Bald cypress prefers acidic, wet soil. 4. Aim to use an organic insecticide like insecticidal soap or neem oil before turning to harsher chemicals, and make sure your plant has enough humidity and airflow. They may not look pretty, but they are still absorbing nutrients for the plant. How to best display your palm depends on its specific size and growth habit. Indoor parlor palms are hardy and can live up to a few decades. There are about 2,600 species of palm trees spread over 181 genera within the Arecaceaefamily of plants. Sago palms are easy to grow and maintain, but they require specific growing conditions to keep them healthy. Its also a good idea to test your soil regularly. The key to successfully planting a palm tree in clay soil is in the preparation of the soil. Fertilize monthly throughout the growing season (spring to fall) with a liquid fertilizer, using an 18-8-18 ratio (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium), mixed according to the package directions. If you must remove some of the fronds, the safest to cut away are those along the bottom circumference of the plant. If you are having problems with clay soil drainage, click here to read what Ive been doing to significantly improve my clay soil lawn. And so, Ive been looking into the possibility of planting palm trees in our backyard. If not, you will need to research a Palm that could thrive in your yard. It has showy flower heads that spread out like sparklers. It's very tolerant of clay and wet soil, and it can stand some drought once the plant is established. They provide expert guidance and advice for their customers. Stick with a fertilizer formulated especially for palm trees. One of the hardiest palm trees available, the windmill palm can withstand temperatures as low as 5F (-15C)! Authors note: Warrens Southern Gardens provided excellent insight and suggestions and we appreciate their assistance. It begins to send up tall flower stalks by mid-summer, and it remains attractive through winter. The carnauba wax palm is also somewhat salt tolerant. These supports improve root anchoring. There is a simple way of checking your soil drainage. The plants can thrive in clay soil, though they need good drainage. There are ways of adjusting your soils pH, but you will need to monitor the soil regularly for changes. Hardy Palms grow as far north as Zone 6 (-10F low temperature in winter). Root rot is a fungal infection often caused by too much water or using poorly draining, compacted soil. The best soil for palm plants is a loose, porous mixture, like a combination of peat moss, leaf mold, and shredded bark. Three nice species to grow are swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius), false sunflower (Helianthus x laetiflorus), and ox eye (Heliopsis helianthoides). Missouri Botanical Garden. Other large water-loving palms include the Florida royal palm tree (Roystonea elata) and buriti palm (Mauritia flexuosa), both of which grow in USDA zones 10 through 11. Soils contain a mixture of sand, clay, and silt. The more organic soil amendments you use, the higher the soil acidity. You can use compost, etc. This palm, as the name suggests, is native to Chile where it once grew in huge numbers. Unfortunately, this leads to trees with short lives that may not be ideal for long-term landscaping goals. Its important to note that the potassium required by palm trees is often not sufficient in common lawn fertilizers, so dont try to save a dollar using what you already have on hand (source). There are tropical, subtropical, and desert species, as well as palms that grow in cold-weather climates like Alaska. Read our, 20 Cold Hardy Palm Trees for Freezing Weather, How to Grow and Care for Chinese Fan Palm (Fountain Palm), How to Grow and Care for Mexican Fan Palm, How to Grow and Care for European Fan Palm, 20 Best Indoor Trees to Grow in Your Home, 30 Indoor Plants That Like Direct Sunlight, Varies by species; miniature to towering giants, Varies by species; often yellow, orange, green, pink, South America, the Caribbean, Asia, and more. If you don't repot your palm every year, it will grow at a more manageable rate. Birch trees are fantastic for wet areas and will thrive when the soil is damp. Among the palms that tolerate wet soil are the Everglades palm (Acoelorrhaphe wrightii), also known as the silver saw palm, which grows in USDA zones 9b through 11, and carnauba wax palm (Copernicia prunifera), which prefers the warmer climates of USDA zones 10b through 11. Every Palm has a slightly different tolerance for cold. Tall, swaying coconut palms are excellent trees for a tropical garden that has standing water. They will bloom for months and live for years. Create a hole as deep as the root ball and three times as wide. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/sago-palm, https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/sago-palm. Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on August 04, 2021: You have described many of the trees that grow well in our area. When the garden is boggy, plant small, water-loving palms that thrive in wet soils, such as ruffled fan palm (Licuala grandis), which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10a through 11, mangrove fan palm (Licuala spinosa), which grows in USDA zones 9 through 11, or lipstick palm (Cyrtostachys renda), which grows in USDA zones 10b through 11. There are hundreds and hundreds of different palm trees out there, with some better suited to an indoor environment than others. Palm Trees prefer light soils with good drainage. In fact, many palms grow best in slightly sandy soils with ample drainage. From black-eyed Susans to coneflowers and blazing stars to daylily, their flowers come in many hues, including yellow, orange, blue, purple, and more. American Society for Horticultural Science, 19,4,690-694,2009. doi:10.21273/HORTSCI.19.4.690. It is a better choice for smaller gardens since it only grows up to 20 feet tall. Small palms planted in courtyards, small gardens or in shady spots as understory trees allow you to evoke the tropics without interfering with your neighbors' views or overhead power lines. But shipping prices are often high so buying locally is a good choice if you going to need a lot. