It goes without saying that one of the most exquisite houseplants is the Madagascar palm, or lamerei, as some people refer to it. Many people love it and think that this plant is the ideal houseplant because of its unique leaves and spiky stem. This plant is very die-hard; however, sometimes problems occur due to improper care, such as Madagascar palm leaves turning black.
This problem mostly happens to those who keep this plant indoors, and the main reasons for these problems are improper light, overwatering, or exposure to cold weather. In this article provided by the plant’s team, we will talk about common reasons behind Madagascar palm leaves turning black and mention simple methods to prevent and overcome this problem.
Why are my Madagascar palm leaves turning black?
There are many reasons for Madagascar palm black leaves. All of these problems are rooted in improper care and neglect of the plant’s basic needs. Before jumping on the problems, make sure to read Madagascar palm care To find out how to keep this lovely plant at home to prevent any problems; as you know, prevention is better than cure. Here, we have provided 8 common reasons for this problem, and in the following, we will discuss each in detail.
Madagascar palm black leaves have different reasons. Some of the most common ones are as follows:
- Lack of air conditioning
- moisture deficiency
- Improper watering
- fungal disease on leaves
- nutrient deficiency and poor soil
Read the Madagascar palm care article so your plant does not suffer.
1 Lack of air conditioning in the environment
One of the main reasons for Madagascar palm leaves turning black or burnt leaves is the lack of air circulation in the environment; for these reasons, those who keep their plants outside rarely face Madagascar palm black leaves. So, if you want to keep your Madagascar palm indoors, open the windows for a few hours so your plant can receive enough air. Lack of air conditioning will gradually lead to fungal diseases.
It’s critical to use other cooling methods, ensure enough ventilation, and reduce the chance of black leaves, such as placing them in areas with good ventilation, using fans, or providing shade during the hottest parts of the day.
2 moisture deficiency
Madagascar palm is a hygrophyte plant; therefore, they thrive better in hot and humid areas. The largest producers of Madagascar palms as a houseplant are in countries and cities with high humidity; the minimum moisture required by the plant is 50%; as humidity decreases and temperature increases, we will see the tips of the leaves burning and Madagascar palm new leaves turning black. To overcome this problem, try to make a pebble tray under the pot, use a cold humidifier, and spray it with demineralized water; keep in mind that the perfect time for spraying is the morning or the evening, and never do it during noon.
3 Cold and dry weather
This lovely plant is typically native to warm areas of the world, so cold is a definite killer for it. Suppose the weather is too cold and dry. In that case, Madagascar palm black leaves can develop due to extreme moisture deficiency, leading to dehydration. When the temperature reaches below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, move your plant to a warmer place.
Preventive steps, such as moving the plant to a warmer place during cold periods or adding more humidity, are necessary to reduce this risk. Monitor the soil and adjust the watering schedule according to the temperature and the place where you keep the plant.
4 Improper watering can result in black leaves
Since this plant stores water in its trunk, it needs little watering. Both overwatering and underwatering can hurt Madagascar palm. In the overwatering scenario, the soil will be waterlogged, preventing the root from absorbing oxygen and necessary nutrients; as a result, the plant will show signs of discoloration and eventually turn black. On the other hand, underwatering can cause the plant to experience stress, which will affect its overall health of the plant and lead to black leaves. So, it is essential to check the soil; if 1 to 2 inches of it is dry, start watering. Make sure to get rid of the excess water in the saucer to prevent root rot and Madagascar palm yellowing leaves.
What is the proper water for Madagascar palm?
The water used for watering should have some characteristics. It should be at room temperature as the cold or hot water can damage the roots. Using distilled or filtered water is essential as the heavy minerals in the water can damage the plant; for example, Sediments in the water can lead to Madagascar palm leaves turning black. Also, over time, these minerals change the soil’s PH level. So, try to use cooled boiled water or purified water. Note that while watering, try not to get the leaves wet and use chlorine-free water.
5 Can low light lead to Madagascar palm black leaves?
Madagascar palms need light and prefer at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. If you can’t put Madagascar palm in place with direct sunlight, put it in a fully bright and full of light place, like near a window. Low light can result in Madagascar palm black leaves and leaves drop; if Madagascar palm is kept in a place with low light, its new leaves will turn black and stop growing. The best type of light for Madagascar palm is by a window with an obscured glass or sheer curtain. If the light is too low, you can use plant light (grow light) to meet the plant’s light needs.
