Question
We just purchased 2 palms from our local Lowe's.  They were outside in their garden center all summer long.  We replanted them and now they are both turning brown (starting from the top).  Is there something we need to add to the soil to make them come back or are they dying?

Answer
Mary Beth,

It is not something you need to add to the soil. You needed to not repot them, this is the wrong time of year to repot them when the days are getting shorter and they are going semi dormant. You put them into shock by repotting them this time of year. I hope you moved them to the same size pot just more decorative. If you moved them to a larger pot you are over watering them because they cannot use up the water in the larger pot when they are going into a dormant cycle so their roots are probably beginning to rot and that is causing the browning. If you can move them to the brightest location possible and get them lots of sun it may help. Empty the drain tray after you water them so they are not sitting in a tray full of water. That may help stop the roots from rotting.

Your best answer is more sun and less water. If it is any consolation I have trould with potted palms myself. If you want an indoor palm the best type to look for is a bamboo palm. It is the easiest to care for.

The only time of year any houseplant should be repotted is between April 15th and June 30th.  Good luck.

Darlene