How to Plant and Care for your Palm

Whether you are planting your palm directly on the ground or transplanting to a new container, follow our comprehensive guide for best results. Our step by step instructions on how to plant and care for your palm tree will help it to thrive in its new environment. 

How do I plant a palm?

1. Pick the perfect spot to plant   

    • Consider the plants estimated height and spread when mature.
    • Choose a location where it will receive the amount of sunlight it needs.

2. Dig a hole

    • Make the hole twice the width of the rootball and slightly deeper. 

3. Remove your palm from the container

    • Lay the palm on its side and step on the bottom of the container to loosen the plant. 
    • Gently slide it out of the container by grabbing it from its base, being careful not to harm the roots in the process. 

    4. Add coarse sand to the bottom of the hole

      • Add 3-4 inches of coarse sand to the bottom of the hole. This will help the water drain out quicker. 

    5. Place the rootball in the hole

      • Ensure the top of the rootball sits 1-2 inches above the ground to create a sloped drainage. 
      • Backfill around the rootball with a mixture of 70% soil and 30% coarse sand, covering any exposed roots with the soil mix. 
      • Firmly press the soil around the palm to eliminate air pockets, and add more soil mix as needed around the palm in order to even out the terrain. 

    5. Water thoroughly

      • Make sure the bottom roots receive ample water.
      • Follow the watering recommendations for your specific palm. 

    5. Add a layer of mulch or pine straw

      • Apply mulch or pine straw around the base of the plant to aid with water retention. 
      • Make sure the mulch does not touch the base of the palm, as this can cause rot.

    How do I transplant my Palm to a new container?

    1. Prepare your new planter

      • Select a pot that is larger than the old container or pot and make sure it has proper drainage.

    2. Add a layer of gravel at the bottom of the new pot

      • This will help the soil drain better and avoid root rot. 

    3. Remove plant from current container or growing pot

      • Remove the palm from its old container by laying it on its side and step or tap on the bottom of the container to loosen the plant. 
      • Gently slide the plant out of the container grabbing it from its main stem, being mindful not to damage the roots in the process. 

    4. Plant your palm

      • Use 70% potting soil and 30% coarse sand as your palm soil mix. 
      • Add a layer of fresh palm soil mix (70% potting soil and 30% coarse sand) to the bottom of the planter.
      • Place the plant in the center of the planter and backfill around the edges, packing the soil down with your hands to eliminate any air pockets. 
      • Level the soil on top, ensuring the base of the palm is at the same level as the top of the planter. 

    5. Water thoroughly but slowly

      • Water slowly to give the soil time to absorb the water. Otherwise, it may spill over the edge or drain too quickly, without nourishing the roots.
      • You know the palm has enough water when it starts coming out of the drainage holes. 
      • Follow the watering recommendations for your specific palm, or use a moisture meter and water when roots are dry. 

        Palm Care 

        SUNLIGHT

        Refer to the Palm Care guide for advice on your specific palm variety and follow this guide:

        FULL SUN: Requires a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.

        PARTIAL SHADE: Requires 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day.

        BRIGHT INDIRECT LIGHT: For indoor plants, this means 4-6 hours of indirect bright light each day. 

        FULL SHADE: Requires less than 4 hours of direct sunlight each day.

        WATER

        • For the first month, water twice a week. After the palm is established, water once a week. 
        • Ensure watering is thorough so the bottom roots receive adequate water.  
        • Space out watering sessions to allow roots to dry between waterings.
        • The amount of water needed per palm per watering session is equivalent to the volume of the planting hole that was dug for each palm. This amount may range from 2 gallons for small containerized material to 15 gallons for larger palms.
        • Overwatering or poor drainage can damage the roots over time and cause root rot.
        • Adding mulch over the soil where the palm is planted helps with water retention. 

        Watering frequency depends on the season and outside temperature:

        • Winter (60° or below): If outside, no need to water except for the first 30 days after installation. If indoors, water twice a month. 
        • Spring (75° or below):  Water once a week.  
        • Beginning Summer (90° or below): Water 2-3 times a weeks.
        • Heat of Summer (90° or above): Water 4 times a week. 

        FERTILIZATION

        • Fertilize newly planted palms with a palm-specific fertilize, following the instructions on the label.
        • Fertilize at the start of Spring, Summer and Fall. Indoor palms need only Spring and Summer fertilization. 

        SOIL

        • Palms tolerate most soil types, but they need to have good drainage. 
        • Add coarse sand to the soil mix to improve drainage at a ratio of 70% soil and 30% sand. 
        Alexandra Moreno

        Alexandra Moreno

        Alexandra is a landscape designer and tropical plant and palm expert. She has been designing gardens and providing plant design consulting for over a decade, and prides herself in her extensive knowledge of tropical plants. She designs from her home in tropical Colombia, where she gathers daily inspiration for her designs and articles.