rather than watering on a schedule, assess the plant and soil for dryness to determine the right time to water.
When it’s time, water so thoroughly that excess water drains out the exit holes: this ensures the entire root ball is moistened, and it helps flush the soil of residual chemicals.
Factors That Affect Watering
Your Parlor Palm’s pot and its soil make a big difference in how easy it is to water correctly:
Soil: A light, well-draining medium preserves aeration for the roots even after a thorough soaking. The plant isn’t picky about pH; a decent retail potting mix is usually fine. If the soil doesn’t drain well enough, add an aerating amendment like coarse sand, pumice, or coco coir.
If the water you use is heavily mineralized, the excess can be reflected in the leaves. Chlorine and/or chloramine added to municipal water may add to the issue, but heavy mineral content can affect your plant even if the water is dechlorinated.
If you’re seeing unexplained brown tips on your Parlor Palm, try switching to filtered water, rainwater, or distilled water.
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.
Lighting Issues
Parlor Palms do well in bright indirect light that stays on the lower end of the spectrum. Either too little or too much can produce brown tips. Direct sunlight scorches any part of the leaf it shines upon.
Note that a Parlor palm is already a slow grower in bright indirect light and will grow even more slowly in dim conditions. This can be useful if you’d like to keep the plant at its current size, but if you want growth it will need sufficient illumination.
Here are more lighting tips:
A good way to test your Parlor Palm’s light is to see if it casts a shadow. This doesn’t have to be a defined, sharp-edged outline; the light will be sufficient if it’s strong enough to cast a shape.
If your Palm is next to a window, an east- or north-facing exposure is best. These generous plants do well in artificial light, too.
Be careful about bringing the plant outdoors for the summer. They sunburn easily unless kept in deep shade.
Watering Issues Causing Brown Tips On Parlor Palms
A Parlor Palm isn’t exactly tricky to water, but they do require some attention. They want their roots to stay slightly moist and will get upset if the soil dries out. Lack of moisture is a big cause of brown leaf tips.
Overwatering can cause the same symptoms, but it’s even more dangerous: soggy soil may trigger root rot that can kill the plant outright. Though Parlor Palms use more water when grown in bright light, they are not what you’d call thirsty plants.
Only water once the top half-inch of soil feels dry. Rather than watering on a schedule, assess the plant and soil for dryness to determine the right time to water.
When it’s time, water so thoroughly that excess water drains out the exit holes: this ensures the entire root ball is moistened, and it helps flush the soil of residual chemicals.
Factors That Affect Watering
Your Parlor Palm’s pot and its soil make a big difference in how easy it is to water correctly:
Soil: A light, well-draining medium preserves aeration for the roots even after a thorough soaking. The plant isn’t picky about pH; a decent retail potting mix is usually fine. If the soil doesn’t drain well enough, add an aerating amendment like coarse sand, pumice, or coco coir.
If the water you use is heavily mineralized, the excess can be reflected in the leaves. Chlorine and/or chloramine added to municipal water may add to the issue, but heavy mineral content can affect your plant even if the water is dechlorinated.
If you’re seeing unexplained brown tips on your Parlor Palm, try switching to filtered water, rainwater, or distilled water.
My Parlor Palm is doing surprisingly well but my #MajestyPalm is on it’s last legs. Definitely a humidity issue plus decreased light in winter. I don’t think I’m going to be able to save him 🥺 Pictures show his rapid decline since late fall compared to when he arrived.
