Question
QUESTION: I have a very large palm tree about 7 feet tall, with some of the branches are brown, some are very dry and some of the branches are green and the other half is brown. The planter that it is in is about 17 inches tall and it has a southern exposure. I water it well once it becomes dry. I would like to know how can I save the plant and make it lush again; I feel as though I'm losing it.
ANSWER: Kevin, I'll need some more info, how long has it been in the pot, do you mist the fronds daily (you should be), is it in the same pot it came in when you purchased it? browning fronds on a shade loving palm (I'm assuming its a Majesty palm or what they call a Parlor palm) can be from too much sun also. follow up if you would with the information requested. Nick

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QUESTION: Yes it is in the same pot. In fact I was considering changing it into a larger pot about 22". It is in a pot about 17.5". I was even thinking about placing another palm in the new larger pot to make it full once again. And no I do not mist the fronds.

Answer
The palm is probably root bound and experiencing root rot, from its roots sitting in residual moisture at the bottom of the old pot; this frequently happens when a plant is allowed to stay in its original container too long. The original container has no drainage medium to contain water and keep it away from the bottom roots (thus preventing the roots from rotting). Remove it from its present container and repot it into the larger one; put about 2 inches of pea stone at the bottom so that the problem doesn't happen again. The palm may be too far gone, but time will tell; or you can put a new palm in. Never keep any plant in its original container for more then a month; the nurseries provide these pots as a transient container, not a permanent one...good luck Nick