Needle Palm

The Needle Palm prefers to be kept consistently moist. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. For a more mature specimen, water once per week when the soil is dry on top. Use room temperature water to avoid shocking the roots. Always use tepid water and water until it runs freely through the drainage holes.

The Needle Palm does best in bright, filtered light. It can handle both full or partial sun exposure. In winter, the plant should be kept in bright, indirect light or a sunny spot. The leaves of the Needle Palm will burn if exposed to direct sun for too long, so it’s important to find an area with plenty of light but with some protection from the sun’s rays.

The Needle Palms do best in temperatures between 40 to 80 Fahrenheit (4-27 Celsius). To keep a low temperature, keep the plant in a bright, slightly cooler spot away from direct sunlight. During winter months, the temperature should be kept between 50-55 Fahrenheit (10-13 Celsius) and it should never fall below 40 Fahrenheit (4 Celsius).

Needle Palms prefer high humidity and they will do best when the humidity levels range between 40-60%. To provide the best climate for your Needle Palm, you can mist it weekly or provide a humidifier. One easy way to increase the humidity in the air is to place an indoor fountain near the plant.

The Needle Palm prefers a well-draining potting mix that’s slightly acidic with a pH level of 6.5-7.5. To create the best mix for your palm, combine equal parts of sphagnum peat moss, perlite, and coarse river sand. You can add a slow-release, organic fertilizer to provide additional nutrients.

The Needle Palm should be fertilized twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Use a liquid fertilizer that is specifically made for palms and follow the instructions listed on the label. Be careful not to over-fertilize and always read the directions in order to get the best results.

The Needle Palm is usually resistant to common pests, however, it can still fall prey to mealybugs, scales, and some fungal diseases like brown spots and root rot. It can also suffer from overwatering, so be careful not to over water the plant. To get rid of pests, you can use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol and gently wipe the affected areas. To prevent fungal diseases, make sure the plant is in an area with good air circulation and allow for the top inch of soil to dry before watering again.

Every two years or so, it is recommended to repot the Needle Palm. The best time to repot is in the early spring season when the weather is still cool, though if you have had the plant for a while, it may need to be repotted in the fall season. When repotting, make sure to use a potting soil mix that is well draining and to place the plant in an area with enough space to accommodate its mature size.

The oldest fronds of the Needle Palm may become yellow and can be pruned at any time. Pruning is usually done in early spring or late fall. Make sure to use sharp garden shears and be sure to always trim away from the main trunk and other established fronds. Don't remove too many fronds at the same time as this can shock the plant.

Mulching is not necessary for the Needle Palm, but if you want to apply mulch, use a mix of pine needles, coconut coir, or compost. Mulch should only be applied around the base of the plant, and should not be stacked against the leaves or trunk.

The Needle Palm can be propagated by seed or by division. To propagate by seed, allow the seeds to dry on the plant before harvesting. To propagate by division, cut and separate the offsets from the parent plant with a sharp blade. Once the divisions are made, place them in small pots with a well-draining potting mix until they are well-established.

Due to its wide leaves, the Needle Palm may need extra support when grown in a pot. Place a plant stake into the pot at the time of planting and the plant will begin to attach itself to the stake as it grows.

This palm does not have a designated rest period, however, it's a good idea to slightly reduce watering in the winter months to prevent overwatering during the dormancy of the plant.

No, the Needle Palm is not toxic to pets.