The coconut palm is a very decorative and popular houseplant that is often offered inexpensively. It is considered robust, but is quite demanding and needs a lot of sun, warmth and water to feel comfortable.
How to care for a coconut palm as a houseplant?
A coconut palm as a houseplant requires a sunny location, a room temperature of at least 20 °C (even at night), regular watering with lukewarm, low-lime water, high humidity and a larger plant pot with well-drained substrate every two years.
What you should pay attention to when buying
Coconut palms are often offered quite cheaply, but that shouldn't tempt you to make a hasty purchase. Because you can only enjoy a he althy plant for a long time, a sick or weakened plant is susceptible to pests and can therefore also pose a danger to other plants in its surroundings.
A he althy coconut palm has shiny green leaves. If the leaves are dull and silvery, then the palm tree could be suffering from spider mites. The cause of this is often too low humidity. If the palm has suffered from prolonged drought, it will show this with yellow leaf edges. You shouldn't buy this palm tree either.
The right location
Coconut palms love sun, warmth, lots of water and high humidity. These are not exactly ideal living conditions for people. Nevertheless, a coconut palm can also feel at home in your living room if you help it out a little.
Give your coconut palm a sunny location directly by the window and ensure an even temperature of at least 20 °C even at night. In summer, your coconut palm can be moved to the balcony or terrace. However, if the nights are cool, she should not spend the night outside.
The most important things in brief:
- at least 20 °C, even at night
- lots of lukewarm water
- no waterlogging
- high humidity
The optimal care
Water your coconut palm regularly. It is best to use lukewarm, low-lime water; rainwater is ideal. You can also spray your palm tree with lukewarm rainwater, which also ensures the necessary humidity in the plant's immediate surroundings.
Your coconut palm needs a new plant pot about every two years so that the roots have enough space. Use substrate or mix potting soil with sand. Make sure that half of the coconut is still sticking out of the ground.
Tips & Tricks
Buy only a he althy coconut palm, ensure the ideal location and water your coconut palm regularly, then you will enjoy it for a long time.
