Majesty palm is one of the most sought-after plants in the United States. It has an attractive look and an easy-to-tend-to regime that has earned it its place. If you live in any state of the UK, you should get this plant and increase the aesthetics of your home.
Even though caring for this plant is easy enough, you might experience difficulties if not given the proper care. The foliage might get damaged, the color of the leaves might change, or the tips might get curled.
If something of the sort happens, don’t worry; it is pretty easy to bounce back!
Majesty Palm Leaves Curling
The majesty palm leaves curl due to the following reasons:
ยท Underwatering
Majesty palms thrive in moist, humid conditions. It doesn’t enjoy being underwatered. A lack of adequate amount of water might affect the plant badly. As a result, its leaves may dry out and start curling.
Native to the tropics, misting the leaves with water and watering the plant more often will help the leaves to uncurl.
ยท Overwatering
You can neither underwater nor overwater the plant.
When you overwater the plant, its soil becomes soggy, the excess of which affects the plant badly. Poor soil drainage or a pot without a drainage hole might also cause this issue.
An indoor plant’s soggy soil might become a huge problem over time. Prolonged wetness can cause root rot which is devastating for plants.
Once root rot has set in, the only way to save the plant is to cut out the diseased portion. You can repot the plant in indoor potting soil that drains excess water after removing the rotten roots.
Check to see the water requirement. If your index finger sinks an inch or two into the earth and comes out damp, your plants probably don’t need any more watering.
ยท Over-Exposure to Sunlight
The majesty palm is a distinctly tropical plant originating in the deepest tropical forests. Because of their tiny stature, these palms are often situated beneath an overhanging canopy.
Overexposure to sunlight will burn the plant and cause the leaves to curl. Curling occurs because the plant tries to protect more of its leaf tissue from drying out in the sun.
Having the majesty palm right next to a bright window could be harmful. It might benefit from indirect sunlight if you move it away from the window.
ยท Low Humidity
If you live in an area of the United States with low humidity, you might experience curling leaves. Because they prefer damp conditions, majesty palms are commonly found in tropical regions.
Unfortunately, indoor humidity is typically low, especially in the cooler months when heaters are used. On the other hand, air conditioners are used in the summer. They tend to reduce humidity in the room, making it a less-than-ideal condition for the plant to thrive.
You must relocate the plant if you have a palm in a draughty hallway or close to a heating vent. When it is no longer continuously exposed to warm or dry air, the leaves start to uncurl.
Mist the leaves with water regularly. You can also set up a humidifier near the plant. In time, the damp air will uncurl the leaves.
ยท Over-Fertilization
Using a great deal of fertilizer on a majesty palm is unnecessary because most indoor potting soil already contains a decent amount of nutrients. The leaves will curl if you apply too much fertilizer.
A buildup of minerals can alter the soil’s pH. It might not be able to absorb water and nutrients from the soil, which might cause the leaves to curl.
Moreover, if you fertilize your plant too much, you can notice spots or other discoloration on the leaves, especially around the veins. Overfertilization causes this discoloration.
Always read the instructions on the fertilizer box. Try to follow it to the letter. Don’t fertilize too much. It will do more harm than good.
ยท Fungi
Summer is the prime time for fungal issues, including stem and phytophthora root rot. Lesions on stems, wilting, and yellowing of leaves are common signs.
A fungal spray can come in handy to treat a fungal infection effectively. Moreover, preventative maintenance is the best treatment for fungal diseases.
Soil that is too damp usually encourages the growth of fungi. Therefore, if you let the soil dry out in between the watering episodes, you can prevent the formation of fungi.
ยท Pests
Pests thrive in environments with high dust levels, low airflow, and low humidity.
Mealybugs are a common pest found feeding on a majesty palm. They attach their egg sacs to the plant’s leaves and stems. Once the eggs hatch and the bugs mature, they move on to other plant parts, such as leaves, stems, and soil.
The whitefly is an insect that lives along the leaf’s margin. It feeds off the leaves and excretes a sugary material that quickly ferments. As the mold spreads, it covers the leaves and prevents them from receiving any sunlight.
