Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Examine the young coconuts for scarring.
- Look for fine webbing on the undersides of leaves.
- Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to check for pests.
Likely causes
Coconut Mite
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see scarring, brown patches, or stunted growth on the young coconuts. These mites are very tiny and hard to see without a lens.
What to do: Use horticultural oil or neem oil to treat the affected areas. Apply it thoroughly to the young fruit and the base of the fronds.
Spider Mites
PossibleHow to tell: Fine webbing appears between the leaflets and the leaves look dusty or speckled. The foliage may eventually turn yellow.
What to do: Wash the leaves down with a strong stream of water to knock the mites off. Follow up with an application of insecticidal soap.
Find out what's wrong with your coconut palm
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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When to worry
If you see heavy webbing or if the fruit is severely deformed, you must act fast. Pests can spread quickly to other parts of the tree.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your palm healthy with proper water and light, and inspect the fronds and fruit every time you water.
Coconut Palm: pests? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your coconut palm and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Are these pests harmful to me?
- No, coconut mites and spider mites are not harmful to humans. They only feed on the plant tissues.
- How often should I treat for mites?
- Apply treatments every 7 to 10 days until you no longer see signs of the pests. Be sure to cover both sides of the leaves.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Coconut Palm
Back to the Coconut Palm guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.