Without vibrant greenery, rooms often appear bare and not very comfortable. Unlike a few years ago, when plants only adorned window sills, today plants are also used to decorate rooms. Palm trees in particular are extremely popular because of their beautiful fronds. In order for the Mediterranean ambassadors to thrive in the pot as well as desired, their special requirements must be met.
How do you properly care for a palm tree in a pot?
A palm tree in a pot needs sufficient light, adjusted temperature, increased humidity, correct watering, sensitive fertilization and appropriate repotting. Also choose a stable pot and suitable substrate to ensure optimal conditions for growth.
Light and temperature requirements
In the wild, palm trees usually grow in very sunny areas. Therefore, place the pot close to the window. Here, too, there is not always enough light in the dark season. A plant lamp that is switched on hourly (€89.00 on Amazon) can help.
The temperature requirements of the plants vary depending on the variety. Mountain palms, for example, can be kept cool, while other species such as the coconut palm require a lot of warmth.
Humidity
The air in heated rooms is often very dry. Even for palm trees from dry areas, the humidity here can be too low, the leaves develop brown tips and then die. There are various ways to effectively improve the indoor climate:
- Spray the plant daily with lime-free water.
- Choose a very large pot. Place a brick in this on which the palm tree will be placed. Fill in liquid but only enough so that the planter is not damp.
- Install an indoor fountain or humidifier.
Pouring
How much water the pot palm needs depends on the species and on how much remaining substrate is still in the pot. A good tip is to stick to the old plant care rule: first do the thumb test and water whenever the top centimeters feel dry.
Fertilize
Palm trees are quite sensitive to over-fertilization. Fertilization is only carried out during the growth phase in the summer months:
- Slow growing varieties receive half the dosage stated on the packaging.
- For fast-growing species, add the full concentration to the irrigation water.
It is sufficient to fertilize every 14 days.
Repotting
Palm trees don't need to be repotted too often. You only need a new planter about every two to three years.
Which pots are suitable?
Since many types of palm trees have very long stems and large fronds, the pot must have sufficient stability and a high weight. Plastic containers usually do not meet these requirements; containers made of terracotta or clay are better. Also make sure you have a large footprint. Cylindrical vessels, which are very pretty to look at, are often not strong enough.
The right substrate
Specialist retailers have ready-mixed soil that meets the needs of most palm species. Alternatively, you can make the substrate yourself from potting soil and waste materials.
Tip
Palm trees grow very slowly in pots, often producing no more than two to many fronds per year. For this reason, care errors can be fatal because they do not grow together for a long time. Therefore, check the plants at least weekly for pest infestation or diseases and combat them consistently.
