Pygmy Date Palm in Pot: Soil Change Solves Yellowing

Diagnosis

2+ year old pygmy date in large pot, yellowing/browning fronds, new growth affected. Systemic granules didn't help. Watering unchanged.

Root Cause

Soil never changed. Compacted, salt-laden soil from past fertilizing compromises roots.

Fix

1. Repot with fresh soil.
2. Add 2-inch drainage layer.
3. Upgrade pot size if roots circled.
4. Keep yellow fronds for now (still photosynthetic).
5. New growth will be healthy; old fronds prune later.

Maintenance

Container palms need soil refresh every 1–2 years to prevent salt buildup.