What's eating my european fan palm?

European Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis) is a tough, cold-hardy palm but indoors it is most troubled by spider mites in dry air, which yellow and dull the fan-shaped fronds. Scale insects also cling to its fibrous petioles. Outdoors in mild UK/US climates, aphids can cluster on new growth in spring.

Fine yellow stippling across the fan segments, webbing on leaflet undersides, and a general dull, washed-out appearance to the blue-green fronds. Rinse fronds with water monthly and maintain humidity above 40%. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 7 days for three treatments; focus on the undersides of the fan segments.

Flat brown or white oval shells on petioles, stems, and frond midribs; honeydew deposits and sooty mold; weakened fronds. Scrub scales from fibrous petioles with a stiff brush and rubbing alcohol. Apply horticultural oil spray to all surfaces; repeat in three to four weeks to address crawlers.

Clusters of small green or black insects on emerging fronds and at the crown; sticky honeydew; distorted new growth. Knock aphids off with a strong water spray. Apply insecticidal soap if colonies persist; beneficial insects such as ladybirds will control outdoor populations naturally.