Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Look closely at the undersides of the leaves.
- Check for fine webbing between the leaflets.
- Inspect the stems for small bumps or cottony white spots.
Likely causes
Spider mites
Most likelyHow to tell: You see fine, dusty webbing between the leaflets and tiny yellow stippling on the leaves.
What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth and spray the plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Repeat this every 7 days until the mites are gone.
Scale insects
PossibleHow to tell: Small, brown, immobile bumps appear on the stems and leaf veins.
What to do: Scrape the scale off gently with a fingernail or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Treat the whole plant with neem oil to catch any hidden crawlers.
When to worry
Pests can multiply quickly and weaken the plant significantly. Treat them as soon as you spot them to avoid a full infestation.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the leaves clean by wiping them down occasionally and ensure the plant is not stressed by dry air or poor light.
Not sure which one it is? Photograph your areca palm.
This page lists the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at your actual leaf and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Why do I keep getting spider mites?
- Spider mites thrive in hot, dry conditions. Increasing the humidity around your plant makes it much less attractive to them.
- Are these pests harmful to my pets?
- The pests themselves are not toxic, but the treatments like neem oil should be kept away from pets until dry. Always check the labels on your pest products.
More problems with Areca palm
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.