Troubleshooting
Fishtail Parlour Palm problems — and how to fix them
Fishtail Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea ernesti-augusti) is generally low-drama, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Spider mites
The most common pest, especially in warm, dry conditions; look for pale yellow stippling and fine webbing on frond undersides, and treat promptly with neem oil or insecticidal soap as populations escalate quickly indoors.
Cold draught damage
Brief exposure to temperatures below 10°C or cold air from windows and air conditioning units causes permanent brown patches or full browning of the unusual undivided leaves; site well away from draughts and never on a cold windowsill in winter.
Prevent fishtail parlour palm problems before they start
Most fishtail parlour palm issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Fishtail Parlour Palm problems — FAQ
Why is my fishtail parlour palm spider mites?
The most common pest, especially in warm, dry conditions; look for pale yellow stippling and fine webbing on frond undersides, and treat promptly with neem oil or insecticidal soap as populations escalate quickly indoors.
Why is my fishtail parlour palm cold draught damage?
Brief exposure to temperatures below 10°C or cold air from windows and air conditioning units causes permanent brown patches or full browning of the unusual undivided leaves; site well away from draughts and never on a cold windowsill in winter.