Question
I have an indoor palm plant about 3 feet high.  I've had it 2 years and has been doing well until the last 1-2 months when I began to notice driness in the leaves, then stems which now appear dead.  I would estimate about a fourth of the plant appears to be dying or dead (stems discolored and brittle).
I water it weekly.  It is in an office, away from any natural light.
thanks

Answer
Richard,

Florescent lighting would be better for the plant. Even the new florescent bulbs in the fixtures would be good. Good luck.

Darlene

Richard,

Let me ask you, is the office trying to conserve electricity by turning the lights down or part of the lights off? Or are they now closed on the weekends when they used to be open so the lights are now off all weekend leaving the palm in total darknes 2 days a week? When you noticed the leaves turning brown did you start giving it more water?

If the lighting has been reduced that is a major problem. The palm needs a minimum of 12 hours of flourescent light a day 7 days a week. When it gets less it gets some browning on the leaves. That doesn't mean it needs more water, it actually means it needs less. It needs to dry out well between waterings. If you give it additional water the roots do not dry out enough between waterings that they have a chance to breathe in carbon dioxide through the soil and breath out oxygen through the leaves to clean their systems. So then the roots begin to rot and the plant begins to die. Then you think it needs more water and make the problem worse.

You need to increase the light, if you can't do it in the office then take it home. Then you need to decrease the soil moisture. Dry it out and never allow water to sit in the drain tray after watering it. Water in the drain tray rots the roots quickly. Cut back on the amount of water you give the plant and wait longer between waterings, even 2-3 weeks so the plant gets dryer and lighter weight between waterings. If you have more questions feel free to write again.
Good luck.

Darlene