Ah, the Kentia Palm. We love it for the effortless tropical vibe it creates, striking beauty, and easy going attitude, but yellow leaves are never fun and sadly they can be quite common on this variety. Discoloring fronds won't change back to green so you'll have to trim them off, but here are a few things that could be causing them, plus adjustments you can make to keep your palm lush and green.
Overwatering
Yellowing spots are more often than not the result of stagnant moisture in the soil, typically due to watering too much. Try drying out the soil a bit before the next watering - this could take a few weeks. If the yellowing continues, root rot may have set in. Check the soil and if there is plenty of moisture, offer your Kentia a soil change and trim damaged dark and soft roots. Healthy roots will be white and firm.
Lack of Moisture
Browning tips are typically caused by under watering, but a thirsty Kentia Palm may also show some yellowing or dying fronds. This plant loves a humid environment, so make sure to water when the top two inches of the soil are dry and add misting to your routine.
Too Much Fertilizer
Kentias are slow growers and don't require much fertilizer. If you overdo it on the fertilizer, this may cause discoloration or fertilizer burn on the leaves. Moving forward, fertilize only in the growing season (spring and summer), and never more than once a month.
Light Imbalance
Kentia Palms are prone to sunburn, so keep them out of harsh direct sunlight. Instead, try soft dappled light, indirect light, or medium light (see our light guide if you’re not sure!). Keep in mind the more light your Kentia gets, the thirstier it may be and vice versa.
A Note on Leaning
Leaning branches are common for Kentias as the fronds can get top heavy. Stake or loosely tie the branch back into place, and make sure to rotate your plant regularly for even growth on all sides.
