Like all plants, the hemp palm needs sufficient nutrients to thrive and develop its characteristic fronds. However, be careful when fertilizing, because with too much fertilizer you can often achieve the opposite. Tips for fertilizing a hemp palm.
How should you fertilize a hemp palm?
Hemp palms should only be fertilized every two to three weeks during the growth phase (March-September). Use a normal green plant fertilizer as granules, sticks or liquid fertilizer. Be careful not to over-fertilize to avoid over-fertilization.
How much fertilizer does the hemp palm need?
Very few palm trees die because they didn't receive enough fertilizer. The opposite is more likely to be the case: palm trees die due to excess nutrients. This also applies to the hemp palm.
So be economical with the fertilizer.
Fertilize hemp palm only during the growing season
A hemp palm, like all palm trees, is only fertilized during the growth phase. It usually lasts from the end of March to September.
During the winter months, the hemp palm takes a break. It is not fertilized during this time. Even in very dark locations or low temperatures, you should avoid fertilizing altogether.
This fertilizer recommendation applies not only to hemp palms in pots, but also to palms grown outdoors.
Give fertilizer every two to three weeks
You only need to give long-term fertilizer at the beginning of the growth phase. For hemp palms that have been growing in the same substrate for a long time, you can apply a second fertilization in July at the latest.
When using fertilizer sticks, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Monthly fertilization is usually sufficient here.
Liquid fertilizer is added to the irrigation water every two to three weeks.
Fertilize with liquid fertilizer or sticks?
Special fertilizers are often available in stores for the hemp palm. These are quite expensive. They are not necessary. To fertilize hemp palms, a normal fertilizer for green plants is sufficient.
Whether you use granules, sticks or liquid fertilizer is not so important. Long-term fertilizer is only preferable when keeping hemp palms in the garden.
Never give more fertilizer than stated on the package. It is even better to reduce the recommended information to avoid over-fertilization.
Do not fertilize after repotting
If you have repotted a hemp palm, you must not give any fertilizer for several months. Fresh substrate contains so many nutrients that there is a risk of over-fertilization if additional fertilizer is added.
The right substrate for hemp palms
Hemp palms are not very demanding when it comes to the planting substrate. It is not necessary to buy special palm soil for potted plants. For older specimens, normal garden soil is sufficient to support the plants.
For younger hemp palms you can put together the soil yourself:
- Garden soil or compost
- some gravel
- Sand
- lava granules
The substrate must be well permeable to water, as hemp palms cannot tolerate waterlogging.
Tip
A common care mistake is fertilizing the hemp palm too heavily or frequently. There are usually enough nutrients already present in the planting substrate, so you can use fertilizer sparingly.