What Is Wrong With My Broadleaf Lady Palm?

Are the leaves stippled with yellow and the foliage is webbed?

Are the leaves covered with small bumps?

Does your plant shows symptoms like pale or reddish leaves, small leaves, defoliation, branch dieback, stunting, and death?

Are the roots dark brown, plants wilt, yellow, and die?

Do your plants have wilted leaves and dried stems that don’t respond to watering?

Leaves stippled with yellow and webbed foliage is caused by spider mites. These tiny, spider-like pests feed by sucking sap from the underside of the plants leaves causing yellow flecking on the upper leaf surfaces. You can control spider mites by spraying plants thoroughly with water 2-3 times a day for several days. For severe infestations, spray plants with insecticidal soap, or pyrethrin as a last resort.

Leaves covered by small bumps are caused by scales. These tiny, shelled insects often feed on the undersides of the leaves, causing an unhealthy appearance with yellowish blotches on the upper leaf surfaces. Scrape off minor infestations with your fingernail. Prune out badly infested growth, or use a soft brush and soapy water to gently scrub the scales off the stems. Control scales by spraying insecticidal oil during the growing season.

Phytophthora root rot is a soilborne disease promoted by wet soil conditions. Once the disease has been introduced to a field then there is no method of treatment. Remove infected plants. Do not plant related plants in the same area.

These symptoms indicate a fungal disease - Pythium Root Rot. Remove and dispose of any affected plants. Do not overwater plants. Pot in the pasteurized soil mix. Apply a copper-based fungicide to protect plants.

These symptoms could indicate a fungal disease - Rhizoctonia Root Rot. Improve soil drainage by working some compost into the top ten inches. Discard all infected plants. Do not overwater plants. Pot in the pasteurized soil mix. Apply a copper-based fungicide to protect plants.

Broadleaf Lady palm can be susceptible to root rot caused by Fusarium fungus. As the root systems decay, the plants will discolor from the base upwards. Root rot may occur in sites that have poor drainage or are over-watered. Plants that are showing symptoms should be removed and disposed of immediately before there can be a further spread of the disease.