Troubleshooting
Areca palm problems — and how to fix them
Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Brown frond tips
Tap-water minerals or low humidity; switch to rain or filtered water.
Yellow fronds
Overwatering, under-feeding, or magnesium deficiency.
Webbing under fronds
Spider mites — common in dry air.
Brown lower fronds
Normal turnover; trim at the base.
Prevent areca palm problems before they start
Most areca palm issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Areca palm problems — FAQ
Why is my areca palm brown frond tips?
Tap-water minerals or low humidity; switch to rain or filtered water.
Why is my areca palm yellow fronds?
Overwatering, under-feeding, or magnesium deficiency.
Why is my areca palm webbing under fronds?
Spider mites — common in dry air.
Why is my areca palm brown lower fronds?
Normal turnover; trim at the base.