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Palms & Cycads House Plants Palm & Cycad Exchange

Interior Palms dying

5 years ago

Hi everyone! All I’ve ever wanted is for my palms to be healthy and grow well. This one kind of was but now just looks like trash. I know nothing about this plant, what it’s called or how to care for it. I’m hoping someone here can help me make my plants shine! I love them

so much! I’d appreciate any and all advice!

Featured Answer

Rebecca/N. IN/z6A

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

What type of soil/pot/light does pot have drain hole & how much/often do you water?

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Comments (8)

mr1010
5 years ago
The first pic looks like what we call a corn plant, not a palm. They're usually pretty easy to grow and keep healthy if you have the right conditions.

They like lots of light, will even take direct sunlight for a few hours a day. They don't especially like dry heat without some moisture/humidity.

Palms generally are pretty easy also but again adequate light, moisture and humidity.

Too little light is generally a problem in many homes unless you have large windows

or glass doors.
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It's a Cycas revoluta (a cycad though, not any true palm). Rain in and off itself should not be the cause of this, unless there a drainage problem. How cold has it been? I have only seen mine look like this after prolonged subfreezing cold. Can't believe this was an issue in the Bay Area (and I probably get three times as much annual rain as you if not more!) Cut out the dead parts, the plant should recuperate this season. Cycads are BUILT TO LAST!
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It was only planted in July- that damage could have taken place then. Browning on the edges of the fronds wouldn't worry me but rot in the crown would. I'd be keeping as much moisture out of there as possible and watching it very closely. It certainly doesn't need watering every other day- if you water it deeply then once a week should be more than enough. Next time you water deeply stand there and watch how the soil drains- if it just sits there you have drainage problems and these trees need good, fast drainage, especially as we progress into the fall. It's already stressed from moving, so wet and cold is the last thing you want. Adding sand to clay can often result in hard soil and does not improve the soil conditions- what you want to add is organic matter. If you feel like you do need to replant it due to poor drainage don't use any more sand and plant it a bit higher. Dig up a wide area, mix in lots of native soil with your sandy portion, and perhaps add some compost- that changes the soil in a real way. Assuming you see good drainage I would continue to care for it and hope that spring finds it healthy and settled in. And how far is it to that wall? I'd allow at least six feet or so so you have room to move around.
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mr1010
5 years ago
I just looked again and your corn plant looks rootbound and could use a bigger

pot with fresh soil. Sometimes they outgrow their pot and have mostly roots

and very little soil. I'd re-pot, move closer to good sunlight, keep moderately

watered and once settled in after several weeks fertilize w/ a good plant food.

Doesn't hurt to spray/mist leaves w/ water once or twice a week if in a heated room.

When the weather warms up (no frost) put it in a sheltered outdoor location

for a healthy vacation. It should perk up.
Tyler Daigler thanked mr1010
Tyler Daigler
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you! So I had just moved into the new pot because it had outgrown the last, hence the rootbound. Tonight I filled in the gap with an interior potting soil with fertilizer. Currently the plant takes indirect light due to windows and glass doors. I could theoretically move it next to the window for more light while I’m at work. We live in Southern California so I could leave it outside, but we got it for the interior to bring the outside in if you will, as we are covered in palms here. i appreciate your advice and help! Any ideas on the 2nd palm?
Heather Robbins
5 years ago
From my experience with palms, brown means too little moisture/drying out and yellow means too much water/other problems. Palms can be very picky about light and humidity. Most want bright light, but not full sun, consistent humidity and moist soil but never soggy, or dry.

If you choose to move your palm outside place it in partial, or full shade to start as it won't be very happy about being baked. The sunlight inside is much weaker than the sun it will receive outside.

when you repotted did you loosen the root ball, or did you just place it into the larger pot?
Tyler Daigler
Original Author
5 years ago
I just placed it into a larger pot. Probably the wrong thing to do. I’m a serious noob! It would appear that on one palm I have brown at tips, other palm I have yellowing of leaves followed by death!
Heather Robbins
5 years ago
loosening the root ball helps the plant get comfy in it's new home. Leaving the roots compacted means the plant will continue to act as if it is root bound until the roots grow out.

If you just replanted give the plant a few days to adjust and show signs of improvement. One thing at a time, if you try everything at once you won't know which thing is working.
Matt z5b - Greenhouse 10a
5 years ago
The first one is a yucca elephantipes. Which they are both in need of more light. How often are you watering? If you are in Southern California I would take it outside asap. These are not meant to be house plants there.

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