Hi! I just recently got a Kentia Palm Tree. I noticed on the first day when I was wiping the leaves down (they were dusty) that there were little white spots every so often. They would wipe right off. It's been a couple weeks and it seems like in spots that I might have missed they've either multiplied or just returned all together(I'm not sure what's happening). And now on top of this in the last week I've noticed 2 of the smaller branches of fronds, right at the base...the leaves are turning yellow. I've done some internet research but I was hoping I could just get some real discussion with real people who may know what to do.











My main concern is making sure to properly get rid of any fungus before this goes to far.

If the white spots are slightly raised and have a soft, cotton-like texture to them, they are mealybugs. If they are flat and lack texture, then it is probably pesticidal residue from the nursery and it can be wiped away with a bit of soap and water on a soft cloth.

If they are mealybugs, let us know so we can tell you how to treat them.

If you are unsure, then carefully wipe away all of the white stuff and monitor the fronds to see if any of it returns. If it does, then you know you have a pest problem.

The yellowed lower frond in unrelated. It is normal for older fronds to die back gradually as new growth is added on top.

If you post a photo that shows the entire Kentia, including its pot, we may identify some other issues. Give your Kentia lots of very bright indirect light and keep the soil moderately moist.

WillC said:If the white spots are slightly raised and have a soft, cotton-like texture to them, they are mealybugs. If they are flat and lack texture, then it is probably pesticidal residue from the nursery and it can be wiped away with a bit of soap and water on a soft cloth.

If they are mealybugs, let us know so we can tell you how to treat them.

If you are unsure, then carefully wipe away all of the white stuff and monitor the fronds to see if any of it returns. If it does, then you know you have a pest problem.

The yellowed lower frond in unrelated. It is normal for older fronds to die back gradually as new growth is added on top.

If you post a photo that shows the entire Kentia, including its pot, we may identify some other issues. Give your Kentia lots of very bright indirect light and keep the soil moderately moist.

There is certainly new growth happening so that relieves my worries about the yellowing. What I will do is wipe away all the white stuff and watch it over this next week and report back if they return.

Good plan! Kentias are slow growers, tending to put out one or two new fronds and then not producing any more for several months or more. As long as most of the newer fronds remain healthy, you are on the right track.

WillC said:Good plan! Kentias are slow growers, tending to put out one or two new fronds and then not producing any more for several months or more. As long as most of the newer fronds remain healthy, you are on the right track.

Hi back again! So im having troubles again...it seems that quite a few of the fronds are turning brown/dying. My cats do chew on some of the leaves and I dont know if that could be effecting the over all health. Im using tap water and wondering if I should start using distilled? Or if sitting it out for 24 hours should work? Its in the window because I live in Canada Alberta and I was warned it wouldnt do well because we dont get a lot or as much sun???? Maybe I shouldnt have it in the window? Its suppose to do okay in lower levels of light. Im thinking about buying a plant light and moving it somewhere else in the room. I just dont want it do be to far gone before I can save it! Also editing to add that there are 5 new growths happening...so I guess thats weird???? Im just so worried because one of the ones turning brown is a bigger leaf frond

Kentias do best in very bright but indirect sunlight. Very close to a north window or a few feet away from an east or west windows would be best. A plant light will not help that much so save your money. Don't move it outside even for a brief time.

The loss of occasional older fronds is normal as healthy new fronds are added. If you have lost several fronds in the last month or so, then it may be a watering problem. It looks like you may have repotted, but the photo of the pot is not clear enough to tell. Repotting can change watering requirements substantially.

Distilled or filtered water is necessary only if your tap water is hard.

Any chance the cats are using it as a potty?

WillC said:Kentias do best in very bright but indirect sunlight. Very close to a north window or a few feet away from an east or west windows would be best. A plant light will not help that much so save your money. Don't move it outside even for a brief time.

The loss of occasional older fronds is normal as healthy new fronds are added. If you have lost several fronds in the last month or so, then it may be a watering problem. It looks like you may have repotted, but the photo of the pot is not clear enough to tell. Repotting can change watering requirements substantially.

Distilled or filtered water is necessary only if your tap water is hard.

Any chance the cats are using it as a potty?

I dont think they are using it to go to the bathroom. I also have not repotted it since I got it. Its in its nursery pot. I suspect it must be a watering problem. But ive been dping my best and dont know what I could change. I sit my water on the counter for an hour before watering. And I water when the first top inch is dry and water through.

Im wondering if there is root rot because it looks like some kind of that could be what is happening gosh...but then again maybe its just the older fromds dying. I hate this i have no idea...and this palm tree was suppose to be easier. And I find im pretty good with plants.

Don't despair! It is good that it is still in its nursery pot. That means that overwatering is not very likely.

You are letting it get too dry. It should be watered thoroughly (until water trickles through the drain holes) as soon as the surface of the soil feels dry, not when the top inch is dry. There is no reason to leave the water out overnight. If your local tap water is hard, use filtered or distilled water.

Kentias are easy only in the sense that they do not require as much light as most other Palm species.

Remove the dying fronds and increase the watering and I think you will soon see improvement enough that you can start enjoying your Kentia!

Hi Guys,

Sorry to bother. I think I have the same issue here with my Kentia Palm – white spots on leaves, especially on the lower fronds, with cotton-like stuff. Attaching a few pictures.

