Best Area to Plant a Palm Tree

Palm trees are heavy, so maneuvering them requires a fair amount of physical strength. Choose a location where you can safely plant the palm without causing damage to structures or power lines.

Palms do best when their roots are covered, either by mulch in cultivation or leaf litter in nature. To ensure this, dig a hole that is 6 inches wider and deeper than the root ball.

Location

Palm trees are a wonderful accent to many landscapes. They can provide an exotic and tropical look and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and leaf arrangements including palmate (fan-shaped) and pinnate (feather-formed).

Palms like to be covered whether it be with mulch in cultivation or with leaf litter in their natural habitat. Knowing a palm’s expected mature height and width helps to select a planting site where it won’t interfere with structures or power lines.

When planting a palm it is recommended to thoroughly amend the native soil with sand or organic compost at a 1/1 ratio to the soil dug out of the hole. This lightens the soil and improves drainage. When the palm is set in place backfill around the root ball so that it just barely covers it. Be careful not to overwater as this can lead to root rot and other diseases. Water regularly after planting until the top of the ground is moist to the touch.

Soil

Palms grow best in a soil that is moderately acidic. Using recipes and potting mixes that are specifically formulated for palms can help ensure the soil is properly suited to the plant’s needs. Regardless of the exact soil composition, it should be well-drained. Constantly soggy soil can lead to root rot or other serious problems for the palm.

If the native soil in your planting site is clay-like and not particularly quick to drain, consider amending it prior to digging the hole. A good mix of topsoil, sphagnum peat moss and coarse sand or pumice can lighten the soil texture while adding drainage.

After the palm is set in the planting hole, backfill the area, tamping down and watering as you go to settle the soil and remove any air pockets. A 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch is helpful for conserving moisture and suppressing unwanted weed growth.

Water

Palm trees are tropical plants and thrive in warm weather. They do not tolerate cold temperatures well and will wilt and die if they experience chilling. When displaying your palm tree outdoors, keep it in a shaded area. This will help it adapt to cooler summer temperatures and will also prevent people from brushing against the fronds, which can cause damage or rot.

When planting a palm tree, dig a hole that barely covers the root crown. Exposing the top of the root ball can cause it to drown and rot. It’s important to water the soil until it is damp, but not saturated.

When backfilling the hole, irrigate the soil to settle it and remove any air pockets. Once the soil is planted, mulch around the base to conserve moisture and protect the roots. Consider adding mycorrhizal fungi to the backfill mixture to encourage deeper and healthier roots. Mycorrhizal fungi naturally occur in most soils and help palms absorb nutrients from the soil.

Light

Palms need bright light to thrive, and they like warm temperatures, so growing near a west- or south-facing window is ideal. But avoid direct sunlight, which can cause leaf burn and damage the plant.

When planting palms outdoors, use sandy loam soil that drains well. Heavy soil amendments should be avoided because they can destabilize palms and lead to root rot.

For potted palms, use a specialized soil or potting mix made specifically with palm trees in mind. Often, these soils have the drainage requirements and pH of palms already tailored.

When choosing a soil mixture, add coarse sand or perlite to improve drainage. Also add a handful of organic matter, such as compost, aged manure or leaf mold to provide nutrients and improve soil structure. Adding bark or wood chips to the soil can help retain water and create air pockets that promote healthy root growth. When watering palms, soil should be moist but not wet — a constant supply of soggy soil can quickly lead to root rot.