That is not watering issue........you have a mealy bug infestation. And a pretty bad one at that!

These are not the easiest pests to control, as they manage to find their way down into any little nooks and crannies where leaves join stems or where stems have sheaths that cover them, even partially. Wiping the plant down thoroughly with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol should remove most of them. I would also use something like neem oil or insecticidal soap to attempt to get all the other nasty little critters that are not clearly visible and hiding in the plant parts.

And keep your palm away from an other houseplants!

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><md>Ugh!! Wow ok... So what your saying even tho it seems like a very bad problem I still can save the plant? My first thought is to actually Just remove most of the plant, change the soil and hope for it to grow nice and big again. I would try the rubbing alcohol method also but when your explaining it being so bad infestation managing to get to all of the bugs with rubbing alcohol seems very overwhelming

Yes, you can save it if you are diligent and willing to put in the time and effort. However, it is not an easy process and many gardeners that encounter a severe mealy bug infestation on either indoor or outdoor plants opt instead to toss or remove them and start over. It's your choice.

It looks more like a scale insect infestation, to me. The whole treatment is the same, though! ;-)

Its a scale infection, which is even worse. I dont find them dying if I spray them with 70% alcohol and the only way is to remove them somehow with your hands or wash your plant after you sprayed them with something that will remove them faster. What is great tho is that they prefer palms so your other plants should be great and not infected.

Hi! it took me a good 3 hours to clean mine.. I turn the tv on, got a tooth pick and removed them all ! I clean the big chunks with a moist paper towel and cotton ball and worked leaf by leaf.. 3 hours spent not thinking of daily bad news!

I have two large Areca palms next to each other, I noticed one of them has this scale infection. I’ll try washing them, leaf by leaf, with dish soap and baking soda and hope I can save it 🙏🏻