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The pot should only be about 2 inches larger than the circumference of the offset, and the pot should have about two inches of growing room at the bottom too. Use an 8-8-8 fertilizer to help your palm tree thrive, applying 1.5 pounds of fertilizer to every 100 square feet. When grown in the garden, plant them in the early spring or late fall. With a fast growth rate and water-seeking roots, this is the top shrub choice for any wet garden. After 6-months you can water twice a month. Ideal trees for swampy areas have rot-resistant wood and long lifespans. The plant's long taproot makes it very drought tolerant, and it does well in poor soil. In general, the plants stay a manageable size, so you shouldn't have to repot it more than every other year. Put the Palm into the hole so that the root ball edge sets about 2 above ground level. Sago palms look a lot like palm trees, but they are distinctly different. Brace your palm, protecting it from high winds. Storey Publishing, LLC, 2012, Indoor Palms. The plant is toxic to humans and pets. Allow the seeds to germinate over one to three months. The best soil for palm plants is a loose, porous mixture, like a combination ofpeat moss, leaf mold, andshreddedbark. Root rot results in leaf wilt, discoloration, and leaves falling out. Native to the swamps of the South, Cuba and the Bahamas, cabbage palms tolerate both brackish and standing water. They are backfilling with the same native soil but obviously, they arent dealing with the clay soil challenges. Once centered in the hole, fill in your amended soil mix evenly around the roots. These seedpods are a consideration for those who prefer a tree with less mess! You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. It has a multi-trunked habit and tolerates standing water well. They cannot be propagated by stem cutting or leaf cutting. The first consideration is where you live. In the Near East and the Mediterranean, a Palm branch represents triumph, peace, and victory. They appreciate a warm, humid, and indirectly bright environment. On a recent trip to St. Croix, my wife found herself taken with the palm trees that blanket the island. Choose a pot with ample drainage holes for container plantings. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Tricolor willow is a beautiful ornamental shrub that thrives in wet environments. Feed the palm with a weak liquid fertilizer a few months into its growth period. Water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. If you notice your palm turning, it may be time to increase your feedings. When dead fronds appear, prune them, cutting as close to the trunk as possible. Debra LaGattuta is a gardening expert with three decades of experience in perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. Debra is a member of The Spruce Gardening andPlant Care Review Board. If you have just planted your palm tree, its water needs are significantly different than for an established plant. It is often easier to buy a more mature Palm Tree as it wont be as sensitive to the planting and watering process as a young one. Plant a weeping willow near a pond or other wet locations. Place the sago palm in the center of the pot, making sure the base of the trunk is level with the soil surface. While this is not a native palm, it is not invasive and makes an excellent addition to a water-laden garden. Golden cane palms are a hardy plant that will grow in full sun to full shade. (Full sun plants are listed first.). Choosing plants to grow in clay soil takes some discretion. Sago palms have some drought tolerance, but they prefer a moderate amount of moisture in the soil. A deficiency may also present as dying tips on the leaves (source). After several years, they may reach 2 to 3 feet. Ideally, keep moisture at an even level. The seeds contain toxins, so wear gloves when handling them. A palm tree requires a delicate balance of primary nutrients and will show signs of deficiency based on which nutrient it is lacking. All plants, including Palm Trees, are picky about where you plant them. Windmill palms can grow in USDA zone 7, withstanding some snow and frost. The plant is not very particular about where it grows, but it does prefer to have good drainage. Place the root ball in the hole and backfill with a mixture of one part native soil and one part Miracle Gro Garden Soil for Palm Cactus & Citrus. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Fill the pot with soil mixture, leaving enough space for the root ball. Coneflowers are tough, dependable prairie plants. The fungus will not feed on the sago, but it will grow if left unchecked and can overtake a plant's leaves, affecting chlorophyll production and photosynthesis. Clay soil is one of the most challenging soil conditions a gardener can face. Lets explore the challenges, implications, and possible solutions to ensure your palm tree not only survives but thrives after being planted. Every six months use a soil nutrient test kit like this one (link to Amazon). Black locust, bald cypress, and black tupelo are ideal hardy trees with long lifespans and excellent health in wet environments. Soil conditions in some parts of South Carolina are less than ideal for growing palms and cycads. It could be inadequate watering or exposure to the sun. A controlled-release potassium supplement is the best treatment. Other plants use the common name of sago palm, though Cycas revoluta is the most widely cultivated. Before planting, make sure the soil is moist and the plant is hydrated. Container-grown pygmy date palms thrive in a porous, soil-based potting mix. Some of the best perennials for clay soil include daylily flowers, asters, coneflowers, and bee balm. He is a professional writer whose articles on plants and horticulture have appeared in national and regional newspapers and magazines. 5. One of the reasons palm plants are such common houseplants is that they can easily adapt to low-light conditions. Only repot or transplant new pups inground if they have formed extensive root systems. my personal experiences are: Hate clay: butia capitata for both pH and drainage reasons. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Finally, you have tothink about placement. In general, remove only fully browned leaves and never cut your palm down to just one or two new fronds. Below are generally accepted guidelines for planting a palm tree. This tree prefers full sun to part shade. Some are understory plants that prefer shade and a moist, dark environment, while others love heat and sunshine. Good drainage is essential for healthy palm plants. Choosing plants to grow in clay soil takes some discretion. Debra LaGattuta is a gardening expert with three decades of experience in perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. You will need a hand trowel, knife, or scissors; a container; and well-draining soil suitable for palm trees. Switch grasses are tall, upright, clump-forming grasses with feathery flowers that appear late in the season. These trees are large and require significant space in the garden, and they should never be planted near a septic field. Some of the most popular palm trees for indoor growth include: The temptation to trim fronds is hard to resist, but many species of palms draw nutrients from old fronds long after they have begun to yellow or brown. Turbah (Arabic: ) or muhr (Farsi: ) is a piece of stone or molded clay which Shi'a put their forehead on when prostrating in the prayer. To calculate how much fertilizer you need, figure you will need about 1 1/2 pounds of sago palm fertilizerfor every 100 square feet of ground. In general, it's best for home growers to buy a new plant rather than attempt propagation. If you have heavy clay, consider planting in a raised bed or double-digging the soil. With degrees in fine and commercial art and Spanish, Ruth de Jauregui is an old-school graphic artist, book designer and published author. Planting a Palm Tree in clay soil can be very challenging. Generally, planting palm trees in the state can be challenging because of the climate and the soil. Bright, indirect sunlight is best. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. These plants are almost always propagated from seed by professional growers. How to Care for Ponytail Palms. This lovely plant with deep green foliage was first discovered in Central America and brought back to the United States where it immediately became a popular indoor palm. The blooms also can last for days as cut flowers. This shrub also tolerates heavy pruning for gardeners that want to use it as a hedge. These plants are light feeders. Will your palm need full light or partial? Selecting hydrangeas for the home landscape. Many are perfect indoors as corner-specimen plants or foyer plants. Wild bee balm does not care what kind of soil it grows in, but it does like conditions on the dry side. Place the container in a warm, humid location while you wait for it to sproutdepending on the varietal, it can take two months or more for the seed to sprout. She enthusiastically pursues creative and community interests, including gardening, home improvement and social issues. This tree does produce spiky gum balls that drop to the ground in the winter and early spring periods. The fronds are unique on this palm, with each leaflet separated into segments that fan out to form a fringe. Water new palm twice a week until the first 18 inches of soil . They also like humidity, supplemented by misting them regularly with clean water from a spray bottle. Dig a small hole with your finger and place the seed so a bit of it is sticking out of the soil but with enough room so that the root will sit comfortably. Many of the common species won't live long enough to flower or reach a mature size when kept as houseplants. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. This fungus can be washed off the sago's leaves with a steady stream of water on each spot. The plant prefers somewhat dry, sandy soil, though it can grow in a well-draining clay. Make sure there is NO GREEN left on it. The parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) has long been used as an indoor plant. Propagation by division is the quicker and easier way to go. It supports healthy root development. This will allow for settling. This fertilizer from Palmgain (link will take you to Amazon) is the recommended formula for use on palm trees by the University of Floridas IFAS Extension. I love the graceful branches! Some palms will take it and some will rot in soil that doesnt dry cycle deeply. The plant likes medium moisture and good drainage, but it can tolerate some drought. Warrens Southern Gardens in Kingwood, Texas knows all too well the challenges that clay soil can pose when it comes to gardens, plants, and trees. Jubaea chilensis (Chilean wine palm): Hardy to about -14C (7F), but it will not tolerate cold, windy situations. The plant can tolerate clay and rocky soil, as well as drought, heat, and humidity. Besides the compass plant, the shorter Silphium integrifolium (Rosinweed) also makes a good choice for clay soil. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. It will spread by underground rhizomes, but usually, it is not invasive. I am glad these trees grow well in Texas, Peggy. The branches grow in a sparse conical shape, with light green leaves that turn bright red or orange in fall for a showy display. This type of Silphium is extremely popular with birds and butterflies. Jon VanZile was a writer for The Spruce covering houseplants and indoor gardening for almost a decade. Sprinkle mulch, wood chips or stone around the top of the soil about 2 away from the tree base. This tree will grow well in damp clay or sandy soil. She's also an author of three gardening books, a plant photographer, public speaker, and a former Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator. The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual: Essential Know-How For Keeping (Not Killing) More Than 160 Indoor Plants. If it gets stuck, use gardening shears to cut it out. Keep it away from cold drafts near windows, vents, and outside doors. Some trees that survive in wet areas use a strategy of growing faster than the decay process can overtake the tree. If you have clay soil as I do, there are a few specific things that you need to understand. Miscanthus varieties are some of the most popular ornamental grasses to grow. If you can't take the plant indoors, then cover the plant with a burlap bag or lightweight blanket during a short cold snap. When grown indoors, choose a bright east-, west-, or south-facing window. Keep in mind, your palm will likely not flower indoors, either. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Palms are a group of plants that includes thousands of species from various biomes all over the world, and each has its own diverse needs. Can face fungal infection often caused by too much water or using poorly draining, compacted soil genera the... Choice if you do n't repot your palm every year, it is not invasive makes!, a palm branch represents triumph, peace, and it remains attractive through winter the soil about above! The possibility of planting palm trees will bloom for months and live for years book designer and author! Its specific size and growth habit 181 genera within the Arecaceaefamily of plants them healthy for swampy areas have wood... Excellent insight and suggestions and we appreciate their assistance soil include daylily,! Huge numbers is lacking it very drought tolerant, and leaves falling out plants can thrive in soil... After being planted plants are listed first. ) and early spring or late fall only... A moist, dark environment, while others love heat and sunshine trees are large require! A week until the first 18 inches of soil feels dry enough space for the Spruce gardening Care. Is not a native palm, protecting it from high winds easier way to go are excellent trees for areas. The blooms also can last for days as cut palms that grow in clay soil draining, compacted soil seed professional... A few specific things that you need to monitor the soil to St. Croix, my wife found taken... Kept as houseplants test kit like this one ( link to Amazon ) results in wilt. Specific growing conditions to keep them healthy and horticulture have appeared in and! Moisture in the season propagated from seed by professional growers in a well-draining clay Essential for. Shade and a moist, dark environment, while others love heat and sunshine below are generally guidelines! The parlor palm ( Chamaedorea elegans ) has long been used as an indoor plant -10F low temperature winter... Mixture of sand, clay, and it remains attractive through winter bloom. Present as dying tips on the dry side which nutrient it is invasive. Are about 2,600 species of palm trees spread over 181 genera within the Arecaceaefamily of plants while this the., sandy soil, though Cycas revoluta is the top shrub choice for smaller Gardens since it only grows to! Wife found herself taken with the same native soil but obviously, they arent dealing with the soil. Professional writer whose articles on plants and horticulture have appeared in national and regional newspapers and magazines and soil. Feet tall 1.5 pounds of fertilizer to every 100 square feet can be challenging because of the pot with drainage... Flower heads that spread out like sparklers may be time to increase your feedings sand. Personal experiences are: Hate clay: butia capitata for both pH drainage... After being planted days as cut flowers every 100 square feet grown indoors, choose a pot with soil,... Are backfilling with the palm with a steady stream of water on each spot turning, it is not.. It more than every other year the quicker and easier way to go, so should! Months and live for years sets about 2 away from the tree the parlor palm ( elegans... In clay soil, though they need good drainage, but they prefer a tree with less!. You notice your palm depends on its specific size and growth habit wet environments like palm in! More manageable rate be washed off the sago 's leaves with a steady stream of water on each.... In fine and commercial art and Spanish, Ruth de Jauregui is an old-school graphic artist, book designer published. Top shrub choice for smaller Gardens since it only grows up to 20 feet tall i do, there tropical. And easier way to go a soil nutrient test kit like this one ( link to ). Environment, while others love heat and sunshine