Here are their ideal growing conditions:
- Light: Fishtail palms require a great deal of very bright light. Provide the best light possible for the strongest growth and longest lifespan.
- Water: Provide a steady supply of light moisture. ...
- Soil: Any standard peat-based or coir-based potting with added drainage material will do a good job. ...
- Fertilizer: Feed with a weak liquid fertilizer throughout the growing season. ...
How do you propagate a fishtail palm tree?
Fishtail palms can be propagated from seed. Flowers on this palm tree contain both male and female parts so that a single plant can yield viable seed. To sprout palm seed, keep it warm and moist in a small pot for six to eight months.
Can you grow fishtail palm indoors?
Many plant growers like growing fishtail palm indoors because of its unique look. Its size does become more manageable indoors growing “only” to between 8 and 20 feet. As such, it only makes sense to keep the plant inside when it is still young. The only exception here is if you have really high ceilings or have some barn-like structure.
How tall do fishtail palm trees grow?
The Caryota mitis originated first in Burma, Malaysia. The average height of the fishtail palm tree is six feet for indoor varieties. Growing the fishtail palm tree is easy. It likes warm temperatures, moist soil, and a moderately crowded pot.
How do you take care of a fishtail palm?
As with any tropical plant, the fishtail palm requires high humidity and must be kept moist at all times. Fill a spray bottle with water and mist the palm several times a day to increase humidity. You can also use a humidifier in the room where you place your palm. If the palm foliage begins to yellow, it may be due to lack of humidity.
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Is a fishtail palm hard to grow?
Fishtails are beautiful palm trees, but they are not especially easy to grow indoors over the long-term. They need bright, strong light, or they will slowly die, and they benefit from warmer and wetter air than many houses can provide.
How long does it take for a fishtail palm to grow?
If planted in the right conditions, they grow quickly, about 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 centimeters) per year, once established. Most are single-trunk species, but some, such as the clustering fishtail palm C. mitis, grow multiple trunks, with new ones called suckers emerging at the base of the first trunk.
Are fishtail palms fast growers?
Fishtail palm trees can grow to more than 20 feet tall and can spread to about 35 feet wide at maturity. However, fishtail palm trees also have a moderate growth rate, meaning it may take a while for them to reach their fullest form.
Do fishtail palms need sun?
Perhaps the biggest challenge with growing fishtail palms is providing enough light. They need lots of extremely bright light, but they don't do well with direct afternoon sunlight. Some early morning light is fine, and then they need as much bright, indirect light as they can get throughout the rest of the day.
Can you cut the top off of a fishtail palm?
Trim off browned leaf stems as needed. With regular water and fertilizing, and since this palm is a moderate grower, trimming will only be necessary occasionally. Because it's a clustering palm, the palm's stems/trunks can be cut off at or close to ground level without hurting the plant.
Do fishtail palms spread?
Plant Fishtail Palms in a well-drained area that doesn't stay wet and water them regularly. Because it is a clustering palm you need to plan enough room for the palm to spread out and fill in. Plant Fishtail Palms at least 6 or more feet from any house or other tall structure.
How often do you water a fishtail palm?
Most fishtail palms require a weekly water during the spring and summer and twice per month in the winter when the plant is dormant. Do not splash water on the foliage as it may induce disease.
How long do fishtail palms live?
25-30 yearsGiant fishtail palm Caryota gigas is the largest of the fishtail palms, growing 70 feet tall. It will withstand temperatures to 28 degrees F and grows best where nights are cool. Giant fishtail palm lives 25-30 years.
How do you look after a fishtail palm?
Grow fishtail palm as a houseplant, and you want to provide as much light as possible. Fishtail palms are thirsty plants. Make sure soil drains well, and then aim to keep it consistently moist. This palm's thirst makes it difficult for it to survive in places like California, where hot, drying winds prevail.
How cold can fishtail palms tolerate?
