2023 How To Grow And Care Paradise Palm: Best Tips And Advice

Choosing the Perfect Location for Your Paradise Palm

To grow paradise palm, place the plant in bright, indirect light to thrive. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, so positioning the palm away from direct rays is ideal. Window placement is the perfect spot, providing ideal medium to low light conditions.
More comprehensive information and care guidelines can be read here.

grow paradise palm, pot, green plant on brown clay pot — *Photo by* *David Vázquez* / *Unsplash*

Providing the Right Soil and Pot for Optimal Growth

The soil mix is crucial for ensuring optimal growth of paradise palms.Use a loose, well-draining soilmix that allows for good aeration around the roots.The soil should contain:

40% coarse sand or perlite for drainage
30% peat moss or compost for moisture retention
30% topsoil or potting soil for nutrients

Avoid soil with manure or fertilizer,as this can burn young roots.The pot should have plenty of drainage holesat the base to prevent root rot. When repotting,use a container only 2 to 3 incheswider than the current pot.

Paradise palms prefer being somewhat pot bound because their fine roots are prone to damage.Only repot into a larger pot if you see roots circling the drainage holes or the surface of the soil.Use a cacti and succulent soil mix that is well-draining.Stay away from regular potting soils that retain too much moisture.

To repot,gently remove the plant from its current pot and loosen the roots if they are tightly wound.Place the plant in the center of a clean pot with 1 to 2 inches of soilmix beneath it.Fill in the sides with soil and firm it down gently.Water thoroughly and place the pot in a bright, indirect light spot.

grow paradise palm, sunlight, green leaves during day time — *Photo by* *Toufik El Fachati* / *Unsplash*

Watering and Moisture: Essential Care for Paradise Palm

Proper watering is crucial for healthy paradise palms. They thrive with moist but well-draining soil and suffer when overwatered. The key is watering based on the soil moisture instead of a fixed schedule.

Use your fingers to check if the top 1 – 2 inches of soil are dry to the touch before watering again.During the growing season (spring to fall), water thoroughly whenever the topsoil feels dry.This can range from once every 7 – 14 days.

In the winter when the plant is semi-dormant,reduce watering to once every 2 – 4 weeks or when the topsoil becomes completely dry.Prolonged periods of soggy soil can cause:

Yellowing or brown scorched leaves
Root rot: mushy,dark roots
Stunted growth and loss of lower fronds

When you water,saturate the entire soilmix until water drains from the drainage holes. Discard any excess water in the tray to avoid root rot from standing water.

During the active growing season,paradise palms will need:

1 – 1.5 inches of water per month
Water that’s around room temperature (65°F to 75°F)
Humid conditions between 40% to 50%

Place the pot in a pebble tray filled with water to boost ambient humidity.Water the palm thoroughly but infrequently for optimal health.

grow paradise palm, sunlight, silhouette of people on beach during sunset — *Photo by* *Nick Fewings* / *Unsplash*

Fertilizing and Nutrient Requirements: Boosting Growth

Paradise palms benefit from regular,light applications of balanced fertilizer to promote strong growth. Fertilize your palm once a month from spring through fall when the plant is actively growing new fronds.

Use a complete fertilizer that contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K),as well as micronutrients like iron, manganese, and zinc. A common N-P-K ratio for palms is 5-1-1 or 7-3-5.

Always dilute liquid fertilizer to half or quarter strength according to the label instructions to avoid burning the roots.For granular fertilizer, follow the recommended application rate on the bag.

Some good options for fertilizing paradise palms include:

Palm fertilizer specially formulated for palm plants
All-purpose fertilizer dilute to half strength
Slow-release fertilizer which feeds the plant over 3 to 6 months

Apply the fertilizer solution to the base of the plant where most of the shallow feeder roots are located. Water thoroughly after applying to wash the nutrients into the soil.

Skip fertilizing in winter when paradise palms slow their growth. Resume fertilizing again in early spring as the plant starts pushing out new fronds. The ideal soil pH for palms ranges from 6.0 to 6.5 so occasionally check your soil pH levels. Add lime if the soil is overly acidic to adjust the pH and ensure optimum nutrient availability.

Proper fertilization helps produce larger fronds and thicker stems while producing fewer but longer-lived leaves. Only fertilize as needed based on the plant’s growth and health. Avoid using excess fertilizer which will not benefit the plant and may even damage it.

grow paradise palm, fertilizer, the branches of a tree with purple flowers — *Photo by* *Alexander Cifuentes* / *Unsplash*

Pruning and Maintenance: Keeping Your Paradise Palm in Shape

Regular pruning and care is essential to keep your paradise palm healthy and good-looking. Palm fronds will naturally yellow and die off over time. Prune these off regularly to keep the plant full,compact and attractive.

Use sharp pruning shears or loppers to cut thoroughly through the stalk at the base of each dying frond.Cut fronds that are:

Completely yellow with no green left
Brown and crispy
Wilted and hanging down

Avoid pruning living fronds as palms do not regrow their leaflets. Simply remove the dead ones to make room for new growth.

Prune paradise palms:

Early spring: Remove any remaining dead fronds before new growth emerges
Summer: Remove any yellowing fronds as they appear
Fall: Give the plant a final prune before winter

After pruning,sanitize your pruning tools with rubbing alcohol to avoid spreading disease. Also:

Check the palm’s roots and repot if root bound
Remove accumulated thatch and debris from the soil surface
Look for signs of pests and treat immediately
Apply a fresh layer of mulch to the soil to help retain moisture

Light,regular pruning keeps your paradise palm productive while ensuring optimal light exposure and airflow.Pruning also helps maintain a tidy presentation and removes any potential hiding places for pests. Ensure to water the plant well after pruning to minimize stress.

Overall,proper pruning and care allows paradise palms to thrive for many years,producing lush foliage and elegant stems.With patience and care,your palm will reward you with vibrant green fronds and a tropical touch indoors.