The fan palm is often kept as a houseplant because its impressive leaves bring a Mediterranean atmosphere into the home. However, it often happens that livistona rotundifolia develops brown leaves that need to be cut off.
Should you cut off dry leaves from Livistona rotundifolia?
Answer: Yes, dry or brown leaves should be cut off from Livistona rotundifolia. The causes of the brown color can be: broken leaves, incorrect water or nutrient supply, lack of space or pests. Affected leaves should be removed directly from the trunk to prevent the possible spread of germs or parasites.
Causes of leaves turning brown
It is usually due to incorrect or lack of care. Causes of brown leaves can be:
- kinked leaves
- watering too much
- too little water
- Nutrient Deficiency
- Lack of space
- Pests
Brunched leaves
Leaves or stems can break if the plant is exposed to the wind on the terrace. If the stem is injured, the leaf is no longer adequately supplied and dies. Cut off the brown fronds directly on the trunk so that no residue remains and provides space for germs or parasites.
Too much water
Fan plums do not tolerate waterlogging. Make sure there is a drainage hole in the flower pot. To be on the safe side, a drainage layer made of potsherds or expanded clay can be added when planting. If the soil is too wet for a long period of time, the plant must be drained. You take the palm tree out of its plant pot and remove the wet soil. Plant your palm tree in fresh soil.
Too little water
Livistona rotundifolia needs adequate watering at regular intervals. Their roots do not go deep enough to absorb the last bits of water in the pot; instead, they begin to dry out. If you have forgotten to water for a long time, put the plant in the shower and water it until the soil is moistened again.
Inadequate nutrient supply
The potting soil is gradually depleted from frequent watering. Therefore, you have to help from time to time with a suitable complete fertilizer (€8.00 on Amazon).
Lack of space
The fan palm can also grow to a height of several meters in the apartment. Especially during the growing season in spring, the plant pot quickly becomes too narrow. This can be seen, for example, in the fact that the roots are already growing out of the bottom of the pot or that the potting soil seems to be becoming less and less and the roots are also sticking out from the top. In such cases, repotting will prevent the fronds from turning brown.
Pests
Here, mildew and spider mites are the causes of brown palm fronds. They are combated with suitable pesticides.
