Successfully Growing Palm Trees

Even if your palms are potted or indoors, you’ll need to know what conditions they need to stay happy and healthy.

Go to the page on starting a palm tree from seed requires for more specific info on soaking, pots, fertilizing, etc.

Note: If you need to diagnose a problem with your tree these articles (all with photos) may help.

Pests has the insects that may be infesting your tree and how to eliminate.

Palm tree fungal or bacterial diseases  need to be addressed in specific manners. Learn how to spot them.

Mineral deficiencies are common in many palms. Learn the signs and how to treat for each.

Growing Zones

Here are a couple of maps showing the various hardiness zones with keys to the temperatures.

The zone temps shown are the lowest for the zone.

An important part of growing palm trees or any plants is knowing your average low temperature.

This will help you figure out which zone you are in.

Look for the growing zone of the plants natural to your area. What are the tolerable minimum temps they can withstand.

If your temp is going to go lower you may need to provide a cover for your trees until the cold snap passes.

Keep in mind that some of the cold hardy varieties don’t do well in spots with higher night time temps.

They need it to cool off in the evenings.

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Soil Types for Growing Palm Trees

Acidic or alkaline soil types all have to do with the pH levels found in that soil. A balanced pH is 7. Used often in water testing. Soils are the same in that an alkaline soil has a higher pH level.

An example is limestone. If soil has this ingredient then it is alkaline. Southern Florida has this type.

Acidic soil is the lower than 7 pH levels. Volcanic type soils are acidic- like those found in Hawaii.

Sandy soil would be classed as any soil type with at least 30% sand or more. Think of the desert palms. These kinds will do better in almost any soil as long as there’s a mix of sand with it.

Of course the proper fertilizer will help them grow their very best. Depending on where you plant or what kind of climate some fertilizers have the extra ingredients right in them already.

Light and Sun

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Meeting the light requirements of some that are brought indoors can be a challenge. If you are going to be growing palm trees and don’t have a solarium type room, a bay window, a skylight or a green house, you could supplement the light it needs artificially.

Water and Moisture

Arid, desert palms will require less water to survive and generally won’t do well in high humidity conditions like those in Florida.

Knowing your tree's growing conditions then matching them the best you can, will produce a palm to be proud of.

More growing resources

• Palm Tree Care  I know the question you are asking "So what's involved in palm tree care?" I guess that really depends on where you live
• Pruning Palm Trees  There is a certain amount of skill involved in pruning palm trees, especially the large coconut palms.
• Bottle Palm Tree Care Instructions  I’ve had an inquiry about bottle palm tree care. Here’s what you have to do to successfully grow these delightful trees.

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