Chamaedorea elegans
Quick answer
Leaf drop on your parlor palm has a few possible causes, and on this plant the likeliest is normal loss of old fronds.
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How to tell
Palms retire their oldest, lowest fronds one at a time as new ones open from the center. A lower frond browning and drooping while the new growth stays green is normal.
The fix
Nothing is wrong. Cut the spent frond off close to the stem once it has fully browned. Worry only if new fronds brown or several go at once.
Not a match? Compare the signs below to find the one you have.
How to tell
It started dropping leaves soon after you bought, moved, or repotted it.
The fix
Pick a suitable spot, keep care steady, don’t fertilize, and let it adjust over a couple of weeks. Many plants settle once conditions stop changing.
How to tell
Leaves yellow and then drop, and the soil stays wet for days after watering.
The fix
Ease off watering, check drainage, and inspect for rot in the roots if it feels soft.
How to tell
Leaves drop after the soil has been bone dry for a while. Watch for crispy frond tips first.
The fix
If the soil is bone dry, water thoroughly, then check it more regularly so it doesn’t dry out that far again.
How to tell
It sits in a draft, near a cold window, or next to a heater, and leaves fall after a cold snap or a sudden temperature swing.
The fix
Move it somewhere with stable, draft-free temperatures.
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