Overwatered Palm Trees: Signs of Overwatering and Fixes

Last updated on September 5th, 2023 at 05:53 am

Palm trees, with their graceful fronds and tropical allure, are a symbol of paradise in many parts of the world. However, achieving that lush, vibrant appearance can be a challenge, especially when it comes to proper watering. Overwatered palm trees is a common mistake made by well-intentioned plant enthusiasts which can lead to a host of problems. In this article, we’ll explore the telltale signs of overwatering in palm trees and provide practical solutions to help you restore their vitality.

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Signs of Overwatering in Palms Trees

The 9 leading signs of an overwatered palm tree are:

• Drooping leaves
• Black spots on leaves and stems
• Mold on the surface of the soil
• Yellowing leaves
• Browning leaf tips
• Browning stems
• Water sitting in the bottom of the pot tray
• Black roots
• Pests

Drooping Leaves

Droopy leaves are one of the first indications that your palm tree is overwatered. As the tree absorbs too much water, its leaves flop and droop down.

Some growers can get confused as they might think that the issue is related to underwatering.

The clear difference is that normally the soil appears to be slightly wet instead of dry.

Black Spots On Leaves and Stems

Another significant indicator of a palm tree overwatered is black spots on the stems and leaves of the tree.

This happens because the chlorophyll, which is the green pigment of the plant, is disappearing from the leaves. Aside from that, black spots mean the leaves’ cells are damaged.

Black spots prevent the affected leaf from doing the photosynthesis process. In short, the plant won’t be able to make energy.

This problem is common on palm trees that are planted on containers that don’t have drainage holes. Some newbie growers tend to water their potted palm tree too much, resulting in drooping of leaves and black spots.

You can end up with a single stem from a large, multi-stemmed parlor palm tree, queen palm, mexican fan palm, kentia palm, or windmill palm if you don’t fix the issue early.

Mold On the Surface of the Soil

Mold growing on the surface of your palm tree’s soil is another indicator that it is receiving too much water.

A green or white mold can begin to grow on very moist soil and is normally a clear indication that you are excessively watering your palm tree.

Always remember that most palms like to dry out between watering. So, make sure to check out the soil if it’s dry before watering again.

Yellowing Leaves

Yellowing of leaves is probably the most common sign of an overwatering palm tree.

If you water your palm tree too much, the nitrogen will get washed out of the soil. And this can cause nitrogen deficiency in the plant.

Nitrogen deficiency can cause yellowing of leaves because nitrogen is required for the development of chlorophyll, which is the green pigment in the leaves.

If you don’t address this issue soon, all the other leaves might turn yellow. Once they turn yellow, your palm tree won’t be able to make food for energy, thus leading to a dying palm tree.

If the problem is nitrogen deficiency, you can easily solve this issue by using nitrogen fertilizers.

Browning Leaf Tips

Another sign of a palm tree overwatered is browning leaf tips.

When your tree’s leaves turn black or yellow, the tips will eventually turn brown because the leaves start to die.

If not fixed immediately, this problem could spread further and affect the other leaves.

Browning Stems

This one is actually a later indication of an overwatered palm tree.

Browning of stems occurs after the leaves have browned and died. When you spot browning stems, you’ll have a very low chance of recovering your palm tree.

Pests

You will know that your palm tree is overwatered if you see mealybugs, spider mite, and whiteflies.

These pests love moist, soggy conditions, so they’ll infest your tree if you don’t properly water your tree.

Another pest that usually attacks palm trees when they are overwatered is fungus gnats.

Prevent pests from invading your palm tree using pesticides.

Water Sitting In the Bottom of the Pot Tray

Excess water accumulating inside the outer pot or bottom of a pot tray is another indicator that your palm tree is overwatered. Of course, this is only applicable to potted palm trees.

The excess water sitting at the bottom of your palm tree’s container will keep the soil and roots wet for an extended period of time, leading to overwatering.

Furthermore, if the drainage holes are blocked, the roots of your palm tree might not be able to absorb oxygen, which can lead to its death.

Black Roots

A sure indicator of your palm tree overwatered is black roots. This is usually the last sign you’ll see because, most likely, you won’t take out your palm tree from its container since it’s too big.

But when you do, or you dig out some dirt, you will see dark, black roots. Such roots are already dead.

Sometimes, the affected roots and soil around it will smell like a growing mold.

If you don’t get rid of these black roots, the other roots will get affected. Without roots, your palm tree won’t be able to absorb any nutrients and water, which can ultimately lead to its demise.

How Often Should You Water a Palm Tree?

If you’re a true palm tree enthusiast, you already know that these trees don’t really need a lot of water.

Palm trees can thrive easily with low amounts of water and even in extreme growing conditions.

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On the flip side, if your palm tree is a young one, make sure to support its development by regularly watering it.

Then gradually decrease the frequency of watering to once every two days, once every three days, until your palm has adapted to being watered twice or thrice a week.

