Help with dying kentia palm

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I would love some help with my dying kentia palm! I have a young palm at my office that seems to have completley dried out over the course of 5 days. I applied a coating of neem oil to the leaves on Wednesday and due to inclement weather was unable to get back to the office until the following week. Come Monday morning I see the entire plant has dried up. Not brown leaves but like a completely dehydrated plant. It probably needed a little water last week but I thought better not to over water in the winter, let the top layer of soil dry out. Was it the neem oil, lack of sun from several overcast snowy days, lack of water? I would have thought the application of the oil should have protected it from drying out. Is there anything I can do to revive my plant? I would greatly appreciate advice!

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Comments (3)

stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
8 years ago
Sounds like it was killed from too much love. The Neem oil caused a bad reaction by these slow growing palms. Whats not dead might recover if you were able to get it to a greenhouse,but I get that its an office plant and chances are ...not good.

When you are sure the fronds are dead,cut them off and do your best to keep it watered properly and with brightest light- but not direct window sun.

Palms as indoor plants are a hard grow for most so don't feel bad.
User thanked stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
User
8 years ago
I have no problems with palms indoors and I am in New Jersey.

Kentia is NOT a difficult palm. Have never had the need for applying neem oil but that must have done the damage.
User thanked User
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Original Author
8 years ago
I have my palm by a humidifier most of the day now. I'll pass along anything that works if I happen to get it resurrected!

I applied the neem oil because a palm at home had a small scale infestation so I just thought why not apply it to all the palms as precautionary. The one at my office is the only one that reacted that way.

I'm new to keeping plants alive, just recently killed a couple succulents, apparently still much to learn.