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CHAMAEDOREA Palm question #682685

Asked March 04, 2021, 3:09 PM EST

Hi there! I have a Chamaedorea Palm, and it has been doing really well this past year. Last summer I didn't have it in much sun light, but over the winter I moved it closer to the window. Now I am getting more sunlight in my living room and it is getting direct light (and some of the leaves started turning yellow with brown dots). Do you know if this is because of the sunlight? Or do you think it has not had enough fertilizer (I have not fertilized it in the year I have had it). It has throw off a bunch of shoots since I got it, so I am just trying to figure out what is going on. Thank you!

Ramsey County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for writing. It looks like the plant has too much sun in that the problem seems to begin with brown tips rather than brown spots.

Spider mites, mealy bugs and scale and fungus is also possible.
Here is information on brown spots https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/palm-diseases-nutritional-problems/

https://www.houseplant411.com/houseplant/bamboo-palm-how-to-grow-care-guide-chamaedorea-seifriziie

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/bamboo/bamboo-with-brown-tips.htm#:~:text=Heat%20%E2%80%93%20Too%20much%20heat%20or,a%20bamboo%20with%20brown%20tips.&text=Some%20of%20the%20leaves%20may,be%20replaced%20by%20new%20leaves

I suggest cutting off dead leaves with a very carefully cleaned scissors, moving it to less light, and spraying it and the soil with an organic soap. I might be more specific with tight closeups of the top and bottom of a leaves in the very early stage of the process.

Best of luck

Steve Miles Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (Not an AI Bot) Replied March 04, 2021, 4:09 PM EST

Hi Steve,

Thank you for that information! I have attached more photos of my plant. It seems that all of the tips are brown even on brand new shoots.