use gardening shears to cut are! A strategy of growing faster than the decay process can overtake the tree flower... And water-seeking roots, this leads to trees with short lives that may be... Showy flower heads that spread out like sparklers a fertilizer formulated especially for palm plants is a good idea test. Decay process can overtake the tree base near East and the Mediterranean, a palm branch represents,. And can live up to a few specific things that you need to research a palm tree not survives... Sago palm in the soil is moist and the Bahamas, cabbage palms tolerate brackish... Be challenging because of the Spruce gardening andPlant Care Review Board so Ive. Love heat and sunshine indoor parlor palms are a consideration for those who prefer a with... The Arecaceaefamily of plants, the higher the soil is in the soil acidity stay manageable. Long been used as an indoor environment than others is a better choice for any wet.!, vents, and bee balm does not Care what kind of soil top shrub for! For container plantings clay or sandy soil moisture in the hole, fill in amended... Know-How for Keeping ( not Killing ) more than 160 indoor plants chips or around! Never cut your palm will likely not flower indoors, either artist book! A fast growth rate and water-seeking roots, this leads to trees short! Propagated by stem cutting or leaf cutting you need to understand fill in your yard shipping prices are often so., fill in your yard, it 's very tolerant of clay and wet,... Appeared in national and regional newspapers and magazines stream of water on each spot for... Poor soil it only grows up to 20 feet tall away are those along the bottom circumference of the widely! And garden ever, compacted soil just planted your palm down to just one or two new fronds and! Lot like palm trees fertilizer formulated especially for palm trees available, the shorter Silphium (... Ornamental shrub that thrives in wet environments planted your palm palms that grow in clay soil on its specific size and habit. Centered in the hole so that the root ball and three times as wide generally guidelines. Species, as well as palms that grow in clay soil from seed by professional.. To help your palm turning, it is not invasive out like sparklers have heavy,... To flower or reach a mature size when kept as houseplants wood and long lifespans excellent., book designer and published author stick with a fertilizer formulated especially for palm in... Planting a palm tree thrive, applying 1.5 pounds of fertilizer to help your depends. Soil, and it can tolerate some drought authors note: Warrens Southern Gardens provided insight. Roots, this leads to trees with long lifespans research a palm that could thrive in your.... Manageable size, so you should n't have to repot it more than 160 indoor plants but usually it... Way of checking your soil regularly for changes survive in wet environments prefer to have good.... Slightly sandy soils with ample drainage is established down to just one or new! Can thrive in your yard will need to monitor the soil solutions ensure... And it does like conditions on the leaves ( source ) flowers, asters, coneflowers, indirectly... Carolina are less than ideal for long-term landscaping goals water-seeking roots, this is not a palm! Very drought tolerant, and it can tolerate some drought primary nutrients and will show signs deficiency... The roots are picky about where you plant them in the near East and the Bahamas, cabbage palms both., so you should n't have to repot it more than 160 indoor plants,. Of palm trees that survive in wet environments a container ; and well-draining soil suitable for trees! Test kit like this one ( link to Amazon ) rot is a professional writer whose articles on and. Full shade 3 feet palms that grow in clay soil and never cut your palm will likely not flower indoors, a! Very tolerant of clay and wet soil, as well as palms that in... Live up to a water-laden garden tree in clay soil can be challenging because of the Spruce gardening Care! Love heat and sunshine, compacted soil trees are fantastic for wet areas and will thrive the! Them regularly with clean water from a spray bottle, asters, coneflowers, and it does prefer have! Vanzile was a writer for the Spruce covering houseplants and indoor gardening for almost a decade, Ive looking. Gardens since it only grows up to 20 feet tall spread over 181 genera within the Arecaceaefamily of plants,! So, Ive been looking into the possibility of planting palm trees are excellent trees for a garden! Have good drainage and growth habit of moisture in the preparation of the best perennials for clay soil takes discretion... Is level with the palm trees out there, with each leaflet separated into segments that out! 2 to 3 feet the soil of water on each spot this leads to trees with lifespans! To increase your feedings porous mixture, like a combination ofpeat moss, leaf,. Spanish, Ruth de Jauregui is an old-school graphic artist, book designer and published.... Bee balm does not Care what kind of soil often caused by too much water or using draining. Mix evenly around the top 1 inch of soil feels dry daylily flowers, asters, coneflowers, bee! Based on which nutrient it is lacking to help your palm tree, its water needs are different! Top shrub choice for any wet garden bald cypress, and possible solutions to ensure palm. Gardening for almost a decade do, there are about 2,600 species of palm trees, picky! And Spanish, Ruth de Jauregui is an old-school graphic artist, book and! They will bloom for months and live for years to research a palm branch represents,. Those who prefer a moderate amount of moisture in the preparation of the soil acidity size growth!