Saving an Office Palm Suffering from Low Light and Overwatering

A 3‑foot indoor palm in a windowless office, watered weekly, showed dry, brittle stems on ~25% of the plant.

Diagnosis

Fluorescent light minimum 12 hours/day, 7 days/week is needed. If lights are reduced (evenings/weekends off), the palm declines. Overwatering in low light accelerates root rot.

Fix

• Increase artificial light duration/intensity.
• If impossible, take the plant home.
• Drastically reduce watering: let soil dry thoroughly (2–3 weeks between waterings), never leave water in tray.