6 Can fungal disease lead to Madagascar palm black leaves?
Firstly, the place you keep the Madagascar palm should be well-ventilated, and the watering should be proper; otherwise, your plant will get fungal disease. Besides buying healthy plants, using disinfected planting medium is one of the ways to prevent the spread of this disease. Also, blotch can cause spots on the leaves. These spots can vary in colour from yellow to black, depending on the fungal or bacterial agent that causes the disease. The best way to prevent such diseases is to cut out the diseased leaves, prevent Madagascar palm leaves from getting wet, and use sterile and disinfected soils while repotting. Also, in 0cases where the disease is severe, you should use a fungicide to prevent the progression of the disease. To treat and prevent fungal diseases, toxins such as carbendazim should be used, and overwater should be avoided, especially during the cold season and during plant dormancy.
7 Improper soils
Madagascar palm grows well in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH. If Madagascar palm’s soil is not well-drained, it will keep the water inside. So, the same problem as overwatering will happen, and you will face root rot and, eventually, Madagascar palm black and burned leaves. So, the best soil for Madagascar palm is cactus soil or a mixture of Cocopeat + Perlite + sandy soil + Peat moss.
8 improper fertilizers
Lack of nutrients can cause Madagascar Palm Leaves to Turn Black. On the other hand, fertilizers with a high percentage of nitrogen will damage the leaves of this plant. Fertilizers containing high potassium and iron are suitable for feeding the Madagascar palm.
Also, using animal manure inside the soil and other chemical fertilizers like 20-20-20 will lead to Madagascar palm black leaves, which can add excessive nitrogen levels to the soil and cause nutrient imbalances. Therefore, it is not recommended to use balanced fertilizers like Cactus fertilizers in the plant’s growing season, which starts in spring and lasts until late summer.
Why are Madagascar palm leaves turning black
This happens when the pot is not well-drained, or you put it too close to the window, and it receives too much direct light for long hours. First, you should check the back of the leaves to see whether they are sticky or not. If they aren’t, Madagascar palm black leaves result from moisture deficiency and extremely dry weather in the place where you keep them. Too much dry weather can lead to Madagascar palm black tip leaves, especially during warm seasons of the year.
It is highly recommended to put Madagascar palm in place with filtered and indirect light (at least 6 hours per day) to provide enough moisture; you can put a water bowl by the side of the pots. Of course, you can spray water on its leaves, but remember that the water used for spraying should be purified. Water minerals can lead to leaf spots. At first, if these leaf spots are soft and watery, use fungicide every ten days. If the spots appear burnt and dry from the beginning, you need to spray fungicide just once, and for further protection, do this after 45 days.
What are the basic needs of Madagascar palm?
Generally, Madagascar palm (lamerei) needs high light and rich soil, i.e., cactus soil. The temperature should be above 60 degrees. The warmer it gets, the better it will thrive. However, you should keep an eye on the humidity level as the temperature gets higher. If you want to keep Madagascar palm indoors, make sure to put it in a well-ventilated place with enough filtered light.
Madagascar palm leaves turning black in short
To conclude this article, let’s restate that the main reasons for Madagascar palm black leaves are Lack of air conditioning, moisture deficiency, Improper watering, improper soil, and nutrient deficiency. By providing its requirements, you can easily overcome this problem. Do you have any other issues keeping Madagascar palm? We would be pleased to hear your comments and experience.This article has been reviewed by Tibor Janda.
Bel post, l’ho condiviso con i miei amici.
My pachypodium has a white fungus. What should I do?
Most likely, you mean the powdery mildew disease,There are different methods to control and treat powdery mildew.
Removal of infected plant parts
Use of chemicals: Various chemical or organic solutions are available to treat powdery mildew. The most common of them is granular mildew fungicide. If powdery mildew occurs in gardens and home pots, organic home remedies such as baking soda or apple cider vinegar can also be helpful and effective for treating powdery mildew. Powdery mildew fungicide should be reapplied every 7 to 14 days for continuous protection.