Majesty Palm hails from Madagascar and is a perfect plant for indoor container gardening.
Some gardeners claim it’s a demanding houseplant, but I believe the lush green fronds are worth all the effort and hassle.
Yellowing of fronds or entire leaves is a very common issue for Majesty Palm.
This article shares all the information about this simple yet devastating topic that impacts the beauty of your Majesty Palm.
Table of Contents
Why Is My Majesty Palm Turning Yellow?
Majesty palm is turning yellow because of improper watering and inadequate sunlight. An incorrect amount of sunlight or moisture will weaken your palm and make it vulnerable to pest infections. Other reasons for yellow leaves on Majesty palms are low humidity or a nutrient deficiency.
Top Reasons for Yellowing of Majesty Palm
Light
Majesty Palm prefers filtered but bright sunlight. Exposing it to direct sunlight will result in sunburns and yellowing of leaves.
At the same time, this Palm variety does not appreciate very low light. Low light levels will result in slow growth because there is a lack of photosynthesis.
The leaves will also start yellowing and may even fall if left in a dark area for too long.
You will notice that the lower or older leaves will start yellowing in case of lighting issues because, as a survival technique, the Majesty Palm utilizes the resources for new leaves.
If you are confused about what light is best for your Majesty Palm, I recommend finding a location where it receives medium sunlight. This location should not be too dark or too bright.
If you suspect your plant will receive direct sunlight, use curtains or blinds to mellow the intensity of light or relocate it.
I have placed my Majesty Palm in a sunny window as it likes bathing in sunlight.
Water
The soil moisture level also plays a critical role in the health of Majesty Palm, especially the fronds. Make sure you maintain a perfect balance between over and under-watering.
Both too much and too little watering can result in yellowing issues. Bone dry or waterlogged soil can stress your plant, which triggers yellowing.
Irregular watering can also be the reason behind yellowing because the soil lacks the desired moisture level.
The moisture level directly relates to the light intensity. If your plant is placed under the full sun, it needs more water.
But in the case of low light, the water requirement decreases since the water evaporates at a lower rate. I would not recommend placing the Majesty Palm under low light if you want healthy green fronds.
You should follow a watering schedule based on your environment. A general thumb rule is to water the plant when half of the soil is dry.
Your pot or container should have proper holes in it to get rid of excess water. Else, the plant will end up experiencing root rot.
Humidity
The native tropical environment of Majesty Palm has lots of humidity, so naturally, the plant demands the same from you.
If the air humidity is too low, the edges of the fronds will turn brown and eventually lose all the color and turn yellow.
I like misting the fronds on my Majesty Palm if the air feels too dry. It helps maintain the desired humidity levels.
This Palm variety needs at least 50% or more humidity.
If you live in a very dry climate, buy a humidifier for your tropical plants, as it’s the easiest way to maintain adequate humidity.
Pest Infestation
Generally, weak plants growing in improper conditions are more susceptible to pest infections.
Sap-sucking insects feed on plant nutrients and suck the moisture from the Majesty Palm, which eventually causes the yellowing of leaves.
If left untreated, these bugs can damage the whole plant, and you will end up losing all the leaves.
To minimize pest damage, make sure your Majesty Palm receives adequate sunlight, nutrients, and moisture. You should also regularly inspect the top and bottom of the fronds for any pests.
If your plant is infected, use neem oil for treatment. You can read our detailed article about how to use neem oil on houseplants.
Spray the neem oil on all infected areas and isolate the plant for at least 2 weeks or until you get rid of the pests.
Nutrient Deficiency
This is also a common cause behind yellow leaves on Majesty Palm, especially if you use poor soil or skip fertilization.
I would suggest fertilizing your Majesty Palm with a Palm fertilizer or an All-purpose fertilizer regularly in spring and summer. Palm trees should be fertilized at least 3 or 4 times per year.
This ensures that nutrients will be steadily supplied to the plant throughout the entirety of the growing season.
Do not ignore the micronutrients because lack of magnesium also causes yellow leaves. You can use Epsom salt to treat magnesium deficiency.
Always choose a fertilizer that has iron.
I would highly recommend performing a soil test to find the exact nutrient content of your soil.
Common Yellowing Patterns on Majesty Palms
Yellowing of lower leaves
It is a natural aging process and isn’t indicative of any underlying issues. You can trim these leaves while pruning.
Yellow or brown leaf spots
This could be due to temperature change, overwatering, or poor soil drainage.
The entire frond is streaky yellow or mottled
This usually indicates a lack of moisture because the roots of your plant are not getting enough moisture and remain dry for too long. It is a common issue in summer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Majesty Palm Turning Yellow
What pests cause yellow leaves on Majesty Palm?
Spider mites are common pests that infect Palm varieties, including the Majesty Palm. They are sap-sucking pests that feed on the plant nutrients or moisture and cause yellow leaves. Thoroughly inspect the fronds for mites or white webs, and once confirmed, treat your majesty Palm with neem oil.
Why does underwatering cause yellow leaves on Majesty Palm?
In the native tropical region, Majesty Palm receives plenty of water as it grows along streams and rivers. For this reason, under-watering severely impacts this plant (browning and yellowing of leaves) compared to other tropical palms.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.