The majesty palm is host to the palm aphid, which feeds on it by sucking the sap from the leaves and stem. Aphids, like whiteflies, cause light blockage by secreting a sugary material on the leaves.
The leaves get discolored and dusty due to red spider mites, which spin webs. You can opt for treating mild infestations. However, a heavy infestation may need plant removal to avoid further spread.
Make a solution of warm soapy water and apply it directly to the insects and plants to rid the house of them. If you make your insecticidal spray, you can apply it without worrying about getting it on your kids or the plants.
Use castile soap instead of scented soaps or dish soap. Many types of soap have detergents that can harm a plant’s leaves.
ยท Exposure Tap Water
Most people use tap water to water their majesty plants. It often contains salts and other elements that eventually accumulate in the soil.
Salt and mineral accumulation lower soil pH, making it challenging to take essential nutrients like nitrogen. As a result, the leaves of the plant curl and turn yellow.
If it happens, repot the plant in fresh soil immediately. Constantly water the plant with purified water.
After letting the water sit overnight, the salts and minerals in tap water will settle to the bottom of the water pail, allowing you to utilize the water without worrying about them.
Things to Remember
If you provide your majesty palm plant with the necessary circumstances, you can prevent its leaves from curling. Here’s how to give it the best possible care from the ground up:
ยท Watering
Don’t let the soil dry out completely. The plant needs watering when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Stick your index finger down into the earth a few inches to get a feel for how wet it is. A plant must not be watered if the soil is still damp.
A drainage hole at the bottom of the container and well-drained soil is also essential.
ยท Indirect Sunlight
Majesty palm thrives in bright, indirect light. These plants prefer to be under the shade of a jungle canopy. Therefore, position them near a window but not directly in the sun’s path. It is preferable to place it in a north or west-facing window.
ยท Moisture
Majesty plant prefers damp environments. However, try to protect the plant from sudden changes in humidity and temperature.
Temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit are excellent. Humidity levels between 40% and 80% are optimum.
Daytime misting of the foliage reduces humidity levels. Keeping the foliage misted also keeps it from drying out and becoming brown.
The plant will not flourish and show indications of stress in soil that does not drain well.
ยท Fertilizer
Put only the right amount of fertilizer in the ground. You can always add more, but it’s hard, if not impossible, to take away when seasoning food. Use a dilute fertilizer solution during the spring and summer growing seasons.
ยท Pests
Several methods are available for pest elimination. Some common approaches are listed below:
- You can spray the pesticides on the soil’s top layer to kill off adults and keep larvae under control. Spraying Malathion or Acephate on soil mealybugs will kill them.
- When compared to synthetic insecticides, neem oil has many advantages. It can kill the eggs, the larvae, and the adults.
- Clean the leaves with a homemade dish soap and water solution by spraying or wiping the plant. You only need a few milliliters of soap per gallon of water. Use it once every two days for two weeks.
- Apply an apple cider vinegar (ACV) spray. The ratio of water to apple cider vinegar should be 3 to 1.
- Use rubbing alcohol to clean the plants thoroughly.
Final Word
Because of its modest requirements for care, a majesty palm is a good houseplant for novice gardeners. However, don’t forget to watch the plant closely. The only thing necessary to keep it happy is a conducive environment.
Leaves that are beginning to curl are an early indicator of stress. Take care of the situation as soon as it starts to appear.
Read more:
- Majesty Palm Repotting: A Full Guide
- Majesty Palm Turning Yellow
- Majesty Palm Safe for Dogs, Is Majesty Palm Toxic to Dogs
- Why Is My English Ivy Not Growing?
- Sago Palm Leaves Curling
- Sago Palm Leaves Turning Brown
- Parlor Palm vs. Majesty Palm
Hi! I’m Sophia, and I love plants – especially an expert in growing house plants. I stay in Chicago, United States of America, and through my blog and social media platforms, provide tips and tricks on how to grow healthy, vibrant plants indoors. Check out more here.