Well-draining soil refers to soil compositions that won’t cause water to pool up. Almost every potted palm tree you see at a nursery or store will already have well-draining soil, but it’s important that you keep the soil well-draining over the palm’s life. Palm trees are prone to root rot. If water pools up in the soil, it can increase the odds that the roots begin to rot. Well-draining soil ensures that the water doesn’t stick around for too long in your pot.

If you don’t have a well-lit room in your home that has large windows, it may be kind of tough to keep your palm healthy when it gets bigger. Parlor palms are the major exception when it comes to sunlight requirements. Parlor palms will do just fine in indirect light and can be kept 5–10 feet (1. 5–3. 0 m) away from sunny windows. Some species of palm tree, like the Kenita palm, sentry palm, and pygmy palm will do just fine with 2-4 hours of direct sunlight. Many people keep their potted palms outdoors during the summer months to ensure that it gets enough light and heat. You can keep a potted palm tree outside permanently if you live in a tropical area, but be sure to bring it inside during periods of excessive rain.

Since your palm tree needs to be near a window, it can get drafty if it gets cold out. During winter months, keep the window near your palm sealed with plastic wrap and tape to prevent freezing your palm tree. If your home regularly gets colder than 65 °F (18 °C), the Kentia palms and European fan palms are great choices. They tend to be much more comfortable with lower temperatures than other palms. If the tree starts listing at an angle, it’s likely due to a draft or uneven temperature. Continue adjusting the palm tree’s location until you find a healthy location for your tree.

Some palm trees are sensitive to chlorine and other nutrients in tap water. If your palm hates tap water, leave a bucket of water out at least 24 hours before watering your palm to give the nutrients and chlorine time to evaporate.

Indoor palms require less water than palm trees that are grown outside. This is due to the fact that potted soil typically retains water for much longer than the soil outside. Some species of palm tree require more water than others. If your palm’s soil dries out after 2-3 days, your specific tree may require several watering sessions a week.

If you prefer, you can set a humidifier up next to your palm tree and leave it on. A humidifier will typically provide enough moisture for the leaves and you can skip the spray bottle.

When they’re juveniles, it will typically take most palm trees 10-15 years to grow 10 feet (3. 0 m) tall. Some species will never exceed 10 feet (3. 0 m) in height. This is less of a concern for species that don’t grow taller than 5–6 feet (1. 5–1. 8 m). The sago palm is an exception to this rule. Sago palms, which aren’t technically palm trees but look identical to many of them, tend to require fertilizer.

Avoid fertilizers that are high in nitrogen. These fertilizers can cause palm trees to grow too rapidly. Some palm trees will require 2-3 doses of fertilizer a year for their entire lifespan. This is typically necessary for palm trees that don’t grow taller than 15 feet (4. 6 m) when they’re outside.

Some palms that develop a lot of leaves will require a lot of pruning. Other species will require almost no pruning at all. You cannot prune the trunk of the tree. Do not cut or trim this portion of the plant.

The roots will begin sticking out of the soil when they’re growing too large. This typically won’t happen until 2-3 years of continuous growth have occurred. Be extremely careful when doing this. If you break a lot of the roots, your palm tree may struggle to reestablish itself in its new pot. Palm trees tend to grow to fit the container they’re in. If you use a massive pot for a small tree, it’s more likely to grow taller quickly.

Palm trees are typically pretty safe inside. Mealybugs and mites are extremely unlikely to wander indoors, but they may attack your plant if you take it outdoors for the summer. Horticultural and neem oil are natural insecticides that won’t harm your plant. They cover the surface of the plant and suffocate any pests.