Dreaming under palm trees, you don't have to travel to distant countries to do that. You can buy the beautiful Mediterranean ambassadors for little money at the florist around the corner. Unfortunately, palm trees are not entirely uncomplicated and sometimes the attractive plants take care of after just a few weeks. However, with a little sensitivity and good care, they can often still be saved.
What to do if the palm tree dies?
If a palm tree dies, possible causes include too little light, dry air, waterlogging, pests or underfloor heating. To save them, optimize the site conditions, ensure optimal humidity, prevent waterlogging and specifically treat pests or fungal infestation.
Palm trees like it warm
Palm trees are not ideal for a cool bedroom, as they require a constant temperature of 15 degrees and more. If it falls below this value during the night, the plants will grow poorly. It's better to place a palm tree that doesn't want to thrive in the warm living room.
Palm plants are sun-hungry
Palm trees love it when the sunlight plays around their fronds. There should be at least a few hours of direct sun every day. A location in front of a west, east or south window is ideal. If you cannot meet the plant's requirements, a plant lamp (€23.00 on Amazon) can compensate.
Dry air
Palm trees require a relatively high level of humidity. In heated rooms, however, this often drops below 40 percent, a value that even palm trees from dry areas can no longer tolerate. The tips of the fronds turn brown and the plant dies. Therefore, spray the leaves at least once a day. An indoor fountain or special humidifier can further improve the room values.
Underfloor heating means stress for plants
This heater is becoming increasingly popular because the warm floor creates an extremely comfortable indoor climate for us humans. For the palm tree, however, the warm ground is less pleasant. To prevent it from wasting away, do the following:
- Use a very large planter.
- Put one or more bricks in it.
- Place the flowerpot with the palm tree on it.
- Fill in enough water so that the stone lies in the liquid, but does not reach the planter.
The underfloor heating causes the moisture to evaporate and circulate around the foliage.
Waterlogging
Moisture that accumulates in the root ball is the palm tree's greatest enemy. Their roots begin to rot, water can no longer be transported and the plant dries up. This can be remedied by a drainage layer made of expanded clay a few centimeters thick and a sufficiently large water drain covered with a piece of clay.
Pests
If all the conditions are right and the palm tree still cares, sucking insects or fungal infestation are usually to blame for the misery. Examine the palm tree thoroughly and treat the plant with an appropriate chemical agent.
Tip
Individual fronds that initially brown and then dry up are normal. Please only cut them off when they are completely dry. They serve as nutrient storage for the plant.
