Palm Tree Care and Maintenance Advice
Palm trees are becoming increasingly popular here in the UK and these exciting plants make a bold impact on a garden. Adding a tropical touch to urban gardens, these are surprisingly hardy plants and can be planted individually or as a centrepiece for a tropical style garden. As with all plants proper selection and consideration for garden conditions is obligatory. However cultivars like Yucca Rostrata (Blue Yucca) and Butia Capitata (Jelly Palm) have an H5 rating and will prosper in most areas.
Palm trees are easy to care for and won’t demand much of your time to keep them healthy. Simply provide sunlight, healthy soil, ample nutrients, proper amount of water, and your palm tree will flourish.
When to Plant
Hardy palms can be planted at any time of the year, but ideally should be done during spring and summer.That way the palms get 5 to 6 months to grow strong before the first frost.The first winter is the most stressful period for a newly planted palm tree. Although they can be transplanted any time of the year, when the soil temperatures are on the increase.
Where to Plant
Palm trees thrive best when planted in a sunny yet sheltered spot in your garden. Although they are hardy and can withstand the strong winds common in the UK climate, it’s still advisable to plant them in a protected area to minimize any unnecessary strain on the tree.
Palm Tree Planting Advice
Ground Planting
Plant Spacing
It is recommended to plant palm trees on somewhat level ground and make sure to keep a safe distance between buildings, fences or any structure. Keep in mind they will grow larger, so space 6m (20ft) apart from other trees for larger varieties to allow for canopy size and use a planting line if you are planting an avenue. For smaller cultivars like Yucca Filamantosa make sure to allow for sideways spread.
Aim to plant your tree soon after delivery. If there’s a delay between delivery and planting, ensure the tree’s root ball stays moist but not waterlogged.
Ground Preparation
1. Dig a hole twice the size as the pot that your palm tree was purchased in.
2. Backfill the planting hole with a 50/50 blend of native soil and fresh, new multi-purpose compost and mix in some slow-release fertilizer.
3. Line the bottom 15cm (6in) with Horticultural Silver Sand to improve drainage.
Day of Planting
1. Remove the palm from the shipping container. Palm roots have delicate, hair like feeder roots so be gentle when removing the rootball and keep it intact.
2. Ease the palm into position with the rootball 1 or 2 inches (2.5 or 5 cm) below ground level. Make sure the tree is plumb and vertical.
3. Backfill the hole so that it is barely covering the crown and watering periodically.
4. Build a soil barrier like a dam or a berm around the outside of the hole to retain water.
5. For a tree over 200cm (6.5ft) apply a brace or staking to keep the tree upright during windy conditions.
6. Cover the planting area with 5-8cm (2-3in) of Mulching to deter weeds and retain moisture, but do not let the mulch directly touch the base of the palm.
7. Water thoroughly afterwards, but do not waterlog. Water every day for the first week and every 2-3 days for the next two weeks.
Growing Palm Trees in Containers
To grow a palm in a container, opt for slow-growing, low-maintenance varieties. These hardy plants should be placed in a large pot, as even miniature palm trees can grow tall. Choose a planter big enough to accommodate the palm’s growth for the next two to four years.
After that period, transplant the palm into a larger container. Make sure the species you choose is drought-tolerant to handle the limited moisture available in a container.
Location
Most palm tree species need plenty of sunlight. Position your palm near a window that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. Many people move their potted palms outdoors during the summer to ensure they get enough light and warmth. However, in the UK, be sure to bring your potted palm inside during periods of heavy rain.
For most palm trees, insufficient light is the biggest factor contributing to slow growth. To keep your palm healthy, provide as much direct sunlight as possible.
Choose the right pot
Selecting the right pot allows youto create an optimal environment for your palm’s growth and health. Choose a pot that is large enough to accommodate the palm’s root system and allows for growth. A pot that’s too small can restrict root development and stunt the plant’s growth.
Ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating at the bottom, which can lead to root rot.
Choose a pot with a wide base rather than a narrow one to provide stability for the palm’s potentially tall and top-heavy growth.
Soil
Use a high-quality potting mix designed for container plants. Look for one that is loose, aerated, and drains well.
Consider a mix formulated for palms or tropical plants if available, as these often contain additional nutrients and components tailored to their needs.
Adding a layer of gravel or small stones at the bottom of the pot can help improve drainage by preventing soil from clogging the drainage holes.
Container Planting
1. Choose a snug-fitting pot that isn’t too tight. Palms prefer their roots to be somewhat confined. Select a container that’s slightly larger than the nursery pot the palm came in.
2. Fill the bottom with 2.5 or 5 cm of Horticultural Gravel for drainage, but make sure to cover the gravel with soil so the rootball does not directly touch it. Test the level by setting the palm in the pot. The rootball surface should be 3cm or so below the pot rim.
3. Remove the palm from its growing pot and set the plant centrally in the container.
4. Backfill around the rootball with a 1-1 mixture of Horticultural Silver Sand and Planting Compost firming down in stages until the rootball is slightly covered.
5. Water thoroughly afterwards, but do not waterlog. Water every day for the first week and every 2-3 days for the next two weeks.
6. Top dress with a decorative layer of gravel.
Some hardy palms will survive winters in much of lowland Britain in sheltered gardens with favourable local conditions. However, plants that are in exposed positions, in containers or wet at the roots will be more liable to winter damage.
Majority of our palm tree range have a lowest temperature tolerance of: -15 °C to -10 °C.