The general rule of watering palm plants is to make sure that the topsoil is dry before watering again.

How to Know If My Palm Tree Requires a Drink?

When it comes to watering palm trees, there is a general guideline on how to do it properly.

If your palm tree is planted in a 15-gallon container, then it will require 15 gallons of water.

However, take note that this is only a rough guide, and watering might vary depending on the climate. If the weather is consistently very hot, then you should give your palm tree more water.

Moreover, the size of your palm tree’s container will tell the amount of water your palm requires.

If you notice that your palm tree is not growing well or its leaves are turning yellow or brown, it most likely needs some drink.

Aside from that, your palm tree’s leaves might begin to wilt or fold around the midrib to show that it needs some water.

How Much Water Does a Palm Tree Need?

The amount of water your palm tree requires will depend on the container it is in. If it’s in a 10-gallon container, then you must give it 10 gallons of water.

Aside from that, especially those palm trees that are not planted in containers, the type of soil and variety of palm will also matter.

When watering your palm tree, inspect the soil to make sure that it is slightly dry.

The ideal way of watering palm trees is called ‘deep watering.’ It’s a great method of ensuring that the soil is moist but not soggy. Deep watering also ensures that the water will reach the tree’s root system effectively.

Can You Save a Tree that Has Been Overwatered?

Yes, you can, but it will mostly depend on the severity of the overwatering problem.

Saving a Moderately Overwatered Palm Tree

To save a mildly overwatered palm tree, what you want to do is stop watering it once.

Even though your palm tree looks like it needs some drink, it’s probably not the case.

Then, make sure to improve the aeration of your palm tree’s soil. If the soil is compact and clumped together, it will be harder for the roots to take in nutrients and water.

When you aerate the soil, it ensures that the water won’t accumulate around the root system of the tree. Aeration also helps friendly microbes develop and improves oxygen flow.

Before watering, make sure that the soil around the roots is dry. You can try inserting your finger into the soil if the palm tree is planted in a container to check if the soil is still dry. If the tree is directly planted in your yard, just dig out some dirt to see if the soil is still moist.

Once you’ve done the tasks above, here are some other key points to remember to make sure you save your palm tree from overwatering:

Applying Fertilizer

Only feed your palm tree when it displays indications of recovery and new growth. Palm trees love slow-release fertilizers that give them enough time to take in minerals and nutrients.

Proper Lighting

Most palm tree varieties love bright indirect sunlight. So, you should place your palm tree in a cool spot that can receive indirect sunlight. Remember that intense, bright sunlight will cause leaf burn and dehydration for the tree.

Maintain a Good Level of Humidity

Palm trees love humid growing conditions. You can mist your palm tree’s leaves to keep them vibrant without overwatering. Just make sure there’s proper ventilation when misting to prevent fungal diseases.

Using Rainwater or Distilled

Rainwater and Distilled water are the best types of water when watering palm trees. The good thing about rainwater and distilled water is that they contain fewer chemicals, toxins, and salt, which can harm your palm tree’s roots.

Saving a Severely Overwatered Palm Tree

If you happen to overwater your palm tree too much and it is showing signs of weakness, don’t worry because you can still save it using the guidelines below.

Remove Your Palm Tree from Its Container

If your palm tree is planted in a container, you must take a closer look at it by taking it out from its pot. First, lay down dry sheets of clean newspaper, then slowly remove your palm tree out from its container and lay it on the newspaper.

Check the Roots for Indications of Disease or Rot

Delicately remove any clumped dirt around the roots and closely check the tree. Look for black/brownish, mushy roots that have a bad odor to them. If you spot some, your palm tree is most likely suffering from root rot.

You can use a weak stream of water if you’re having a hard time removing the dirt around the roots with your hands.

Getting Rid of the Affected Roots

Using a clean pair of pruning shears or any cutting tools, gently prune away any bad roots.

Don’t forget to clean your tools every after clip. This is a vital part since you don’t want to spread any bacteria or disease to the healthy roots.

Get Rid of Some of the Leaves

Because you’ve trimmed some roots, your palm tree might not be able to sustain itself in its current state. So, to help it, you have to prune some leaves so that your palm tree can efficiently distribute the nutrients and water. We highly suggest removing ⅓ of the leaves away so your palm tree can concentrate its resources on developing new roots.

Use Food-Grade Fungicide and Fertilizer

We highly suggest using a fungicide to get rid of any remaining parasitic fungi that might develop into a severe case again. When choosing fungicides, make sure that you get a food-grade one as they are safe for houseplants and trees.

Aside from using a fungicide, you should also feed your tree with the right fertilizer to boost its natural defenses and make the recovery faster.

But! You don’t want to apply fertilizer right after pruning some roots and leaves.

Repotting Your Palm Tree

Once you verify that the problem is root rot or some kind of root disease, you should get rid of the old soil mix and repot your palm tree to a new, fresh potting mix.

