Pest identification
What's eating my parlor palm?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and yellowing of frond leaflets; fine webbing visible under fronds in severe infestations
Control: Increase humidity; rinse fronds with lukewarm water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray weekly until infestation clears
Mealybugs
Signs: White fluffy deposits where leaflets meet the main stem; honeydew leading to sooty mold
Control: Remove with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol; treat whole plant with diluted neem oil, covering all surfaces
Scale insects
Signs: Small brown or cream-colored bumps fixed to stems and frond undersides; leaves lose colour and vigour
Control: Scrape off manually; apply horticultural oil spray; repeat every 10–14 days for 3 cycles
Keep parlor palm pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Parlor palm pests — FAQ
What is eating my parlor palm?
Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is most vulnerable to spider mites, which thrive in the dry air typical of heated homes. Mealybugs and scale insects can also take hold on fronds and stems. Regular misting, good air circulation, and wiping fronds clean are the best preventive measures.
How do I get rid of spider mites on parlor palm?
Pale stippling and yellowing of frond leaflets; fine webbing visible under fronds in severe infestations Increase humidity; rinse fronds with lukewarm water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray weekly until infestation clears
How do I get rid of mealybugs on parlor palm?
White fluffy deposits where leaflets meet the main stem; honeydew leading to sooty mold Remove with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol; treat whole plant with diluted neem oil, covering all surfaces
How do I get rid of scale insects on parlor palm?
Small brown or cream-colored bumps fixed to stems and frond undersides; leaves lose colour and vigour Scrape off manually; apply horticultural oil spray; repeat every 10–14 days for 3 cycles