Plant enthusiasts often only realize that a palm tree is drying out when the leaves are shed, because they retain their green color for a relatively long time. However, if many fronds die in a short period of time, quick action is required. The fact that the plant is stunted can have various causes, which we would like to explain in more detail here.
Why is my palm drying out and what can I do about it?
A dry palm tree can be caused by too little watering, too frequent watering, root rot or an unfavorable location. Remedies include: proper watering, removing diseased roots and adjusting the location of the palm.
Too little watered
If the palm tree had to thirst for a longer period of time, this deficiency can usually be remedied and the palm tree recovers. You can recognize a lack of water, among other things, because the soil is bone dry and a gap has often already formed at the edge of the pot.
Remedy
- Fill a bucket or sufficiently large container with water.
- Submerge the palm completely.
- Wait until no more air bubbles rise to the surface.
- In the future, water regularly whenever the top centimeters of the substrate feel dry.
Too frequent watering
Wet soil says little about whether your palm tree can absorb enough liquid. If you water too much over a longer period of time, bacteria can multiply in the waterlogged substrate, leading to root rot. The damaged root system can no longer transport water and the plant dries up.
Remedy
- Take the palm tree out of the pot.
- You can often smell a musty smell.
- The substrate is spongy and extremely wet.
- The roots are no longer bright and crunchy, but feel squishy and soft and are brown in color.
Remove the old soil and cut off the damaged root parts with a sharp knife. The plant is then placed in fresh palm soil (€7.00 on Amazon). In the future, water significantly less and pour away any excess water that collects in the saucer after a few minutes.
Inconvenient location
A wrong location can also be the reason why the palm tree dries up. Plants that stand in the sun all day, are exposed to dry heating air in winter or are continually blown around by the wind evaporate more water than they can absorb.
Remedy
If you have watered enough, the only solution in this case is a change of location.
Tip
Only the lower fronds dry up, so it's a natural process. The palm tree eventually sheds the withered leaves, while fresh, green fans sprout from the top. This is how the trunk with the crest is gradually formed, which gives many palm trees their typical appearance.
