Watering, repotting, cutting and more

What should be considered when watering a Caryota mitis?

The fishtail palm should never dry out completely and should therefore be watered regularly as soon as the substrate has dried slightly on the surface. However, the water should be dosed in such a way that no excess water remains in the coaster.

Does the fishtail palm have to be repotted annually?

The fishtail palm only needs to be repotted every few years. It is even the case that this type of palm grows faster when there is little space in the plant pot than in a planter that is too large. In the lower quarter of the plant pot, pottery shards or a similarly coarse material can be placed to prevent waterlogging.

Can the fishtail palm be cut back?

When removing withered leaves, do not cut too close to the trunk, but leave a stub about 3 to 5 cm long. The natural habitus of the fishtail palm does not actually require any pruning measures. Side rungs can be carefully removed for propagation purposes.

How can you control pests on a Caryota mitis?

The fishtail palm becomes like that Cactus milkweed and other plants from warmer regions of the earth when cared for as houseplant not infrequently from Spider mites infested. Since these pests rely on a dry climate, frequent spraying with water can be sufficient as a preventive and control measure. You should also check the fishtail palm regularly for an infestation with thrips, otherwise these can multiply quickly and be responsible for the death of leaves.

What to do if the fishtail palm shows symptoms of disease?

Dried out leaf tips or completely dried up leaves can not only be due to infrequent watering, but also to low humidity. Yellow discolored leaves, on the other hand, can indicate a location that is either too sunny or too dark.

How do you go about fertilizing the fishtail palm?

During the summer months, Caryota mitis is given monthly with a special Palm fertilizer provided. If this palm is cultivated indoors at evenly warm temperatures all year round, a weakly dosed fertilizer application is also possible in winter about every two months.

Under which conditions is a Caryota mitis ideally overwintered?

Planted specimens of the fishtail palm can with a certain winter protection and after a Appropriate acclimatization to short-term frost temperatures of up to minus 7 degrees Celsius survive. If, on the other hand, the fishtail palm is in the house during the winter, attention should be paid to the following location conditions:

• as bright as possible
• less fertilizer and water than in summer with plenty of light
• Increase the humidity by using water bowls or vessels with moist peat next to the fishtail palm