Natural frond aging
An occasional yellow lower frond on a healthy parlor palm is completely normal.
Diagnosis
Natural frond aging
What's happening
Parlor palm slowly retires its oldest fronds to put energy into new growth from the center of each cane. If only one or two of the lowest, oldest fronds are yellowing and the rest of the plant looks full and green, nothing is wrong.
How to fix it
Snip the spent frond off at the base of its stalk with clean scissors if you prefer a tidier look, and carry on with your normal care. Just keep an eye out that the yellowing stays limited to the oldest fronds and doesn't start climbing up the newer growth.
If that doesn't fix it
This is general guidance based on common symptoms; individual plants vary.
Read the full Parlor Palm care guide →
Reviewed June 2026 · how we check this