Troubleshooting
Curly Kentia Palm problems — and how to fix them
Curly Kentia Palm (Howea belmoreana) 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
From dry air, underwatering or fluoride and salts in tap water. Raise humidity, water with filtered or rainwater and flush the soil to remove salts.
Spider mites
Common in dry indoor air, showing as stippling and fine webbing. Wipe and shower the fronds, increase humidity and apply insecticidal soap as needed.
Overwatering and root rot
Yellowing, mushy bases and a sour smell indicate soggy roots. Allow the surface to dry between waterings and ensure excellent drainage.
Slow recovery from damage
As a slow grower, this palm replaces lost fronds gradually, so avoid cutting healthy green fronds and protect it from physical knocks and cold draughts.
Prevent curly kentia palm problems before they start
Most curly kentia palm issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for curly kentia palm in general rather than its problems? Read the full curly kentia palm care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Curly Kentia Palm problems — FAQ
Why is my curly kentia palm brown frond tips?
From dry air, underwatering or fluoride and salts in tap water. Raise humidity, water with filtered or rainwater and flush the soil to remove salts.
Why is my curly kentia palm spider mites?
Common in dry indoor air, showing as stippling and fine webbing. Wipe and shower the fronds, increase humidity and apply insecticidal soap as needed.
Why is my curly kentia palm overwatering and root rot?
Yellowing, mushy bases and a sour smell indicate soggy roots. Allow the surface to dry between waterings and ensure excellent drainage.
Why is my curly kentia palm slow recovery from damage?
As a slow grower, this palm replaces lost fronds gradually, so avoid cutting healthy green fronds and protect it from physical knocks and cold draughts.