How to Care for Browning Palm Trees

Move the potted palm to a site with full to partial sunlight, since excessive shade can cause the leaves to turn brown. For outdoor palms, cut overhanging branches of nearby trees and shrubs to increase sunlight exposure.

Remove the existing water from the base of the plant by emptying saucers or flats under potted palms. Press down firmly on top of the soil and turn the pot sideways to allow it to flow out. Overwatering the palm, or causing pools of water around its base, causes its fronds to turn brown. For outdoor palms, withhold watering until the soil around the root zone becomes lightly dry, preferably only watering once every week during the growing season.

Douse the household palm with water if you notice a white crusty layer on the soil surface and around the edges of the pot. The white fertilizer salts indicate excessive fertilizer applications that cause browning leaves. Wash the fertilizer away with water until it drains out through the base of the pot. Feed the palm a fertilizer specifically formulated for houseplants.

Feed an outdoor palm a slow-release fertilizer three times a year if insufficient nutrients in the soil cause its fronds to turn brown. Follow label directions for application rates to avoid over-fertilizing the tree.

Rinse the foliage with a spray of lukewarm water to remove pests such as mites, scale, plant hopper and thrips that cause browning leaves and act like vectors that transmit diseases. For outdoor plants, hose the leaves with water or apply a registered insecticide.

Protect your indoor palms from cold injury that causes brown leaves. Avoid placing the potted plants near windows or doors with cold drafts.