You can live in any part of the world and still feel like you’re in California if you have one of these in your home or office.
Hey, did you know that palm trees aren’t really trees? They’re more like big grasses! That’s why, after they start growing, they’ll keep getting taller but not much wider. No matter what you think about plants, palms are great houseplants because most of them are easy to care for and give any room a tropical feel.
With their tropical look and resilient nature, palm trees make excellent container plants for indoor and outdoor settings. Growing palms in pots allows you to move them as needed to control sunlight exposure, provide winter protection, and showcase their beauty. Follow these tips for successfully growing healthy, thriving palms in pots.
Choosing Palm Varieties for Pots
Many palm species adapt well to container growing. Some top choices include:
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Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) – One of the most popular indoor palms with graceful, arching fronds. Slow growing to about 3-4 feet tall.
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Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) – Ideal for bright indoor spots. Reaches 6-8 feet high with glossy, fan-shaped leaves.
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Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana) – Adds tropical flair indoors or on patios Slowly grows to 8-10 feet tall and tolerates low light
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Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii) – A compact palm topping out around 6-10 feet. Graceful look with feathery leaves.
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Mediterranean Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis) – Hardy outdoor palm with beautiful divided leaves Grows slowly to 8-15 feet tall
Choose palm varieties known to thrive in your climate Miniature and dwarf palms are best for indoor growing in pots
Selecting the Right Pot
Use a potting container with drainage holes that is just slightly larger than the palm’s root ball. Choose plastic, ceramic, or decorative pots based on weight, durability, and look. Make sure the pot is deep enough for adequate soil to anchor the palm’s roots.
For very large palms, half wine barrels or wood boxes can be used. Place pots in a plant saucer to protect surfaces from moisture runoff.
Providing Proper Soil
Palms need well-draining soil that retains some moisture. A potting mix made for palms and citrus plants is ideal. It will contain sand or perlite to prevent dampness.
You can make your own mix by combining:
- 2 parts potting soil
- 1 part perlite or coarse sand
- 1 part peat moss or compost
This soil blend will have excellent drainage while still holding moisture. Only use soilless potting mix, never garden soil, for containers.
Watering Requirements
Palms require consistently moist but not soggy soil. Water whenever the top inch of soil becomes dry. Avoid letting pots fully dry out. How often you’ll need to water depends on factors like temperature, humidity, sun exposure, and airflow.
To prevent mineral buildup, use filtered or distilled water if possible. Let excess water drain fully from the pot’s bottom before placing back in the saucer. Don’t allow palms to sit in water.
The fronds turning brown at the tips indicates under-watering. Yellow lower fronds often mean over-watering. Adjust your watering frequency if you notice these signs.
Fertilizing Palms in Containers
During the growing season from spring through summer, feed container palms every 2-3 weeks using a balanced liquid fertilizer or palm-specific plant food. Slow release fertilizer spikes can be used for longer-lasting nutrition.
Stop fertilizing in fall to prep for winter dormancy. Never fertilize a stressed or struggling palm tree.
Sunlight Needs
Most palms thrive in bright, indirect or filtered sunlight. Outdoor palms can tolerate full sun in cooler climates but appreciate afternoon shade in hot regions.
Indoor palms favor bright rooms but should be protected from direct sun hitting their leaves, which can cause scorching damage. Rotate pots frequently to distribute light exposure.
Caring for Palms Through Winter
Cold tolerance varies among palm species. Protect outdoor potted palms from temperatures below 30°F by moving to an enclosed space like a greenhouse or unheated garage.
Prevent drafts indoors and avoid placing palms near heat sources that can dry the fronds out. Humidifiers add needed moisture during winter months.
Pruning Palm Trees in Pots
Remove spent palm fronds regularly to keep plants looking tidy. Sterilize pruning tools before use. Avoid cutting off healthy, green fronds which can stunt growth. Also trim off inflorescences after flowering to direct energy to leaf growth.
With proper care, palm trees grown in containers can thrive for many years, adding a lush, tropical feel wherever you place them. Pay attention to their needs and you’ll be rewarded with healthy, vibrant palms.
Which Palms to Grow Indoors
One of the best indoor palms is the parlor palm. Its pretty slow growing, but almost ridiculously easy to care for. There are other types that do better indoors, but this one needs less light, so you can put it almost anywhere in the house (except a closet, of course). Ponytail palms, lady palms, and Chinese fan palms are also good choices.
How to Plant Palms Indoors
- Pick a pot with holes in it for drainage that’s just ⅓ bigger than the plant’s root ball.
- Put Miracle-Gro® Cactus, Palm ⅓ of the way full into the pot.
- Move the palm from its old pot to the new one, making sure that the top of the root ball is about an inch below the top of the new pot.
- Fill in around the root ball, being careful not to bury too deeply the “root initiation zone.” This is where the roots start to grow out of the stem’s bottom.
- Put a saucer under the pot and put the plant where it will do well.
- Water well.
Potting Up Palms | Jack Shilley
FAQ
Do palm trees grow well in pots?
How do you take care of potted palms?
Do palms like full sun?
How often do you water palms in pots?
Can you grow a palm tree in a pot?
If you want a potted palm to create dappled shade for smaller plants, then the Areca Palm will work well since it grows to heights of up to 20 feet when grown in a pot and has large feathery fronds. Consider climate and care requirements.
How do I choose the right pot for my Palm Tree?
When it comes to choosing the right pot for your palm trees, size and depth play a crucial role. The size of the pot should be proportional to the size of the palm tree you intend to grow. A general rule of thumb is to select a pot that is at least 2-4 inches wider in diameter than the tree’s root ball.
Can palm trees grow in containers?
Palm trees growing in containers outdoors have many uses in a front or backyard. Some medium-growing, potted bushy palm trees are ideal for privacy. Palms with arching, feathery fronds look stunning in terracotta pots on a patio, beside an entranceway, beside a pool, or in a landscaped garden.
Why should you plant a palm tree in a pot?
The confined space of the pot also helps control the size of the tree, preventing it from growing too large and requiring constant attention. Additionally, potted palm trees are easier to move and rearrange compared to those planted in the ground.