An important benefit of using a new soil mix for your palm tree is that there will be enough aeration, which will help with your tree’s recovery.

This will eliminate any chance of mold, bacteria, and bad fungi from reappearing again and causing serious harm to your palm tree.

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We also highly recommend repotting your palm tree to a new pot or container.

However, if you don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on a new pot, just clean the old pot thoroughly. Use a mixture of nine parts water and one part bleach to sterilize the old container for 30 minutes.

When Should You Water a Palm Tree After Repotting?

It will depend on how severe the damage inflicted to your palm tree was due to overwatering.

It can take some time to develop a good watering routine for your palm tree. But in general, you can start watering the tree again after you see new growth.

Common Mistakes When Watering Palm Trees

There are several common mistakes when it comes to watering palm trees.

The most common mistake is inconsistent, sporadic watering. To avoid this mistake, always check your palm tree and soil for dryness. You should plan a watering schedule to prevent this from happening.

Another mistake is watering the leaves of the palm tree instead of the soil. This mistake is especially true for beginners. You don’t want to water the leaves, especially because you might attract pests and diseases. What you want to do is water your palm tree from the base.

Some growers also make a mistake by watering their palm trees when the weather is too hot. Palm trees love humid conditions but watering them when the sun is too intense will only give them stress and could possibly cause leaf burn.

And lastly, the most common mistake, not just for palm trees but for most houseplants, is watering too much. To be safe, just water your palm tree when you see that the topsoil is dry.

How to Water a Palm Tree

There are two methods of watering palm trees: watering from the top and watering from below.

Watering from the top is, as it says, you water the tree from the top gently. Just stop watering when you see excess water coming out from the container’s drainage holes.

Meanwhile, the way watering from below works is by placing the tree on top of a container or saucer filled with water. Let the tree stand on it for a short while to moisten it up before removing it.

Watering from below seems a bit complicated, that’s why we recommend watering from the top.

But again, the most important thing is to make sure that the soil is dry and your palm tree is not showing any signs of overwatering before giving it a drink.

Factors that Influence Watering Palm Tree

There are some factors that you must consider on how to water a palm tree, such as:

Light Exposure

Palm trees love both shade and indirect sunlight. Excessive sunlight may cause leaf burn and dehydrate the plant further, which means you need to give more water to your palm tree.

Temperature

The ideal temperatures for palm trees are between 40 degrees Fahrenheit to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The colder the temperature, the less water you should give your palm tree.

Humidity

Low humidity levels mean more evaporation and drier air. Palm trees love humid growing conditions. So, to achieve this, you need to water your palm tree frequently but first, consider the wetness of the soil and signs of overwatering.

Types of Indoor Palm Trees that Tend to Get Overwatered

The great thing about palm trees is their ability to provide vibrance and color to any space.

Most palm trees, especially those indoor palms, require just enough water to grow well.

That’s why understanding how to water your indoor palm tree would guarantee its long life and the vibrance it provides.

Areca Palm

Similar to most overwatered plants, when areca palm gets overwatered, its roots will begin to rot.

If the roots are damaged, the palm won’t be able to take in nutrients and water from the soil.

You will spot brown leaves on an overwatered areca palm. If left untreated, your areca palm might die.

To prevent the areca palm tree from being overwatered, plant it in a container with many drainage holes. The container must be big enough to prevent the tree from tipping over. But, it shouldn’t be too big for the soil to take too long to dry.

Ponytail Palm

This palm tree variety can go for many weeks before watering again. Overwatering and improper drainage make ponytail palm leaves or palm fronds turn yellow and fall off.

To avoid overwatering your ponytail palm, use well-draining soil. Use a container that has several holes at the bottom to let the excess water drain off.

The ideal type of pot to plant ponytail palms is a clay pot.

Clay pots are made of porous materials, which means they can absorb some excess water.

Sago Palms

This palm tree variety also loves fast-draining soil. Watering sago palms once a week will suffice.

Just let the soil dry out before the next watering to prevent overwatering. When watering sago palms, make sure that the soil is evenly and thoroughly watered.

Majesty Palm

Compared to ponytail palms, some growers say that the ideal containers for majesty palms are plastic containers. But be it clay pots or plastic pots, the results are the same, at least in our experience.

Underneath the container, put a plastic tray or liner to drain any excess water.

To prevent overwatering of your majesty palm, you would want to remove the plastic container with drainage holes and put it on your sink.

Drench the soil slowly until the entire container has been saturated.

Let it sit for about 15 minutes to allow the excess water to drain from the container before putting it back on its tray.

Conclusion

As we’ve explored in this article, the signs of overwatering in palm trees are subtle but consequential. Drooping fronds, yellowing leaves, and ailing root systems are all red flags that demand our attention. However, armed with knowledge and a commitment to adjusting our watering habits, we can nurse overwatered palm trees back to health.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor