This guide, my friend, is your backstage pass to a world where the science of nurturing indoor palm plants is made simple. No more wilted yellow leaves and brown tips, now you’ll only see an indoor tropical paradise! In this article, we will explore the secrets to successfully caring for indoor palm plants, including specific care tips for the most common varieties, and first aid for when your plant gets sick. After reading this you’ll be the indoor-plant whisperer that you were born to be!
The secret to successfully growing any plant indoors is being able to replicate that plant’s natural environment. Palms come from a variety of regions and climates, and then to make it even more challenging some are canopy plants and some are understory plants. What does all that mean? Canopy plants act sort of like umbrellas to the plants underneath, so they get all the direct sunlight. Understory plants are in the nice cool shady spots under the canopy plants, so they don’t like to get as much direct light.
When it comes to growing palms indoors, it’s best to choose those that are understory plants. Not only because they cope with lower light, but also because they don’t grow as tall or as quickly as the canopy palms. If you have your heart set on one of the larger canopy palms, and have a nice big window that gets plenty of sunlight then give it a try.
General care for indoor palm plants
To ensure the health and vibrancy of your indoor palm plants, there are a few key factors to consider: light requirements, temperature and humidity, watering, soil and potting, and fertilizing. The single best thing that you can do to grow healthy indoor plants is to get a soil and light tester. For under $20 this handy little device can tell you if your plant is getting enough light, water, and nutrients and what the soil pH is.
Consider also getting a humidity and temperature sensor, especially one that can send alerts to your phone. With two simple devices you can take all the guesswork out of getting the environmental conditions right for all of your indoor plants.
Light requirements
Most indoor palm plants thrive in bright, indirect light (up to 1000 on your light tester, or higher for plants that can grow in direct sunlight outdoors). Place them near a window where they can receive ample natural light without being exposed to direct sunlight, or only get direct sunlight for a few hours in the morning. Rotate the plant every week so that it doesn’t grow towards the light and instead develops a nice balanced foliage. If your indoor space lacks sufficient natural light, you can supplement it with a grow light to meet the plant’s needs.
Temperature and humidity
Indoor palm plants prefer warm temperatures, ideally ranging between 60-85 °F (15-29 °C) during the day and no lower than 50 °F (10 °C) at night. Avoid exposing your palms to cold drafts or extreme temperature fluctuations.
Moreover, most palms thrive in high humidity levels. Aim for a minimum humidity of 50% but they are happy if it is much higher than that. High humidity in your home risks mold though, so you don’t want it to get too high. To increase humidity, you can cluster plants together, place a pebble tray with water under the plant pot, or use a humidifier. This article can help you with getting the humidity levels right in indoor spaces.
Soil and potting
Selecting the right soil mix and potting technique is vital. Palm plants thrive in well-draining soil that retains some moisture. A mix of peat moss, perlite, and sand can provide the ideal conditions. When repotting, choose a pot with good drainage, allowing room for the roots to grow. Repot every two to three years or when the roots become crowded. For the palms that don’t like to be too wet, succulent mix is free draining and allows palms to dry out a little between watering.
Fertilizing
Indoor palm plants benefit from regular fertilization during the growing season, typically from early spring to early fall. Use a slow-release fertilizer specifically formulated for palm plants or a balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can cause burns on the roots and tips of the leaves.
A plant health probe not only measures light and moisture like we mentioned earlier, it also has a nutrient indicator and will let you know if you need to add more fertilizer. Use a houseplant fertilizer as recommended. An easy option is to use Osmocote Smart Release Indoor & Outdoor fertilizer twice per year or Jobe’s Fertilizer Spikes for ferns and palms, which are perfect for indoor palm plants.
Watering
Proper watering is crucial for indoor palm plants. Water your palms when the top inch of the soil feels dry, ensuring that the water drains freely from the pot. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering can cause the leaves to turn brown and dry. Use distilled water or let tap water sit overnight to remove any chlorine. Many plant fungal diseases are spread by water droplets so don’t mist your plants and try to avoid water splashes when watering.
Pruning
Before pruning, ensure your pruning tools are clean and sterilized. This helps prevent the spread of diseases or infections between plants. Wipe the blades of your pruning shears or loppers with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol or a mixture of bleach and water. Rinse and dry the tools before use.
Only ever prune damaged or dead fronds from palm trees. Never cut the top of the tree or you will prevent it from growing. Use clean, sharp pruning shears or loppers to make clean cuts near the base of the frond stem, without damaging the trunk or surrounding healthy foliage.
It’s important not to remove healthy green fronds unless absolutely necessary. Green fronds are essential for the palm’s photosynthesis and overall health. Pruning live fronds can weaken the plant and inhibit its growth. Only trim green fronds that are diseased, causing a safety hazard or obstructing walkways or windows.
When pruning palm fronds, take care not to injure the trunk. Cutting too close to the trunk may lead to wounds that leave the plant vulnerable to pests, diseases, or decay.
Specific care for common indoor palm varieties
Now, let’s explore the care requirements for some of the most popular indoor palm varieties:
- Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens): Areca palm is prone to a few diseases. Leaf spot, blight, butt rot and bud rot are due to fungal infections. Leaf spot is unlikely to kill the plant, however blight and rot disease can be fatal. Fungal pathogens usually infect the root system of the plant and are difficult, if not impossible, to treat once established. Prevention with an antifungal root treatment and good plant hygiene are the best ways of combating fungal diseases in palms. Note that not all fungi are bad for your plants, and a lot are actually good for them. It’s just particular fungi that cause problems.
- Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa): Lady palms tolerate low-light conditions better than most palm species. They prefer average humidity levels and normal room temperatures. Water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry, and fertilize sparingly during the growing season.
- Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans): Parlor palms are excellent houseplants and can tolerate low-light conditions. They prefer average room temperatures and moderate humidity levels. Water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry.
- Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana): Kentia palms are slow-growing and adapt well to low-light conditions. They prefer average room temperatures and moderate humidity levels.
- Cat Palms (Chamaedorea cataractarum) grow up to 1m (3 ft) indoors but can grow up to 8m (25 ft) outdoors. Can handle direct or bright indirect light indoors. This one is non-toxic so a good pet-friendly choice. It likes humidity.
Caring for unwell palm plants
| Disease | Treatment |
|---|---|
| Yellow Leaf Spot – Small circular light to dark brown spots with a yellow halo. Spots enlarge and tissue dies, leaving a hole. | Spray with Dithane-based fungicide. Isolate the plant from other plants until healthy. Water by standing pot in a shallow tray of water for an hour, don’t water from above. Let soil dry between watering. Avoid heat and humidity. |
| Necrotic Ringspot Virus (Spot surrounded by ring on leaf) | Spread by mealybugs so treat/prevent mealybug infection. Remove damaged leaves. |
| Leaf Blight | Fertilize with nitrogen and potassium-based fertilizer and temporarily reduce sunlight. Apply same care as for Yellow Leaf Spot. |
| Root/Collar rot | Provide better soil drainage and treat with a systemic fungicide. Re-pot with fresh potting soil. Do not re-use old potting soil. |
| Insect infestation (aphid, mealybug, spider mite) | Treat with a microbial pesticide or insecticidal spray |
| Nutritional deficiency (yellowing leaves) | Test soil, supplement with fertilizer as needed. Repot with fresh potting soil every 2 years. |
Growing palm look-alikes indoors
- Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta): The Sago palm, although visually striking, is a very slow-growing palm species that requires direct sunlight and warm temperatures. It’s technically not a palm, but a cycad. If you can replicate those growing conditions indoors then go for it! It eventually grows to a large size so will need to move outdoors when it outgrows your space.
