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Areca palm · Dypsis lutescens

Why are my Areca palm's leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves on an Areca palm usually signal that the plant is unhappy with its water or light. Check the soil moisture first to see if you are overdoing it or letting the plant get too dry.

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yellow leaves on a plant
Photo: Trio3D, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Touch the soil to check for dampness.
  2. Inspect the pot for standing water.
  3. Move the plant to a spot with brighter indirect light.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The soil stays soggy for days and the lower leaves turn yellow and mushy.

    What to do: Let the top inch of soil dry out completely before watering again. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so water never sits at the bottom.

  2. Nutrient deficiency

    Possible

    How to tell: Older leaves turn a pale yellow while the veins remain green.

    What to do: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength once a month during the growing season. Do not fertilize during the winter months.

Yellow leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your areca 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.

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When to worry

It is normal for the oldest, lowest leaves to yellow and drop as the plant grows. Worry if the yellowing spreads rapidly to the newer, upper fronds.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a consistent watering schedule and keep the plant in bright, indirect light to keep foliage healthy.

Areca palm: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your areca 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.

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Questions people ask

Should I cut off the yellow leaves?
Yes, you can trim them off with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. It will not hurt the palm.
Does low light cause yellowing?
Yes, if the plant does not get enough light, it cannot produce enough energy and will start to yellow. Try moving it closer to a window.

More problems with Areca palm

Back to the Areca 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.