Are scale insects hard to get rid of?

They can be persistent, so you must be thorough. Check every leaf and stem carefully and treat the plant repeatedly until they are gone.

Should I cut off the yellowing leaves?

Yes, once a leaf is mostly yellow or brown, it will not turn green again. Trimming it helps the plant focus its energy on healthy growth.

Why is my Raffia palm losing its leaves? Causes and fixes

Check these first

Inspect the undersides of the leaves for small brown bumps.
Check if the soil is pulling away from the sides of the pot.
Look for any webbing or sticky residue on the foliage.

Likely causes

Scale Insects
Most likely
How to tell: You see small, brown, bump like insects clustered on the undersides of the leaves or along the stems. They suck the sap and cause the leaves to weaken and fall off.
What to do: Wipe the leaves down with a cloth dipped in soapy water or rubbing alcohol to remove the insects. Repeat this process every week until you no longer see any pests.
Severe Dehydration
Possible
How to tell: The oldest leaves turn yellow or brown and drop off because the plant cannot support them. The soil will be very dry and compacted.
What to do: Water the plant deeply to rehydrate the root ball. If the soil has pulled away from the edges of the pot, press it back down to ensure water reaches all the roots.

Find out what's wrong with your raffia 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.

When to worry

If the palm is losing multiple leaves at once, it is a sign of a major problem. It is normal for the very oldest, lowest leaf to yellow and drop occasionally as the plant grows.

Stopping it coming back

Regularly inspect the undersides of leaves for pests and keep the plant well hydrated.

Keep your raffia palm healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Are scale insects hard to get rid of?: They can be persistent, so you must be thorough. Check every leaf and stem carefully and treat the plant repeatedly until they are gone.
Should I cut off the yellowing leaves?: Yes, once a leaf is mostly yellow or brown, it will not turn green again. Trimming it helps the plant focus its energy on healthy growth.

Why is my Raffia palm losing its leaves?