Palms are fantastic for planting in planters. Many areas in the perimeter of the house look great with potted palms: framing the front door, around the pool area, or even on a patio or porch. The slow rate of growth, the ease of maintenance, and the drought resistance of most cold-hardy palms make them excellent container palms.
Growing palm trees in pots is an excellent way to bring a tropical touch to your home’s interior or exterior. With the right care, many species can thrive indoors or on a patio, balcony, or deck. This comprehensive guide will teach you how to select the best palms for containers, provide them with proper soil, water, light, and nutrients, and troubleshoot any issues that arise.
Choosing the Right Palm Species
When selecting a palm to grow in a pot, opt for a slow-growing, compact variety that matures under 10 feet tall Consider the following popular container palms
-
Parlor Palm One of the most popular indoor palms with graceful arching fronds. Grows slowly to 6 feet.
-
Kentia Palm: Features elegant drooping fronds. Matures to 8 feet. Tolerates low light.
-
Lady Palm: Clumping variety with dense clusters of slender stems and fan-shaped leaves. Grows to 10 feet.
-
Pygmy Date Palm: Compact palm to 6 feet with graceful, feathery leaves. Cold hardy.
-
Dwarf Majesty Palm: Miniature version of the majesty palm, only reaching 4 to 6 feet. Lush, full look.
Avoid fast-growing giant palms like queen palms and Mexican fan palms, which quickly outgrow pots. Also, steer clear of cold-sensitive tropicals like coconut palms unless you live in a warm climate.
Selecting the Right Pot
Use a container that is 2 to 4 inches wider than the palm’s current nursery pot. Shallow pots work better than deep containers, which can hold too much moisture. Make sure the pot has drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.
Heavy pots provide stability for top-heavy palm trees. Materials like clay, concrete, wood, and resin are good choices. Avoid lightweight plastic pots prone to blowing over. Use pot feet or casters to prevent stained surfaces.
Plain terracotta pots let the palm’s natural beauty shine. For decorative planters, choose colors and styles that complement your interior design or outdoor space.
The Right Potting Mix
Palms require a loose, well-draining potting mix to prevent soggy roots. A general houseplant potting soil amended with perlite works well. Or create your own mix:
- 2 parts potting soil
- 1 part perlite or coarse sand
- 1 part peat moss or coco coir
Avoid regular garden soil, which compacts over time and holds too much water. Never use pure peat or bark mixes, which are too dense.
When repotting, cover the hole in the bottom of the pot with landscape fabric or a coffee filter to prevent soil from leaching out.
Watering and Fertilizing
Palms prefer consistently moist but not soggy soil. Water whenever the top 1-2 inches become dry, checking by touch or with a moisture probe. Pour water until it drains from the bottom, indicating the entire root zone is hydrated.
Let the potting mix partially dry out between waterings. Water less frequently in winter when growth slows. If fronds start to yellow or brown, increase watering frequency.
Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer like 20-20-20 monthly in spring and summer. Slow-release pellet fertilizers work well too. Stop fertilizing in fall and winter.
Proper Light
Most palms need bright, indirect light similar to a sunny window. Direct hot sun can scorch the leaves. Keep indoor palms within 5 feet of a south- or west-facing window. Filter intense midday sun with sheer curtains.
Rotate the plant periodically so all sides receive light. Palms with yellowing lower fronds likely need more sunlight. Those turning brown may be getting too much sun.
Outdoor palms tolerate more sun but benefit from afternoon shade in hot climates. North-facing patios and pools provide dappled light.
Temperature and Humidity
Indoor palms prefer normal household temperatures between 60-80°F. Avoid drafty areas. In winter, keep palms away from cold windows and heating vents. Raise humidity around the plant by misting the leaves daily or using a pebble tray.
Outdoor palms need warm daytime temperatures above 50°F and protection from winds. If temperatures drop below 40°, move potted palms inside a sunny room, conservatory, or greenhouse. Acclimate palms slowly when bringing them outdoors in spring.
Pruning and Troubleshooting
Remove dead or damaged fronds as needed by cutting at the base with sterilized pruners. Never remove green healthy fronds. Yellow lower fronds are natural as the palm matures.
If frond tips brown, increase humidity and watering frequency. Yellow lower leaves often indicate insufficient light. Wilting and drooping fronds can mean under or overwatering. Adjust frequency appropriately.
Repotting every 2-3 years in spring keeps the root zone fresh. Choose a container only slightly larger to avoid overpotting. Remove only a few inches of old soil to limit root disturbance.
