Troubleshooting
Macarthur Palm problems — and how to fix them
Macarthur Palm (Ptychosperma macarthurii) 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.
Cold damage
Severely frost-tender; temperatures below 5°C cause frond browning and temperatures below 0°C are typically fatal. In temperate climates, must be grown indoors or in a heated greenhouse. Bring containerised specimens under cover well before first frost.
Spider mites indoors
Common in dry, warm interiors. Fine webbing and yellow stippling on fronds are signs of infestation. Increase humidity, mist foliage regularly, and treat with an insecticidal soap or neem oil spray. Inspect new growth regularly.
Ganoderma butt rot
A serious fungal disease in outdoor tropical plantings caused by Ganoderma zonatum. Produces a distinctive conk (bracket fungus) at the base. There is no cure; infected palms must be removed and destroyed. Avoid wounding the base of the palm.
Prevent macarthur palm problems before they start
Most macarthur palm issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for macarthur palm in general rather than its problems? Read the full macarthur palm care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Macarthur Palm problems — FAQ
Why is my macarthur palm cold damage?
Severely frost-tender; temperatures below 5°C cause frond browning and temperatures below 0°C are typically fatal. In temperate climates, must be grown indoors or in a heated greenhouse. Bring containerised specimens under cover well before first frost.
Why is my macarthur palm spider mites indoors?
Common in dry, warm interiors. Fine webbing and yellow stippling on fronds are signs of infestation. Increase humidity, mist foliage regularly, and treat with an insecticidal soap or neem oil spray. Inspect new growth regularly.
Why is my macarthur palm ganoderma butt rot?
A serious fungal disease in outdoor tropical plantings caused by Ganoderma zonatum. Produces a distinctive conk (bracket fungus) at the base. There is no cure; infected palms must be removed and destroyed. Avoid wounding the base of the palm.