Fertilize palm trees: tips on timing & procedure

With palm trees you can bring the holiday flair into your own garden. With us you can find out how, when and with what is the best way to fertilize palm trees.

Under the umbrella term “palm trees” or “palm trees” (Arecaceae, Palmae) a multitude of species come together They differ greatly in their demands regarding light and water conditions as well as in the comfortable temperature. The availability of nutrients also varies greatly from habitat to habitat, and so do the plants' need for nutrients in the form of additional fertilizers. In general, however, palms are considered to be rather frugal, they rarely need a lot of additional nutrients. But especially fast-growing species look forward to support in the construction of new palm fronds in the course of fertilization.

Professional fertilization is the alpha and omega of an appealing and healthy growing plant, and not only for heavy eaters. Even frugal plants like palm trees need an adequate supply of nutrients as a basis for their green life. It is precisely here that the right fertilizer and, in particular, the right dosage are important. In the case of palms, over-fertilization usually ends fatally, i.e. with the death of the plant. In order to avoid a bad ending, we clarify the most important questions regarding the fertilization of palm trees for you below.

When to fertilize palm trees

When planting or repotting your palm you should consider the potting soil compost mix in. This supplies the plant with nutrients and provides the slightly acidic soil environment that palms need to feel good. The additional mixing in of quartz sand creates a loose soil structure. In this way the risk of waterlogging is minimized. The contained silicates are an additional plus, because these are needed for cell structure.

Once they are in the bed or pot, you fertilize palms from the beginning of the growth phase, i.e. from April / May until October every two weeks. Additional fertilization in the winter months is only necessary if the plant is warm and in a light spot. The time interval between fertilization is then increased to four weeks. When using a long-term fertilizer, however, a single dose in spring is sufficient, which is why such fertilizers are clearly recommended.

Palm fertilizer: how and with what fertilize palm trees?

In general, palms do not have any particular requirements when it comes to the composition of their nutrients. The purchase of a special palm fertilizer is therefore not necessary. Many of these specialty fertilizers are not only overpriced, but also have the wrong nutrient ratio. Commercially available ones, however, are perfectly suitable NPK fertilizer for green plants. Make sure you have a balanced ratio of nitrogen to potassium and a slightly lower phosphate content. Slow-growing palm species also need half the amount of fertilizer specified by the manufacturer. An additional supply of trace elements is usually unnecessary, as they are available in sufficient quantities in the soil.

An organic slow release fertilizer not only saves you from having to resort to fertilizer, it also minimizes the risk of over-fertilization thanks to the slow release of active ingredients. Our Plantura organic universal fertilizer offers the long-term effect of an organic fertilizer in high-quality organic quality. In this way, you not only protect plants and soil, but also support sustainable production methods with your purchase.

If you want to send your palm tree strengthened into winter, it is best to switch to a potassium-based fertilizer from August. Potassium supports the hardening of the shoots and thus protects against frost damage. This is especially important with outdoor palms. In the case of potted palms that are overwintered frost-free, on the other hand, a change of fertilizer with a high concentration of potassium can be dispensed with.

Organically fertilize palm trees: procedure and application recommendation

Particularly compost is ideal as an organic nutrient supplier for your palm. This is worked into the upper layer of the earth every spring and covered with a fresh layer of earth. The nutrients are then released over a long period of time when they decompose and also ensure a slightly acidic soil pH value. In the case of potted palm trees in the interior, however, the smell of these natural remedies is usually annoying and it is also difficult to fold them under the ground. Organic fertilizers from the trade are therefore a good and sometimes just as environmentally conscious alternative. These also gently release their nutrients to the root environment and ensure a long-lasting supply of nutrients and a healthy microbiome in the soil without unpleasant smells.

Our Plantura Organic universal fertilizer offers an NPK ratio (6 - 3 - 4) from mainly organic sources, i.e. a ratio of nitrogen (N) to phosphate (P) to potassium (K), the palms and other plants an optimal basic supply of nutrients offers. However, so that not only the ingredients are correct, but also the correct dosage, we have brief instructions on how to apply our Plantura organic universal fertilizer compiled for you:

1. Before planting 100 - 150 g / m² (well-filled 0.2 liter jar) of our Plantura Organic universal fertilizer work into the upper soil layer
2. Pour the soil and freshly inserted palm well so that the granules can dissolve well
3. With maintenance fertilization in spring, you should fertilize another 80 - 120 g / m² (0.2 liter jar) per plant

For palm trees that have been kept in the tub for a long time without being repotted, an annual addition of rock flour can be useful. In this way, the limited storage capacities of the soil are replenished with important trace elements. Particularly interesting for the palm are the silicates it contains, which are needed for rapid cell growth. However, be careful when adding rock flour, as it contains lime and thus increases the pH of the soil. Most palm trees, however, require a slightly acidic soil.

Mineral fertilize palm trees

Mineral fertilizers are highly concentrated nutrients that contain their minerals mostly in salt form. These are water-soluble and therefore available for the plants immediately after application. In the case of deficiency symptoms and potted palms, this can be of great advantage, because the soil volume and thus the nutrient stores in the pot are very limited. However, with mineral fertilizers, the risk of over-fertilization is very high if the dosage is incorrect. As mentioned earlier, over-fertilization of palm trees often leads to the death of the plants. Blue grain and Co. should therefore only be dosed in small amounts. In this way, the plants also get calcium, which occurs in the form of lime in blue grain and is important for the membrane system of the plant cells. However, the lime increases the pH of the soil. To counteract this, you can additionally Epsom salt are given. This in turn lowers the soil pH value and supplies magnesium for particularly green palm fronds and a high level of resistance for your plants.

However, there is also organic fertilizersthat provide the same nutrients. Here you have the advantage of easier handling because it is difficult to overfertilize the plants. In addition, the ingredients come from natural sources. This saves valuable resources during production and you can provide your plants with more sustainable care. If you also want to make your exotic species fit for winter, you can use Patentkali at the end of Augst. The autumn fertilization with this one Potassium fertilizer makes your palm less susceptible to frost damage.

Fertilize palm trees with home remedies

Palms prefer a slightly acidic soil pH. This makes them ideal candidates for a Fertilizing with coffee grounds. Because the dried compound, incorporated in the upper soil layer or as an addition in the irrigation water, provides an excellent source of nitrogen and over time drives the soil pH value down. You can also try your hand at recycling other kitchen waste such as banana peel or tea leaves. Even some weeds from the garden don't have to land directly on the compost. An alternative to composting is to make a brew or liquid manure from the unpleasant plant residues of nettle, comfrey, field horsetail or the like.