Overwatering
Wet soil plus yellowing lower fronds points squarely at overwatering — the most common way to lose an Areca.
Diagnosis
Overwatering
What's happening
Areca Palm wants soil that's evenly moist but never waterlogged. When the roots sit in soggy mix they can't take up oxygen, so they begin to suffocate and rot. The plant responds by sacrificing its oldest, lowest fronds first, which yellow uniformly and then go limp and brown.
How to fix it
Stop watering and let the top few inches of soil dry out. Slip the plant from its pot and inspect the roots — healthy ones are firm and pale, so trim away any brown, mushy roots with clean scissors and repot into a fresh, fast-draining mix in a pot with drainage holes. Going forward, water only when the top 1–2 inches feel dry, and always empty the saucer so the pot never sits in standing water.
What fixes it
- A soil moisture meter — A moisture meter removes the guesswork — only water when it reads dry an inch or two down.
If that doesn't fix it
This is general guidance based on common symptoms; individual plants vary.
Read the full Areca Palm care guide →
Reviewed June 2026 · how we check this