Lady Palm

Lady Palms have moderate watering needs and can go longer between drinks than some other houseplants. The best way to water these plants is to apply enough water so that it reaches the bottom of the container and ensure that the potting medium is evenly moist. About once a month flush the soil with rain or distilled water to remove the accumulation of salts from the fertilizer that can be harmful to the plant. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out between watering sessions.

Lady Palms like bright, indirect light throughout the day. They will also be quite tolerant of lower light conditions, and can even be placed in almost direct, bright light. Never place in full sun indoors, as the burning rays will damage the delicate fronds. Excessively bright light will reduce the leaves’ size and color, leaving you with a rather lacklustre plant.

Lady palms prefer mild temperatures between 65-80°F (18-26°C) during the day and no colder than 55°F (13°C) at night. During colder winter months, use a humidifier and mist plant leaves on occasions to boost the level of humidity in the air and ensure that the plant does not suffer from cold, dry air.

These plants are native to subtropical and tropical climates and appreciate higher levels of humidity. They prefer 60-70% humidity, though can be just as happy in standard household humidity levels. To increase humidity use a pebble tray filled with water or use a humidifier.

Lady Palms prefer light, well-drained soil. Keep soil loose to allow good root growth and aeration. An all purpose, peat based potting mix should be suitable for your Lady Palm.

Fertilize your Lady Palm during the growing season. Use a common all-purpose liquid fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength. Feed biweekly using the fertilizer solution – could be accelerated up to once every week during warm, active growth. Avoid over-fertilizing the plant otherwise you can do more harm than good to your Lady Palm.

Lady Palms are generally trouble-free in terms of pests and diseases, but may still be subject to spider mites, mealybugs, thrips, and scale insects. Inspect your plant carefully and remove any bits of pests you find off the leaves with a damp cloth. For severe infestations, use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil to reduce the population of bugs on your Lady Palm. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Lady Palms should be repotted every two years to replace the potting medium, as this helps boost the nutrient supply to the plant. If the plant is rootbound and there is no room for additional soil, consider getting a larger pot. Repot during the spring for the best chance of success.

Lady Palms require minimal pruning, prune only as needed to remove yellow or damaged leaves. Pruning should only be done if absolutely necessary, as pruning will reduce the rate of growth and may also remove additional greenery from the palm.

Mulching is a great way to retain moisture at the root level and restrict weeds. Use organic matter such as chopped bark, wood chips, and cocoa bean husks to mulch around the Lady Palm.

Lady Palms can be propagated by division of clusters. This should only be done when repotting the palm. To do this, carefully remove the palm from its container and prune off the entire cluster. Separate the fan-like leaves and pot each segment in its own container. Place the new pots in bright, indirect light and water on a regular basis.

All Lady Palms should have support, as the dense foliage is prone to breaking. Stakes should be positioned in the pot before planting and gently secured into place with plant ties.

Lady Palms require a dormant period, during which the leaves may turn yellow. During this period, the plant should be watered less and moved to a cooler environment. It is best to keep this period as short as possible.

Lady Palms are considered to be non-toxic to both cats and dogs.