Palms in pots
2020-02-17T10:24:38+11:00
Potted palms make great feature plants. Tropical Bali vibe, old-world Victorian elegance, minimalist Nordic chic or ’70s indoor-plant craziness… all these styles are possible when you grow palms in containers. Here are three tips for success.
- Choose the right container. Most containers are suitable, but unless you’re diligent with watering, avoid terracotta, which dries out quickly. Choose a container one or two sizes bigger than the pot size at purchase to allow room for roots to develop and support the lush growth above. Always use premium-quality potting mix.
- Feed well. Fertilise with organic pellets every three months in the warmer months. Supplement with fortnightly applications of liquid organic fertiliser for faster growth. Water regularly to keep the potting mix just moist. Repeated drying out may cause palms to lose their lush, tropical look.
- Watch out for pests. Palms can suffer from sap-sucking insects such as mites, scale and mealy bugs. Spray with botanically based horticultural oil, but avoid mineral oil, as palms can be sensitive to these. Test-spray a frond before treating the entire plant.
Here are some types of palms that grow well in pots.
Photo by iStock