Is this Mealybugs, right?

I have been spraying all the leaves (top and bottom) with a solution made of 1 litre of water and 2 milliliters of Neem Oil weekly (as per instructions) for the past 3 weeks. However, the situation doesn't seem to have improved

Overall, the plant seems fine, there is a big new frond. If anything, it seems to me that one of the two main trunks is not as straight as it used to be, and is now tilting a bit.

May I ask your advice? What could I do to eradicate Mealybugs? Is a 1 litre x 2 millilitres solution of Neem Oil not enough? Or how long does it take to work? Or should I get another anti-pest treatment?

Looking forward to hearing from you, many thanks in advance!

I suggest you mix a solution of 5 parts water, 1 part alcohol and a squirt of liquid soap. The alcohol will penetrate the outer coating of the mealybugs. The soap will help spread the solution over the plant tissue.

The key to success is to get complete spray coverage until all leaf and stem surfaces are dripping wet. If you don't make a mess, you are not being thorough enough. Be sure to get the spray deep into the crevices where the stems emerge. That is where the nearly invisible juveniles hide and mature.

If a stem is leaning, you can reposition it slightly in the pot and tamp the soil down around its base to hold it in place. Learning stems are often a result of repotting. Tight roots help keep the stems in place.

Hi Will, thank you so much for your quick and clear answer!
Fingers crossed I'll see an improvement soon

Hi,

I'm hoping someone can help me on here! I've had my Kentia plant for around a year, for the first 4 months or so it was fine but it has gradually got worse and worse as time has gone on. I'm at a stage where I have no idea what I'm doing wrong, I don't know if I'm over watering it or under watering it, or if I'm spraying it too much!

As you can see on the pictures, it has a lot of dry brown leaves (this started happening very recently) and I've also noticed areas with little white spots/marks which aren't raised or textured. I've also noticed some whiteish stuff in the soil which wasn't there before. I tend to water it once a week and I often put it in the shower to make sure I get the leaves wet too and to make sure the water goes through the bottom of the pot. I haven't re-potted it but I'm questioning whether I should do?!

I bought this plant as i read it's one of the easiest plants to look after and unfortunately it hasn't been easy at all 😥 I really don't want it to die as it cost quite a lot for what it is!

Please help ☺️ Thanks!

@Haytchx - Kentias are among my favorite Palm species. While they do not require as much light as most other Palms, that does not mean they are easy. In fact, when not watered properly, they do not do well.

How far have you kept your Kentia from the nearest window and what direction so does that window face?

I know you are confused about the watering, but over the past several months how have you determined when to water and how much water have you given it?

Is your local tap water hard?

@WillC Thank you for getting back to me. At the moment it is about 3 metres from the window and the window faces north-west. I have recently moved house and it seems that it's got worse since moving so I don't know if I've put the plant in the wrong place.

I water once the top layer of soil feels dry which is usually once a week sometimes a little over a week. I tend to use a small jug I have which is 300ml and I fill that up twice so 600ml in total - is this too much or not enough? The water in our area is hard water and I've looked at getting a water filter, would you recommend I buy one? I also spray the plant with water every other day as I know it likes humidity but again I use tap water for this.

Thanks,

Hayley.

@WillC Thank you for getting back to me. At the moment it is about 3 metres from the window and the window faces north-west. I have recently moved house and it seems that it's got worse since moving so I don't know if I've put the plant in the wrong place.

I water once the top layer of soil feels dry which is usually once a week sometimes a little over a week. I tend to use a small jug I have which is 300ml and I fill that up twice so 600ml in total - is this too much or not enough? The water in our area is hard water and I've looked at getting a water filter, would you recommend I buy one? I also spray the plant with water every other day as I know it likes humidity but again I use tap water for this.

Thanks,

Hayley.

@Haytchx - Hi Hayley. Because light intensity drops off significantly with every foot of distance from the window, your Kentia is too far away. Yours should be located as close to the window as possible but just beyond the reach of the direct rays of the sun in the afternoon. That would probably be no more than one meter away. Make sure the window is completely covered during the day.

I don't know what you mean by the "top layer." I recommend that you use your finger to probe the soil in several places and when it is dry about an inch deep, then add water slowly over the entire surface until a bit trickles through the drain holes.

The hard water will cause excess mineral salts to build up in the soil and damage the roots. So, you will definitely need to use filtered, distilled, or rainwater.

Kentias do not require raised humidity and hard water misting will leave mineral deposits on the leaves.

Trim off any discolored fronds as they will not recover.

Hi there. I noticed some mealy bugs on our Kentia Palm and made a solution of water, oil and soap that quickly fixed the problem. Over the following week or so though, two of the fronds have started turning brown, and one has now developed these quite significant white spots. The plant is next to a north facing window so received bright but indirect light. It has been very hot these last couple of weeks and I have had the evaporative cooling on quite a bit (it isn't usually on the rest of the year). Looking after this while my wife is away and would really appreciate some help to save her favourite plant!!

Hi, I've had my kentia for about 2 years now and it has been doing really well up until this point. There are flat white patches over the leaves which can't be rubbed off. It's very prominent under the leaves. It doesn't look like any pests.
Also the tips of all the leaves are brown and I don't know if that's related at all. If anyone knows what I could do that would be so useful!