Cold Tolerance: The Fishtail Palm can tolerate cold temperatures down to 15F. It is great for growing in the USDA zones 8b (15 to 20 F) to 11 (above 40 F). Light Req: Shade to partial shade. Water Req: It requires a lot of water with good drainage.
How much do fishtail palms cost?
Fishtail Palm TreeCaryota mitis. $99.95.
Why are my fishtail palms yellow?
Leaves Yellow and Dry: Too Much Direct Sun or Underwatering Remedy - Water Fishtail Palm consistently when topsoil is dry. Keep palm a few feet from windows to avoid scorching.
Are fishtail palms slow growing?
When planting a fishtail palm tree outside, keep its ultimate size in mind. Although slow-growing, it will mature to quite a large size with a widespread of compound leaves. Plant the tree in well-drained soil and full to part sun.
How much do fishtail palms cost?
Fishtail Palm TreeCaryota mitis. $99.95.
Do fishtail palms need a lot of water?
Most fishtail palms require a weekly water during the spring and summer and twice per month in the winter when the plant is dormant. Do not splash water on the foliage as it may induce disease.
How cold can fishtail palms tolerate?
Cold Tolerance: The Fishtail Palm can tolerate cold temperatures down to 15F. It is great for growing in the USDA zones 8b (15 to 20 F) to 11 (above 40 F). Light Req: Shade to partial shade. Water Req: It requires a lot of water with good drainage.
Caryota mitis
If you’ve ever been mesmerized by the gently flowing tail of a fish underwater, you’ll love fishtail palms. They have large leaves with a shape reminiscent of the graceful caudal fin of a goldfish or betta fish.
What Is a Fishtail Palm?
Fishtail palms belong to the genus Caryota, which includes over a dozen species.
Cultivation and History
C. mitis is most often cultivated for sale across the world in Ecuador, Fiji, Australia, and China. It was first identified by botanist João de Loureiro, who spotted the palm in Vietnam and described it in 1790, just one year before his death.
Propagation
There are only two ways to propagate a fishtail palm: from seed, or from divisions.
How to Grow
Perhaps the biggest challenge with growing fishtail palms is providing enough light. They need lots of extremely bright light, but they don’t do well with direct afternoon sunlight.
Pruning and Maintenance
Despite being a tree, there is no need to prune your fishtail palm. Unless a branch dies or is heavily infested with spider mites or scale, just let it do its thing.
Where to Buy
There aren’t any cultivars or varieties available, so all fishtail palms are sold under the common name, or their botanical name, C. mitis.
How much humidity does a fishtail palm need?
Most often, the fishtail palm tree is used as an indoor plant where the air tends to be dry. The minimum humidity needed for this divine plant is 50%. If it drops any lower, consider using a cool-mist room humidifier or a humidity tray to help maintain a proper balance.
What is the best houseplant to grow in Florida?
If you live in a warm climate such as in Florida or the southern West Coast, the Fishtail Palm tree will be a perfect addition to your home or garden. This houseplant thrives in humidity and warm temperatures, which is why it is a common choice for hot locations.
Why do fishtail palms need less water?
In the winter, you should limit the number of times you water the plant to prevent the soil from getting soggy. There is less growth in the winter, so the fishtail palm tree will consume less water. Tap water often has chlorine and fluoride which is harmful to the fishtail palm tree.
How to stop a caryota mitis from growing?
Caryota mitis plants and all palm trees have growth patterns that start from the branch tips. Cutting off a new frond at the stem will essentially make the plant stop growing. The Pinching new fronds will stop the growth of the Caryota mitis is generally resistant to pests, however, it can develop leafspot fungus on occasion.
How tall is a fishtail palm tree?
The Caryota mitis originated first in Burma, Malaysia. The average height of the fishtail palm tree is six feet for indoor varieties.
What does a fishtail palm tree look like?
The triangle-shaped leaves on a mature plant will seem to split at the ends which makes them look a bit like the tail of a fish. This unique feature is where the Caryota mitis got the common name of the fishtail palm tree.
