Palm trees are members of the botanical family Arecaceae, of the order Arecales. They thrive in tropical and warm temperate climates, and commonly-known species include the date palm and the coconut palm. They are popular as ornamentals in parks and gardens, and along streets. However, they also suffer their share of problems, overwatering being one such issue.
Common signs of an overwatered palm tree
Pale, limp leaves
An overwatered palm tree will have an unhealthy appearance and the leaves will appear pale and limp. Healthy palm trees have vibrant, luscious foliage which will be noticeably absent if the tree is overwatered. Its canopy will lose its shape and droop down, lacking strength. The reason the leaves become limp is that the roots are damaged and cannot absorb nutrients.
Reduce the amount of water or hold off watering completely so that the roots have a chance to dry out and will be able to absorb oxygen again. If caught in time, this will enable the plant’s circulation to return to normal.
Root rot
An overwatered palm tree’s roots will become suffocated in the constantly soggy soil, and they will be unable to absorb oxygen, nutrients or minerals. The drowned roots will be susceptible to root rot, which can cause major plant damage because the roots are the plant’s lifeline. Fungi and disease could spread from the roots to the rest of the plant, by which time it will likely be too late to save your palm tree. This is why any overwatering issue should be acted upon at once. Pay close attention to any foul smell, and check for roots that are brittle or black and mushy.
Presence of pests
Pests like mealybugs, fungus gnats and whiteflies thrive in humid and soggy environments. If your plants are overwatered, it is quite likely there will be pests lurking, too.
Loss of color in the foliage
Palm trees will lose their vibrant green, lush foliage colors if they are overwatered. When the roots are unable to absorb nutrients from the soil due to the constant excess moisture, the plant will develop a nutrient deficiency and chlorosis will set in, causing the leaves to turn yellow. If this happens, reduce your watering and prune or remove any leaves that have turned brown.
How to save an overwatered palm tree
Remedy the root rot
Treat root rot by removing the palm from the soil and washing off the roots with running water. Use sharp scissors to cut off rotten roots and save the healthy ones so they can bounce back. Sterilize the scissors between cuts, to prevent the spread of infection. Dispose of the old soil and wash the pot with a solution of bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
Repot the palm tree
Having pruned away any rotting roots, leave the remaining roots to dry out for a day before repotting the palm tree. The fresh potting mix should be well-draining, and you can add sand and pea gravel to act as mulch. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes.
Place the palm in a shaded spot
Place the plant in a shaded spot to recover, and move it back to its normal position once it becomes healthy again. Add perlite to improve soil aeration and increase drainage. Use tap water, rain water or distilled water for watering.
Below are some tips to prevent any further overwatering accidents:
- To improve drainage, add sand to the soil.
- Use a moisture meter to check the moisture in the soil before watering your plants. You can also use a shovel to dig into the soil and check whether it is water-logged.
- Plant palms of the same variety together, so that they share the same water requirements.
- Water more during hot weather and reduce watering during winter.
- Do not deep-water every time you water the plants.
How much water does my palm need?
Palm trees prefer moist soil and should ideally be watered several times a week. When planting these trees, water them daily for the first week and every other day for the second week. Thereafter, water at least two to three times weekly.
Be sure to check the surface of the soil with your fingers and water your palm when the soil feels dry. If the soil is still wet, check it again after a few days, as this is an indication that it is still too soon to water.
Conclusion
An overwatered palm tree will deteriorate to develop an overall sickly appearance, with leaf discoloration. Aside from yellowing, the leaves may also turn brown or black, and will appear limp, soggy and wilted. Root rot may develop, and there could be a noticeable presence of pests.
To save your overwatered palm tree, start by remedying any root rot and repotting the palm in fresh soil. Remember to place it in a shaded spot while it recovers.
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