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Kentia palm · Howea forsteriana

Why is my Kentia palm dropping leaves?

It is less common for a healthy Kentia palm to drop leaves, as this usually indicates severe root issues or extreme environmental stress. Check the roots for signs of rot first.

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Check these first

  1. Inspect the roots for mushy or dark sections.
  2. Check if the soil has been dry for an extended period.
  3. Look for signs of pests that might be weakening the stems.

Likely causes

  1. Root Rot

    Possible

    How to tell: The plant drops leaves while the remaining foliage looks yellow or brown. If you pull the plant from the pot, the roots will look dark, mushy, and smell bad.

    What to do: Remove the plant from its pot and trim away any black or mushy roots with sterilized shears. Repot the palm into a clean container with fresh, well draining soil. Water sparingly until you see new growth.

  2. Severe Dehydration

    Possible

    How to tell: The plant has been dry for a long time, causing the fronds to turn brown and drop off one by one. The stems may look shriveled.

    What to do: Soak the root ball in a basin of water for 30 minutes to rehydrate the soil. After that, return to a regular watering schedule of every 7 to 14 days. Trim off any completely dead or brown fronds to tidy up the plant.

Leaf drop in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your kentia 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

Leaf drop is a serious symptom that suggests the plant is struggling to survive. If the entire plant is dropping leaves rapidly, it may be too late to save it.

Stopping it coming back

Ensure your pot has excellent drainage and never let the plant sit in standing water.

Kentia palm: leaf drop? Check yours with a photo

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

Is it normal for a few leaves to drop?
It is normal for the oldest, lowest leaves to drop occasionally as the plant ages. It is not normal for multiple leaves to drop at once.
Can I save a palm with root rot?
You can save it if you catch it early and remove all the damaged roots. If the rot has reached the main stem, the plant likely cannot be saved.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Kentia palm

Back to the Kentia 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.