Mountain palm leaves droop

Why is my mountain palm drooping?

When your mountain palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is drooping, these are the most common causes ball dryness and waterlogging.

The reasons are understandable: the mountain palm comes from the mountainous regions of Mexico, where it thrives in the humid shade of mighty trees. One consistent humidity in the air and on the ground, the general conditions dominate. Because the mountain palm is not hardy, it is called in this country houseplant cultivated in the tub. A Mexican mountain palm reacts to care errors in the water supply with drooping leaves.

What to do if the mountain palm leaves are drooping due to drought?

root ball

• Place the dried root ball in a bucket of water to soak it up.
• Spray leaves with lime-free water.
• The coaster with water and expanded clay fill to increase local humidity.
• From now on water the mountain palm thoroughly in summer as soon as the substrate surface dries.
• Ideally switch the mountain palm to hydroponics or a irrigation system,(€21.00 at Amazon*) to meet the high demand for water.

What to do if the mountain palm leaves are drooping due to waterlogging?

Instant repot is the best option when a mountain palm droops its leaves due to waterlogging. Basically, mountain palms tolerate intermittent wet potting soil. In standing water over a long period of time, the roots rot, the transport of water and nutrients comes to a standstill, whereupon the mountain palm leaves hang limp. How to act correctly now:

1. Pot mountain palm.
2. Remove wet substrate from the root ball.
3. Create a 5 cm high drainage in the bucket on the bottom of the pot.
4. Plant mountain palms in fresh substrate or alternative potting soil with watering indicator.
5. As an exception, only water the potted plant after a week.