Troubleshooting
Christmas Palm problems — and how to fix them
Christmas Palm (Adonidia merrillii) 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.
Frizzle-top / new-leaf deformity
Manganese deficiency causes weak, frizzled new fronds; correct with a palm-specific feed containing manganese rather than a generic fertiliser.
Yellowing older fronds
Usually potassium or magnesium deficiency on sandy soils; use a complete palm fertiliser and avoid removing green-yellow fronds, which the palm reabsorbs nutrients from.
Cold damage
Frond browning and trunk collapse below about 4°C; protect from frost and never site in a draughty, unheated room.
Lethal yellowing / decline
In Florida, Adonidia is susceptible to phytoplasma diseases causing fruit drop and crown collapse; remove and destroy affected palms and consult an arborist.
Prevent christmas palm problems before they start
Most christmas palm issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for christmas palm in general rather than its problems? Read the full christmas palm care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Christmas Palm problems — FAQ
Why is my christmas palm frizzle-top / new-leaf deformity?
Manganese deficiency causes weak, frizzled new fronds; correct with a palm-specific feed containing manganese rather than a generic fertiliser.
Why is my christmas palm yellowing older fronds?
Usually potassium or magnesium deficiency on sandy soils; use a complete palm fertiliser and avoid removing green-yellow fronds, which the palm reabsorbs nutrients from.
Why is my christmas palm cold damage?
Frond browning and trunk collapse below about 4°C; protect from frost and never site in a draughty, unheated room.
Why is my christmas palm lethal yellowing / decline?
In Florida, Adonidia is susceptible to phytoplasma diseases causing fruit drop and crown collapse; remove and destroy affected palms and consult an arborist.