- Cardboard Palm (Zamia furfuracea): The Cardboard Palm is another cycad, so not really a true palm. It’s appearance is similar to the ZZ plant, but it grows larger and has a different leaf texture. The other major difference is that it needs a lot of light. It needs a few hours in front of a window with direct sunlight each day, or supplement for 10-12 hours with a grow light. Like the Sago palm, it is slow growing and eventually forms a clump about 1x1m (3x3ft)
- Ponytail palm (Beaucarnia recurvata): This one is a succulent that forms a swollen trunk and has cascading leaves that look like hair spilling out of a high ponytail. They can tolerate direct sunlight or will do fine in front of a brightly lit window with indirect light. Being a succulent the Ponytail palm doesn’t like wet feet. Let it dry out between waterings, and slow the watering right down over winter.
Palm varieties not suitable for indoor growing
While there are many palm varieties that thrive indoors, it’s essential to note that not all species of palm trees are suitable for indoor cultivation due to their specific requirements and growth habits. Here are some palm varieties that are not recommended for indoor growing and the reasons behind their unsuitability:
- Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera): Coconut palms are iconic symbols of tropical climates, but they are unsuitable for indoor growing due to their size and long-term care requirements. These palms can reach significant heights and require ample space for their extensive root systems. They also thrive in full sun and warm temperatures, which are difficult to provide indoors.
- European Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis): European Fan palms are native to Mediterranean regions and are better suited for outdoor cultivation. While they can tolerate cooler temperatures, they require bright sunlight and grow slowly. Indoor environments often lack the necessary direct sunlight and space for their growth.
- Chinese Fan Palm (Livistona chinensis): Chinese Fan palms are visually appealing with their large, fan-shaped leaves. However, they are not well-suited for indoor conditions due to their size and light requirements. These palms prefer bright sunlight and can grow to significant heights, making them challenging to accommodate indoors.
- Bismarck Palm (Bismarckia nobilis): The Bismarck palm is a majestic and visually striking palm tree native to Madagascar. Due to its large size and specific growth requirements, the Bismarck palm is generally not recommended for indoor cultivation and is best suited for outdoor growing.
It’s important to research and select palm varieties that are specifically suited for indoor growing to ensure successful cultivation and long-term health.
Wrapping up
Indoor palm plants bring a touch of natural elegance and a tropical vibe to your living spaces. By understanding their health needs and implementing the care outlined in this article, you can create a thriving oasis of lush indoor palm plants.
Embrace the beauty of indoor palm plants by providing them with the right balance of light, temperature, humidity, watering, soil, and fertilization. With just a little extra effort, your indoor palm plants will flourish, transforming your home into a vibrant oasis and capturing the essence of tropical beauty.
So, go tend to your palm plants, and enjoy the rewards of nurturing these magnificent botanical treasures in your indoor space!
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References
Irawan, M. D., Siregar, H. F., Simargolang, M. Y., & Liana, T. (2020). Expert System for Areca Plant Disease Detection Using Forward Chaining Method. PIKSEL: Penelitian Ilmu Komputer Sistem Embedded and Logic, 8(2), 115-122.
Sarwar, M. K., Naheed, R., Ijaz, S., & Ul Haq, I. (2020). Fungal diseases of Lady palm (Rhapis excelsa) and Fishtail palm (Caryota mitis). Etiology and Integrated Management of Economically Important Fungal Diseases of Ornamental Palms, 237-249.
Shakeel, M. T., Katis, N. I., Alam, M. M., Atiq, R., & Shakeel, Q. (2020). Fungal Diseases of Golden Palm (Dypsis lutescens). Etiology and Integrated Management of Economically Important Fungal Diseases of Ornamental Palms, 149-158.
Yang, K., Shen, W., Li, Y., Li, Z., Miao, W., Wang, A., & Cui, H. (2019). Areca palm necrotic ringspot virus, classified within a recently proposed genus Arepavirus of the family Potyviridae, is associated with necrotic ringspot disease in areca palm. Phytopathology, 109(5), 887-894.
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