Enjoy Your Gorgeous Container Palms
With the proper care, palm trees flourish in pots, adding a breezy, tropical feel wherever they’re placed. Pay special attention to providing the right amount of water, sunlight, warmth, and humidity. Avoid overpotting and use a quality potting mix. Gently prune away old fronds to keep your palm looking its best. With a little practice, you’ll be growing lush, healthy container palms in no time!
Login to my account
Enter your e-mail and password: Email Password
Lost password? Recover password
Enter your email: Email
Please fill in the information below: First name Last name Email Password
Already have an account?
Your cart is empty
Palms are fantastic for planting in planters. Many areas in the perimeter of the house look great with potted palms: framing the front door, around the pool area, or even on a patio or porch. The slow rate of growth, the ease of maintenance, and the drought resistance of most cold-hardy palms make them excellent container palms.
Where should I place them?
Front Door: Front doors and front porches are great places to plant palms to elegantly decorate and mark the entrance. The corner of a bigger front porch can be livened up with a potted palm.
Pools or Spas: Most pools or spas benefit from a palm or two in the vicinity, yet some hardscapes make it impossible to plant a palm in the exact place we want. In order to achieve the desired look without resorting to a bulldozer, container palms are a great option! Additionally, palms do not shed leaves like a tree or bush does, making them an easy maintenance option that will, without a doubt, make your pool or spa instantly tropical!
Porch or Pergola: When placing palms in containers for a porch (front or back) it is a good idea to use either one big palm or groups of 3 or 5 pots of staggering heights. When planting palms inside pergolas, it is important to keep in mind how tall and how quickly the palm grows.
How to Grow Trachycarpus Fortunei Palm Trees in Pots & Containers
FAQ
Do palm trees grow well in pots?
Palms are fantastic for planting in planters. Many areas in the perimeter of the house look great with potted palms: framing the front door, around the pool area, or even on a patio or porch.
Should I cut off brown palm leaves?
- Completely Brown or Dying Leaves: Remove leaves that are entirely brown, dead, or wilting.
- Brown Tips (if severe): If only the tips of the leaves are brown due to stress, address the underlying issues (like improper watering or nutrient deficiencies) first, but if the browning is severe, you can trim back the brown tips.
- To Improve Appearance: Cutting off brown leaves can improve the overall look of the palm tree.
Do palms like full sun?
- Full Sun Palms: Many palms, especially those native to warmer, drier climates, thrive in full sun (6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day).
- Partial Shade/Shade Palms: Some palms, particularly those that naturally grow in the understory of forests, prefer partial shade or even shade.
- Factors to Consider:
- Variety: Different palm species have different light requirements.
- Location: Consider the amount of sunlight your garden or patio receives.
- Climate: Some palms are more heat-tolerant than others.
- Indoor vs. Outdoor: Palms that are well-suited for indoor environments typically prefer lower light conditions than those grown outdoors.
- Variety: Different palm species have different light requirements.
- Examples of Full Sun Palms:
- Bangalow Palm
- Cabbage Palm
- Golden Cane Palm
- Bangalow Palm
- Examples of Shade Tolerant Palms:
- Parlor Palm
- Kentia Palm
- Parlor Palm
- Tips for Palm Care:
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry spells, and ensure good drainage.
- Soil: Choose well-draining soil.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize regularly, especially during the growing season.
- Pest and Disease Control: Monitor for pests and diseases and take appropriate action.
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry spells, and ensure good drainage.
How do you grow a palm tree in a pot?
The best palm trees for a container garden, patio, or entranceway should be drought-tolerant, low maintenance, and have relatively slow growth. All you need for the palm tree to grow well is a large pot and a well-drained, loamy potting mix. This article is a guide to growing a potted palm tree outdoors.
Can palm trees grow in pots?
Some palms are fast-growing and will quickly outgrow the container. Other tall varieties of palm trees can become unstable in storms and windy conditions Some of the best palms for growing outdoors in pots include the areca palm, European fan palm, pygmy date palm, and the lady palm. These palms grow just as well in pots as they do in the ground.
How do you choose a pot for a 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?
How to plant a palm tree?
Select a sturdy pot for your palm tree. It can be plastic, ceramic or terracotta. Consider the decor of the room where the plant will be for much of its time and choose a pot to match. The most important element of the pot is the drainage holes. You may need to make more, which is easier to do in a plastic or fibreglass pot.
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.
Can a parlor palm grow in a pot?
The parlor palm is one of the most popular palm plants to grow in a pot outdoors in warmer climates The parlor palm is a small, slow-growing palm tree with multiple slender green trunks, pinnate green leaves, and small yellow or orange-red flowers. Growing in pots outdoors, a parlor palm plant can reach 6.5 ft. (2 m) tall.