Indoor Palm Black Specks at Base: Likely Insects, Not Disease

Indoor Palm Black Specks at Base: Likely Insects, Not Disease

Small indoor palms with black specks near base, leaves drying: not a disease; likely scale, mealybugs, or spider mites (check undersides).

Treatment

• Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insecticide (indoor formula if available) soil drench.
• Systemic kills insects in 1 week; protects 1 year.
• Available at Home Depot.

Check

• Inspect leaf undersides and stems for bumps, cottony masses, or fine webbing.
• Improve humidity and light if possible.

Insects are common on stressed indoor palms; systemic treatment is easiest.