Watering the palm tree

• Palm origin
• Palm care and location
• Palm tree pruning
• Fertilizing palm trees
• Watering the palm tree

Palm origin

The term "palm" does not refer to a single plant species, but to an entire family: the Arecaceae, also known as the palm family. This plant family includes more than 2.500 species represented in over 180 genera worldwide. Palms occur naturally in tropical, subtropical, and sometimes warm temperate climates – particularly in South America, Southeast Asia, Central Africa, the Pacific islands, and parts of the Mediterranean.

Many palm species originate from rainforests, river landscapes, or coastal regions. A few, such as the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) or the Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis), are native to drier, semi-desert areas. Others, such as the Chinese hemp palm (Trachycarpus fortunei), grow in more mountainous regions of Asia and are frost-tolerant to a certain extent—making them attractive for Central European gardens as well.

Palm trees are among the oldest known plant groups on Earth and have a long cultural and historical significance. Date palms were already cultivated in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. In Southeast Asia, coconut palms (Cocos nucifera) continue to serve as essential crops today: They provide not only food such as coconuts and oil, but also fiber, wood, and building materials.

Palms are also becoming increasingly common in Central Europe – as potted plants, as architectural design elements in parks or courtyards, or – with suitable species – even planted in gardens, provided they can overwinter well protected. Robust species such as Trachycarpus fortunei, Chamaerops humilis, or Washingtonia robusta are particularly popular. Despite their exotic appearance, many palms are surprisingly adaptable – provided they are given the right location and proper care.

Palm care and location

Palms are generally adaptable plants, but they require different care depending on the species. A crucial factor in cultivation in Europe is the choice of location. Most palms prefer bright to sunny spots. Especially indoors or in conservatories, they should receive as much light as possible to stay healthy. Avoid drafts and direct heat from heating, as both can dry out the leaves or inhibit growth.

The ideal soil for palm trees is humus-rich, permeable, and slightly acidic to neutral in pH. Palm trees do not tolerate waterlogging very well – waterlogging in the root area can quickly lead to rot. Therefore, it is important to ensure a good drainage layer of expanded clay or gravel when planting in containers. Palm trees planted in the garden benefit from a permeable substrate that drains water quickly, even in heavy rain. Humidity plays a particularly important role for tropical palm species. In dry indoor air, the leaves should be sprayed regularly with low-lime water. Some species, such as the gold fruit palm (Dypsis lutescens) or the mountain palm (Chamaedorea elegans), are sensitive to dry air and indicate this with brown leaf tips.

Palm tree pruning

Palm trees generally only grow from the tip – they have a so-called terminal meristem. This means that if the growing point (the growing tip) is damaged or removed, the palm tree will die. Therefore, palm trees should never be pruned from the tip. Pruning palm trees is solely for removing dead or damaged leaves. These can be removed regularly directly at the trunk using clean, sharp scissors or a pruning saw.

The best time to prune is spring or early summer, when the palm is in its active growth phase. During this time, it regenerates faster and wounds heal better. Be careful not to remove green, healthy leaves—even if they no longer appear perfect. Every green surface contributes to photosynthesis and provides the plant with energy. Potted palms that overwinter indoors, in particular, accumulate dried leaves and fronds over time. These should be removed regularly to prevent mold and pest infestation. Fruit clusters or faded flower heads can also be removed if necessary; they do not affect growth.

Do you need to fertilize palm trees?

Palm trees are among the plants with a rather moderate nutrient requirement – ​​they need regular, but not excessive, fertilized During the growing season from March to September, regular application of a suitable palm fertilizer is recommended. It's best to use a liquid fertilizer, which you add to the watering every two to four weeks. In addition to the main nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, this should also contain trace elements such as magnesium, iron, and manganese.

Alternatively, a slow-release organic fertilizer can be worked into the topsoil in spring. This releases nutrients slowly over several weeks, reducing the risk of over-fertilization. Especially with newly repotted palms, it's sufficient to start fertilizing about six to eight weeks after repotting—the new substrate already contains plenty of nutrients.

In winter, you should stop fertilizing completely, or apply minimally every six to eight weeks at most if the palm is in a warm location and continues to grow. If it's in a cool, low-light environment, growth will almost completely cease—during this dormant period, the plant doesn't need any additional nutrients. A common mistake is overfertilization, which leads to salt buildup in the substrate. This damages the sensitive roots and causes brown leaf tips. If you're unsure, use sparingly and rinse regularly with low-lime water to wash out excess nutrients.

Water your palm tree properly!

Proper watering is crucial for palm trees. They don't like it too dry or too wet – consistent soil moisture is ideal. Young plants and newly repotted specimens are particularly sensitive to too little or too much water. The root ball should never dry out completely, but it shouldn't be left standing in water for long periods either. Pour Therefore, only water when the top layer of soil has dried out. During the main growth period, palm trees require significantly more water than in winter. On hot summer days, daily watering may even be necessary, especially for potted plants on sunny terraces or balconies.

Particularly well suited for a consistent and effective water supply is the baumbad watering bagIt is placed directly around the trunk and filled with 75 to 100 liters of water. This water is slowly released into the soil over several hours and seeps deep into the roots. This evenly moistens the soil without causing waterlogging. The tree bath bag also prevents water from evaporating unused or running off the surface. This is a significant relief, especially for larger palm trees outdoors or in large pots – you have to water less frequently, saving water and time.

In winter, when palms are cooler and growth is slow, watering them sparingly is sufficient. Make sure the substrate never dries out completely, but also doesn't remain permanently moist. Excessive moisture during the cold season is a common care mistake, especially for sensitive species.

In this article you will find more information about the Watering palm trees with tree watering bags.