---
title: "Please help this newbie save this poor salvaged palm!… & why does it…"
description: "Please help this newbie save this poor salvaged palm!… & why does it smell like death when I misted it in the shower? It was abandoned near the dumpster, and…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/655c0c169a962c3882a53367?language=nb"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Denise"
published: "2023-11-21T01:47:02.583Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/VWViyYQLFZ_uyWPTy26e2aEVyp8D3tILr-_KotsDnes/c786e14c8ac14c208157c864fe0d49fc.webp?size=large"
---

[Fellesskap](https://getplanta.com/community.md?language=nb) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md?language=nb)

# Please help this newbie save this poor salvaged palm!… \& why does it…

_Lagt ut av Denise den 2023-11-21_

Please help this newbie save this poor salvaged palm!… \& why does it smell like death when I misted it in the shower?  
It was abandoned near the dumpster, and after a few cold New England nights I was finally able to clear a cat-free place to bring it inside. I did a little research, then repotted \& trimmed off the dead leaves.. but now so much of it is turning brown I feel terrible! I brought it to the tub to mist it - but then it gave off the worst scent I’ve ever smelled from a plant.  
I vented the bathroom overnight .. \& doesn’t smell that terrible since it’s dried. I still have it in the tub to examine for root rot (possible cause of smell?) \& am trying to find good info on how to treat whatever is wrong.  
I didn’t think I had overwatered it at all, but am concerned it’s either that, or the saved potting soil or pot I used had been already contaminated? Here are pics of the (Kentia?…Areca?) Palm since rescue. Thanks for all your help!

![Vedlegg 1 av 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/VWViyYQLFZ_uyWPTy26e2aEVyp8D3tILr-_KotsDnes/c786e14c8ac14c208157c864fe0d49fc.webp?size=large)

## 2 kommentarer

### Amber Gray kommenterte den 2023-11-21

These are notorious for pests.. maybe an infestation?? I’ve always wanted one, but refuse to get one due to what I’ve heard about pest problems. It’s beautiful.. hope someone can help you figure it out.

### Tigerlilly kommenterte den 2023-11-21

The smell is very likely root rot. And if that’s the case, it might not be able to be saved. There is generally nothing coming back from that. Also, for any saved pots, I clean with soap and water and also spray some peroxide in the pot and let it air dry in the sun. That should kill anything that’s contaminated in there. I also wouldn’t reuse soil. That can definitely cross contaminate.

---

_Planta-fellesskapet (https://getplanta.com). Lesing er åpen for alle. For å poste, kommentere og like, skaff deg Planta-appen: https://getplanta.com/download_