There is no standardized care that is right for all indoor palms; there are simply too many different types. Determining this is not always easy, because some “room palms” are not, botanically speaking, palm trees at all.
How often and how should I fertilize my indoor palm?
Indoor palms should be fertilized every two to four weeks during the growth phase. Use commercially available liquid fertilizer in the irrigation water and ensure sufficient moisture without waterlogging. Take waterlogging, humidity and plant type into account.
For example, the yucca is a palm lily and belongs to the asparagus family. The dragon tree is not just a single plant, it even forms its own genus with around 50 different species. The best known is probably the Canary Islands dragon tree. The different genera, some of which have very different countries of origin and climate preferences, also explain the often very different nutrient requirements.
How much fertilizer does my indoor palm need?
Many indoor palms are quite easy to care for and frugal. You only need fertilizer during the growth phase. Fertilization every two to four weeks is usually sufficient. If you have recently repotted your palm tree, you should not give it any fertilizer for a few weeks; the fresh potting soil contains enough nutrients.
Too much fertilizer is often more harmful to palm trees than fertilizing too little. The slower your palm grows, the less fertilizer it will need. If you fertilize too much, your palm tree may have yellow leaves.
Watering correctly is also important
You should always water a yucca palm when the top layer of soil is slightly dry. The situation is similar with the hemp palm, here too the soil is allowed to dry out slightly. The coconut palm needs plenty of water, at least in spring and autumn, as does the mountain palm. Be sure to avoid waterlogging of any palm tree.
The required air humidity is at least as important as the correct water supply and fertilization. For the coconut palm, this should be between 70 and 80 percent. Spray your palm tree with lime-free water every now and then or place a humidifier near your palm tree.
The most important things in brief:
- fertilize once or twice a month during the growth phase
- Add commercially available liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water
- water sufficiently, at the latest when the soil dries
- Avoid waterlogging
Tip
It's better to fertilize carefully and in small amounts than too much.
