How to Grow Fishtail Palm - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

Fishtail palm is a species of tropical palm tree that is native to southeastern Asia and parts of India. It is a popular landscaping plant in many warm climate regions and its tall, slender trunk topped with a crown of long, fishtail-shaped leaves makes it a distinctive and eye-catching plant. The fishtail palm is a fast-growing tree and can reach up to 20 meters in height. It is also relatively drought-tolerant, making it a good choice for gardens in dry areas.

How to Grow Fishtail Palm - Plant Care & Tips

Alternative name

  • Caryota mitis
  • Caryota urens
  • Caryota obtusa
  • Dowtya pinnata
  • Ptychosperma macarthurii

Things to Know

  • The scientific name for the fishtail palm is Caryota urens.
  • The fishtail palm is a species of palm that is native to the Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia.
  • The fishtail palm gets its name from its distinctive leaflets which resemble the tail of a fish.
  • The fishtail palm is a fast-growing palm and can reach heights of up to 20m.
  • The fishtail palm is an important source of food and timber in many parts of its native range.
  • The fishtail palm is grown as an ornamental plant in many parts of the world.
  • The fishtail palm is known to be a troublesome weed in some parts of Australia.
  • The fishtail palm is the national tree of Bangladesh.
  • The fishtail palm is considered to be sacred in some Hindu traditions.
  • The fishtail palm is the state tree of Kerala in India.

How to Grow

  1. For fishtail palm, first step is to buying a small palm tree or plant.
  2. The second thing to do is finding the perfect location. It should be in an area with bright sunlight and well-drained soil.
  3. Once you have found the perfect spot, you can start planting your palm tree.
  4. After planting, water the tree regularly.
  5. Palm trees need a lot of fertilizer. So, make sure to apply it regularly.
  6. Pruning is also necessary to encourage growth.
  7. When the tree is big enough, you can start harvesting the fruits.
  8. To ensure a good yield, pollination has to be done manually.
  9. The last step is to enjoy your fresh and healthy fishtail palm fruits!

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, the fishtail palm need well-drained, sandy soil and full sun. It's also drought tolerant. It's not picky about soil pH, but it doesn't like wet feet. The roots are relatively shallow, so it's important not to overwater. If the soil is too heavy, it will hold too much water and the roots will rot.

Light requirement

Not too different with other palm trees, the fishtail palm requires full sun to partial sun in order to thrive. It's important to make sure that the tree gets enough sunlight so that it can grow properly. If the tree isn't getting enough sun, it might not grow as well and could even die.

Good Temperature

The temperature conditions that are best for the fishtail palm are those that are warm and humid. This palm does not do well in cool or cold weather conditions. It is best to keep this palm in an environment that is between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Humidity Aspect

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50% and higher. If the humidity falls below that, the leaves may start to brown and crisp. If you live in an area with low humidity, you may want to consider misting your plant or setting it on a pebble tray.

The Fertilizer

Discussing fertilizer, this kind of plant need high potassium for good growth. It's possible to use a fertilizer rich in potassium, or to give additional potassium by using a fishtail palm specific fertilizer. These plants are fast growers and need a lot of water and nutrients, so regular fertilization is essential. It's best to apply fertilizer every two weeks or so during the growing season. Fishtail palms are also fairly heavy feeders, so they'll benefit from being fertilized with a high-nitrogen fertilizer several times during the season.

Light requirement

Pruning a fishtail palm is a simple process that can be done with a sharp knife or pruning shears. The main thing to remember when pruning a fishtail palm is to avoid cutting into the main trunk of the plant. When pruning, make sure to remove any dead or dying leaves, as well as any branches that are rubbing against each other.

About Propagating

Propagation of the fishtail palm is typically done by division of an existing plant. This is done by digging up the plant and dividing the root ball into multiple sections. Each section should have at least one growing point. These sections can then be replanted in their own containers or in the ground.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate is slow to moderate. They prefer full sun but can also tolerate partial shade. They should be watered regularly and fertilized monthly during the growing season. They make a great addition to any tropical landscape.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are yellowing leaves, brown leaves, and fronds that droop. These problems are often caused by too much sun, too little sun, or too much water. If the leaves are yellowing, the plant is getting too much sun. If the leaves are brown, the plant is getting too little sun. If the fronds are drooping, the plant is getting too much water.

Tips on Growing

  • If you live in a cold climate, it's best to grow your fishtail palm in a pot so you can bring it indoors during the winter months.
  • Place your palm in a bright, sunny spot.
  • Water your palm regularly, making sure the soil stays moist but not soggy.
  • Feed your palm a high-quality palm fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
  • Trim off any dead or yellowing leaves as needed.
  • If you live in a hot climate, provide your palm with some afternoon shade to prevent leaf scorch.
  • In the winter, reduce watering and fertilizer to once every two or three weeks.
  • If you're growing your palm in a pot, repot it every two or three years, using a fresh potting mix.
  • outdoors, palms can be susceptible to damage from wind and storms. Be sure to provide some protection

Substitution

  • Rhopalostylis sapida (kou, kouki)
  • Rhopalostylis baueri
  • Rhopalostylis cheesemanii (Rhopalostylis sapida var. cheesemanii)
  • Rhopalostylis cosyra (nioi, fishtail palm, nioi palm)
  • Rhopalostylis orchidioides (purupuru kou, nioi palm)
  • Rhopalostylis cheeseman (Rhopalostylis sapida var. cheesemanii)
  • Rhopalostylis pericularis
  • Rhopalostylis appressa (ukiuki, kouki)
  • Rhopalostylis baueri var. rubriflora

Source:
Caryota mitis (Burmese fishtail palm, Clustering fishtail palm ...
Insights into the common fishtail palm - news.nus.edu.sg
Caryota mitis (Fishtail palm) - American University of Beirut

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Reviewed & Published by Richelle
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Trees Category