Can You Over-Water an Areca Palm Tree?

Water Requirements

• Indoors or out, areca palms need plenty of water. Indoor plants should be watered frequently enough to keep the soil consistently moist, while outdoor plants thrive in a location that provides rich, wet soil. Drainage is key: Although the soil should be wet in both cases, it should never be soggy or waterlogged. Container plants should have holes in the base to allow for drainage, and outdoor plants should be in a location that drains well -- not a depression or other area that collects standing water. Water your palm so that the soil is just moist to the touch, not muddy or squishy.

Root Rot

• Overwatering can cause root rot, a fungal disease that destroys the roots of the plant. Although this is most common in houseplants, it can also affect outdoor plants. According to the Cal Poly Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute, the areca palm is susceptible to root rot if overwatered. Symptoms include wilting, yellowing leaves and leaf drop. Unfortunately, by the time the symptoms show up, there is usually little you can do to save the plant, as the roots are likely already rotten. You can try repotting the plant in a clean, sterilized pot and pasteurized soil.

Other Culture

• Although care should be taken not to overwater your palm, other conditions are equally important. Indoors, the plants thrive in bright but indirect sunlight. Place this plant directly in the sun, and you will likely see scorched leaves. Browning tips on the leaves can also mean you erred on the side of caution and under-watered your plant. Outdoor plants do tolerate full sun but grow best in dappled shade.

Climate

• Cold temperatures contribute to root rot and will harm your palm in other ways as well. The areca palm is native to Madagascar and is not tolerant of freezing temperatures. The plant thrives outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. Indoors, it grows best in temperatures that remain over 60 degrees Fahrenheit.