However, the palms below don’t have a low temperature tolerance therefore it’s important to winterise them:
1. Cordyline Australis Atropurpurea
2. Cordyline Australis ‘Red Star’ (New Zealand Cabbage Tree)
3. Mexican Fan Palm / Skyduster (WashingtoniaRobusta)
4. Sago Palm / Cycad (Cycas Revoluta)
5. Mexican Grass Tree (DasylirionLongissimum)
6. Phoenix Dactylifera (Date Palm)
7. Mexican Blue Palm (Brahea Armata)
As autumn sets in and temperatures drop, palms need warmth and protection. For potted palms, relocating them to a greenhouse or conservatory offers refuge from winter’s harsh winds and rain. 
If this isn’t possible, bringing them indoors is another option.
During winter avoid overwatering. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. While palm fronds may yellow during the colder months, they will usually regain their natural green colour by spring or summer.
Before the first snowfall, typically by mid-December in the UK, tie up the palm’s leaves to protect the crown. This helps prevent rain and snow from accumulating in the centre, which can be dangerous if it freezes. Clear any debris from the plant’s core before tying it up. Cold weather and wind can cause dehydration, so consider wrapping the palm in horticultural fleece.
For palms planted in the ground, ensure proper drainage and use the same wrapping technique for protection. Keep in mind that these methods are not foolproof, and extremely low temperatures may still cause freezing. The more mature and established your palm is, the better its chances of surviving the winter with minimal protection.
These methods can provide valuable protection, but they do not guarantee full safety from severe winter conditions. Any fronds damaged by winter winds can be trimmed back in the spring to encourage new growth.
Palm Tree Trimming Advice
Unlike other trees, palms should not be pruned in the traditional sense. However, you can remove dead fronds, old fruits, and stems, ideally in early spring. It’s also possible to trim back overgrown or unsightly leaves. When cutting fronds, be careful to protect the bark and avoid exposing the underlying layers.
Apply fertilizer a week before removing yellowing leaves, and use the proper tools to prevent accidents or damage to the bark. Make sure to cleanly cut off yellow or brown fronds at the base of the stem.
Palm Tree Watering Advice
Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. Whether your palms are in garden beds or containers, use the finger-test to check the soil to a depth of a few inches before each watering. 
Over time, you’ll get a sense of when your palms need water. If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water. If it’s still moist, hold off on watering.
Water your newly planted palm tree daily for the first 10 to 14 days. After that, you can reduce the frequency to every other day, and then to 3-4 times per week.
Here’s a guideline to follow when watering your palm trees. For a 35-liter palm tree, around 5 liters of water should be sufficient. If it’s a 95-literpalm, then 19 liters of water will be enough.
During the peak of summer, you can double this amount and water every other day, or even daily.
During winter, palms may not need watering as they enter a dormant period, but they can die if they dry out completely. While this is rare in winter, it’s important to check the soil, especially during cold, dry winds, as palms may occasionally need water during long rainless periods.
Palm Tree Fertilising Advice
Nutrients are quickly leached out of sandy soils, especially in areas with heavy seasonal rains. In such regions, palm trees can become severely deficient in certain nutrients, leading to various problems that impact their overall health and appearance.
Newly planted palms should not be fertilized until they produce a new spear. In general, avoid fertilizing them for the first six months after planting.
Palm fertilizer should be applied up to three times per year. We recommend applications in April, July and September. Be sure to only fertilize during the growing season (end of March through end of October).
Cease fertilization two months prior to the average first frost date in your area.
Pest & Diseases
Palm Leaf Spot
Palms often suffer from various leaf-spotting fungi, causing circular or elongated brown spots that may appear oily.
Prevention & Treatment: Avoid wetting palm foliage during watering. Early intervention is key for effective treatment and recovery. Prune all affected palm fronds, even if they have just a few spots. For widespread or severe cases, apply a copper fungicide spray. Follow label directions for application rates and intervals.
Fusarium wilt
Fusarium wilt is a soil-borne fungal disease that blocks the plant’s water-carrying leading to yellowing of leaves, stunted growth, and eventual death.
Prevention & Treatment:It is important to avoid overwatering and to maintain well-draining soil to prevent conditions that favour fungal growth.
If a palm is infected, the best course of action is to remove and discard the affected plant to prevent further spread.Improving
soil drainage is also essential, as it helps reduce moisture that encourages fungal growth. While fungicides may offer some help, they are generally not very effective once the disease has established.
Palm Bud Rots
Palm Tree Bud Rot
Caused by bacterial or fungal pathogens often appear after heavy rains. Initial signs include wilting and colour changes in the spear leaf, which then spread to younger leaves. If your palm’s canopy is high and out of sight, you might first notice a lack of new crown growth. As the disease progresses, young fronds and buds may develop black lesions, become slimy with a foul odour, and the spear leaf can be easily detached from the bud.
Treatment&Prevention: measures include ensuring good drainage to avoid waterlogged conditions that favour fungal growth, monitoring palms regularly for early signs of disease, and applying preventative fungicides, especially after heavy rains.
There is no cure once the disease is established, remove and destroy your plant. For remaining palms that show no symptoms, applying a copper fungicide can help protect them from infection.
Problems Palm Trees Encounter
Leaves with brown, dried tips:
Insert your finger into the soil up to a few inches deep; if the topsoil feels dry, it’s time to water.
For underwatered palms, continue watering until the moisture reaches the root zone, which is where the roots absorb water and nutrients. Stop when the soil is moist several inches below the surface.
If the palm is overwatered, especially after rain, hold off on watering for a week or two.
Yellowing Leaves
Some yellowing of the lower leaves is normal and occurs as part of the natural aging process.
However, if multiple leaves are severely yellowing, it may be a sign of underwatering.