What is the best plant to plant with Caryota mitis?
Tips for planting & caring for “Caryota mitis”. The Fishtail palm tree is a nice plant to add to your home or office if you are looking for something that has a unique appearance. Mature Caryota mitis plants have interesting leaves that have a dark green color with rough edges.
What is a fishtail palm?
Fishtail palms are very attractive, somewhat busy palm tre es with fronds that (not surprisingly) resemble the tails of dead fish. This is a suckering and clumping palm, meaning that a single healthy trunk will soon grow into a small clump. You'll frequently see fishtail palms sold as interiorscape plants, often for large areas like foyers ...
How to grow fishtail palms from seed?
Fishtail palms can be propagated from seed. Flowers on this palm tree contain both male and female parts so that a single plant can yield viable seed. To sprout palm seed, keep it warm and moist in a small pot for six to eight months. More commonly, plants can be propagated using suckers from the base of the mother plant. Remove them carefully with a bit of root and expect them to recover for several months before new growth emerges.
What is the best light for a fishtail palm?
Here are their ideal growing conditions: Light: Fishtail palms require a great deal of very bright light. Provide the best light possible for the strongest growth and longest lifespan. Water: Provide a steady supply of light moisture. The soil can become slightly dry between waterings, but it will appreciate a gentle and steady supply of water.
How to grow palms long term?
If you expect your palm to live for a long time, add extra drainage material (pine bark, perlite) to encourage longer-lasting soil. Fertilizer: Feed with a weak liquid fertilizer throughout the growing season. Adding a pinch of Epsom salts monthly will help prevent a magnesium deficiency.
Where do fishtail palms come from?
There are about a dozen varieties of fishtail palms, most of them native to tropical and subtropical India and Asia. The most common one in the trade is the Caryota mitis, which is likely the only one you'll find.
Do fishtail palms need light?
Fishtail palms above all require adequate light indoors. Once you've taken care of that, it's a matter of keeping a steady supply of moisture and paying attention to their fertilizer needs.
Can fishtail palms be planted indoors?
Fishtails are beautiful palm trees, but they are not especially easy to grow indoors over the long-term.
How big does a caryota grow?
The Caryota cumingii grows to about 12 metres and the Caryota maxima grows to 30 metres. The Caryota no is also a giant amongst Fishtails growing to 25 metres and suited to tropical lowlands. These three probable do not make the best indoor plants.
How tall do fishtail palms grow?
The leaves of the plant have jagged-edges that look like fins and fishtails, hence the name. The Fishtail palms on average grow 6 to 8 metres tall and grow at a moderate pace if given the optimum environment. The Caryota cumingii grows to about 12 metres and the Caryota maxima grows to 30 metres. The Caryota no is also a giant amongst Fishtails ...
What is the best palm to grow indoors?
The Australian Fishtail (Caryota albertii) is a climber and makes a good indoor palm. The Clustering Fishtail (Caryota mitis) is a spectacular palm for coastal Sydney and above in a protected place. When one trunk dies after seeding (as they do) there are lots more in its place. Fishtail palms are wonderful additions to any garden ...
How to grow fishtail palms?
Water. If you're growing the Fishtail palm in a warmer climate, do not let the palm dry out as it will begin shedding leaves. The Fishtail also loves humidity. Simulate humidity by misting the leaves with lukewarm water every day or use a humidifier . Low humidity can cause the plant to yellow and slow down its growth.
What are the problems with fishtails?
Pests and Diseases. Spider mites are the most common pest problem of the Fishtail. Take note if you see webs on your plant, check for spider mites. Toughly hose them off or Spray the plant with an insecticidal spray. Another thing to look out for is the Pseudomonas disease, which affects the Fishtail species.
How to tell if fishtail has Pseudomonas disease?
You can spot this by looking for brown and wet lesions that usually run parallel to the leaf vein. Remove the infected leaves to stop the disease from spreading.
