My Chinese Palm Plants Are Turning Yellow

Sunlight

• Chinese palm plants require full sunlight to partial shade. If you live in an area that receives very strong and hot summer sunshine, you may need to move the palm into an area where there is partial shade. An over-abundance of sunshine could burn the palm fronds, causing them to turn yellow or brown. Make sure that the location is also protected from strong winds, as strong winds have a tendency to damage the palm, which could also cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop.

Water

• The palm needs a moderate amount of moisture, which means the soil should feel dry to the touch before you add more water. Both too little water and too much water may result in leaves turning yellow. Check the soil with your fingers every few days and when the soil is no longer moist, but not powdery dry, then add more water until the soil is moist again but not flooded or muddy.

Soil Amendments

• The soil in which the palm grows needs to be well draining. If you notice that the water does not drain quickly from the soil, incorporate loam, sand or hardwood bark into the first two inches of the oil to increase drainage. You can incorporate these materials into the soil with a hand tiller. If you live in an area where the annual minimum temperature is less than -10 degrees Fahrenheit -- U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 1 through 5 -- then add 10 inches of mulch to the top of the soil to protect the palm from the cold temperatures, which can yellow the palm plant leaves.

Pests and Problems

• Several problems can affect Chinese palm plants, which can cause the plant to turn yellow. Treat pests such as spider mites and scale insects with insecticidal soap according to the application instructions. If several leaves are badly damaged and yellow, then prune those leaves away so that the rest of the plant won't become infected. For indoor plants that are suffering from root rot, due to overwatering, remove the plant from its planter, wash the roots thoroughly in water, then trim away any of the dead or rotting roots with a knife or pair of sharp scissors. Try to avoid removing a large amount of the root system, which could kill the plant.