Low humidity
Crispy brown tips in dry air are the most common Kentia complaint.
Diagnosis
Low humidity
What's happening
Kentia comes from the mild, humid air of Lord Howe Island and resents bone-dry indoor air. Near a heating vent or air conditioner, the thin frond tips lose water faster than the roots can replace it, so they brown and turn crisp from the very tips inward while the rest of the frond stays green.
How to fix it
Raise the humidity around the plant: group it with other plants, set the pot on a tray of pebbles and water, or run a small humidifier nearby — and move it away from vents and drafts. Snip just the browned tips off with clean scissors, following the natural taper of the frond, so it looks tidy while new fronds come in.
What fixes it
- A small room humidifier — A small humidifier near the plant keeps the frond tips from crisping, especially in dry winter air.
If that doesn't fix it
This is general guidance based on common symptoms; individual plants vary.
Read the full Kentia Palm care guide →
Reviewed June 2026 · how we check this