Question
I just bought a 3 and a 1/2 foot palm from the grocery store about 3 weeks ago. It looked healthy when I bought it, and now that it sits in front of an east facing window ( I live in the north - Yukon, which is next to Alaksa)it seems to be deteriorating. The light there is medium, but the leaves are looking extremely dry and ratty, and little curly stringy things are growing from the tips of the leaves. I have not let it get dry, and I don't think it's getting too much/little light. Any suggestions?

Answer
Michelle,

It cannot be constantly wet, nor can it sit in a tray full of water all the time. It needs to dry out partially between waterings so that the top 3-5 inches of soil get dry before it is watered again. Palms are plants from the tropics, they like lots of sun, it is hard for me to imagine that it is possible for them to get enough light in your area for them to possibly to enough light. My son lives in Alaska so I now you do not get much light there this time of year. Palms also need to be kept constantly above 65 degrees and do not like colc drafts. In that climate you would be better off with large peace lillys or cast iron plants. If you have more specific questions feel free to write again. Good luck.  

Darlene