Although Madagascar palms are very fast-growing, they don't often need a larger pot. They tend to grow taller. When is it time to repot a Madagascar palm and what should you consider when repotting?
How and when do I repot a Madagascar palm?
A Madagascar palm should be repotted every two years in spring. Use a tall, sturdy pot with a drainage hole and cactus soil or a mixture of potting soil, gravel, sand and coconut fiber. To be on the safe side, wrap foil around the trunk and water the substrate well before inserting the plant.
When does a Madagascar palm need to be repotted?
It is usually sufficient if you repot the succulents every two years in spring. The size of the pot is less important than the quality of the planting substrate. After this time it is exhausted and contains hardly any nutrients.
The right pot for Madagascar palms
The pot should be tall rather than wide. Pay attention to stability, as tall plants can quickly tip over.
There must be a sufficiently large drainage hole in the ground so that water cannot accumulate in the root area.
You can use cactus soil (€12.00 on Amazon) as a substrate. Mixtures of normal potting soil, gravel, sand and coconut fiber are also well suited. Place drainage made of gravel or sand at the bottom of the pot to prevent waterlogging and the resulting diseases.
How to repot correctly
- Wrap the trunk of the plant with foil
- carefully take it out of the old pot
- carefully rinse off old soil
- Fill the pot with fresh substrate
- Repotting Madagascar palm
- Wet the substrate well once
- Place the pot in a light place but not in direct sunlight
Check the roots before potting. Cut off soft, rotten-looking roots.
Water the substrate once continuously. Immediately pour off any water that has collected in the saucer. After repotting, only water the Madagascar palm again when the pot ball is almost dry.
Wrap trunk with foil
Anyone who has ever touched the trunk of a Madagascar palm with their bare hands knows how unpleasant the spines can be. Therefore, never touch the trunk unprotected, especially since the plant is poisonous.
So that you can unpot the Madagascar palm and replant it, wrap foil around the trunk. This will cover the spines. Gloves alone are not enough!
Tip
You should always fertilize Madagascar palms carefully. Otherwise, the succulents will shoot up very quickly. After repotting, do not fertilize the Madagascar palm at all for the first few months.