Why do you fertilize fishtails after watering?
It is advisable to apply the fertilizer after watering in order to avoid root burn which could be a death sentence to a Fishtail. Over-feeding the plant can also be harmful and fatal if not remedied early. A sign of receiving too much fertilizer is withering of foliage.
What is a fishtail palm?
The Fishtail Palm ( Caryota) are palm trees that have leaves that resemble fish tails. Thus, their name. This makes them uniquely special too look at. And, differentiates them from other palm trees.
How are fishtail palms propagated?
Fishtail palm are propagated either by seed or by suckers.
How to keep moisture up on a plant?
Misting. Misting the plant with water is a great way to keep moisture up. Unfortunately, because the plant is big, you’ll need a good sized spray bottle. Plus, you’ll need to mist at least a few times a day. That comes out to a lot of work.
How to increase humidity in a large tree?
For this particular plant, a humidifier is the most convenient way to increase humidity if your home doesn’t get enough. While more costly, it is the most efficient and convenient way to regulate humidity for this large tree.
How tall do sage plants grow?
Because of this, they are often used for interior decorating and display, provided that you have enough space to grow them. Indoors they grow to between 8 to 20 feet tall. But they do get much bigger when planted outdoors or in your garden reaching up to 35 feet in height.
Where do fishtail palms grow?
The plant is native to the tropical forests of Asia, the South Pacific and norther Australia.
What to do when your lawn gets bigger?
The only thing you can do it as it gets bigger is to replace the topsoil with fresh ones. This helps keep the soil loose and airy for better drainage.
What are some examples of a plant that is a companion plant?
COMPANION PLANT SUGGESTIONS : Larger-scale plants like crinum lily or selloum philodendron - or more moderate-sized ones such as hibiscus, orange bird of paradise, variegated arboricola, chenille plant, cape jasmine and cordylines and dracaenas.
What is a fishtail palm?
Fishtails are clustering palms that grow dense and full. They can be used as privacy screens - especially while they're young - and create a draping mass of deep green leaves among large trunks as they age. Many homeowners opt for growing a fishtail in an area where they've been considering clumping bamboo.
Is a fishtail deer resistant?
Fishtails are considered deer-resistant (though we make no promises).
Can fishtails grow fast?
Many homeowners opt for growing a fishtail in an area where they've been considering clumping bamboo. It won't spread as much or grow as fast as bamboo, but gives the same kind of tropical look and privacy. Fishtails are considered deer-resistant (though we make no promises).
Can palm trees grow in full sun?
This palm can be grown in full sun to part shade. The more shade, the slower the growth rate. Mature stems will eventually flower and produce inedible fruits...and then die. These can be cut back and new growth sprouting up from the bottom will help fill in.
Growing Conditions
Propagation
- Fishtail palms can be propagated from seed. Flowers on this palm tree contain both male and female parts so that a single plant can yield viable seed. To sprout palm seed, keep it warm and moist in a small pot for six to eight months. More commonly, plants can be propagated using suckersfrom the base of the mother plant. Remove them carefully with a bit of root and expect t…
Repotting
- Repot in the spring while they are young. In general, fishtail palms are slow-growing and will only need repotting every other year or so. It may not be possible to repot larger palms. In this case, scrape away the top several inches of potting soil and work new soil into the pot. Add plenty of porous drainage material to encourage good drainage.
Varieties
- There are about a dozen varieties of fishtail palms, most of them native to tropical and subtropical India and Asia. The most common one in the trade is the Caryota mitis, which is likely the only one you'll find.
Grower's Tips
- Fishtail palms above all require adequate light indoors. Once you've taken care of that, it's a matter of keeping a steady supply of moisture and paying attention to their fertilizer needs. Fishtails occasionally develop deficiencies in magnesium, manganese, and iron. Symptoms are typically discolored or spotted leaves. The best solution is to fertilize regularly with a good fertilizer and p…