Do you know where to place a palm tree? This is a question that seems to have an easy, simple answer, but… in reality it is not so simple, for the simple reason that some are sunny, others are shady; and some can withstand freezing temperatures, but many cannot.
For this reason, we want to explain to you in detail where you should place your plant so that it grows in good conditions.
How do you know if a palm tree is indoor (tropical) or outdoor?
Image – Wikimedia/Pluume321
The truth is that The best way to find out is to go to a nursery relatively close to home and see if they have that palm tree we love in a greenhouse. (or inside), in which case we would speak of one that does not resist the cold and must therefore be inside the house; or abroad.
But of course, here we would still have a problem, because there are more than 3,000 described species of palms in the world, and a high percentage of them are sold, but not in physical nurseries, but in online stores. line. But we won’t have to worry, because In general, these same web pages indicate the lowest temperature that each supportsand based on that, we can place it where it will be best.
Is there a way to know if a palm tree is tropical – and therefore indoor – without having to consult someone? Well, I’ve been collecting palm trees since 2006 and yes, I can say that tropical and subtropical species tend to have softer leaves than those that can withstand the cold. For example, those of the Dypsis lutescens (wrongly called areca) are much softer than those of the date palm (phoenix dactylifera).
Another thing we can see is that chilly palms only grow when spring really comes, and will stop growing as soon as the coolness returns and temperatures drop below 15°C. But this can only be known for sure if you already have experience in their cultivation.
How do you know if it’s sunny or shady?
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Are the palms sunny or shady?
This question is also complicated. As per usual, the leaves of palm trees that grow in the shade are much more tender than those that grow in the sun. This can be seen, for example, in the Phoenix or the Washingtonia, which are two genera whose species grow exposed to the king sun; On the other hand, the Chamaedorea or the Calamus are much more fragile, since they are always in the shade.
In any event, There are exceptions. Una Archontophenix, por ejemplo, que necesita sombra de joven tendrá las hojas tiernas, quizás algo más duras cuando crezca y se vaya acostumbrando a la exposición directa del sol, pero nunca las tendrá tan duras como las Phoenix o cualquier otra que crezca al sol desde the beginning. The same happens with Howea and Rhopalostylis.
Where to put a newly purchased palm?
The question may arise whether we should put it outside or inside. And good, the answer to this question will very much depend on where and how they got it in the nursery; that is, if it was in a covered place, we already know that it can’t get direct sun and probably can’t stand the cold, that’s why it was kept at indoors (and I say “probably” because, for example, the Howea (kentia) is recommended as an indoor palm in areas where it could be outdoors, such as in many parts of the Mediterranean, because it tolerates cold and mild frosts).
Now you have to be careful with this because Even though you don’t have to give it direct light, that doesn’t mean you can be in dimly lit rooms.; rather, the opposite happens: it will be very important that it be placed in a place where there is a lot, a lot of light, because otherwise its leaves will lose their color and, therefore, their health.
But if, on the other hand, it was outdoors and in a sunny place, then we will have to expose it to direct sunlight. Such would be the case of Phoenix, Washingtonia, Chamaerops, Nannorhops, Syagrus, Butia and many others. All of these need direct sunlight from day one, unless they have been kept in the shade; in this case, and only in this case, they will be placed in partial shade and will slowly and gradually get used to the direct sun.
How to choose the best place where we are going to place it?
Besides being clear if a palm tree is in sun or shade, there are other things that need to be considered when finding the best location for it, such as these:
- You don’t have to mount it on the wall. Whether you are at home or away, the sheets should not rub against the wall, otherwise they will break and dry out.
- Watch out for drafts inside. Leaves will dry out if you hit them with air conditioning, fans, heaters, etc., so avoid placing plants near these devices.
- If possible, it will be better to plant it in the ground rather than leaving it in a pot.. Although there are many species that can be grown in pots throughout their lives, such as the Chamaedorea, if the climate suits them and you have a garden, it will be best to plant them in them so that they grow and are getting stronger. more naturally and at your own pace.
- Would you like his trunk to lean a little? So plant it close to the wall, but I insist: close, not attached. Ideally, it should be at least a meter away from it.
- If you have a palm tree that needs shade when young but sun when maturelike the Archontophoenix or the Howea, it is interesting to put them in the shade of a plant larger than it at that time, but which will perhaps be overtaken by the palm tree in a few years. For example, I put a Archonphoenix maxima 1 meter high in the shade of a Enset ventricosum which at the time measured about 3 meters. Now the palm has grown a lot, measuring just over 2 meters, but since it was able to gradually expose itself to the sun, it does not burn its leaves.
So, I hope you can choose the best place for your palm tree.