The graceful elegance of palm fronds waving in the breeze adds a touch of the tropical to any property. It’s no wonder that countless property owners add palm trees to their indoor and outdoor decor. However, most beginner plant hobbyists struggle to properly care for this persnickety decorative tree.
They often fail to keep them alive, let alone in mint condition. After purchasing a new palm tree, you’ll likely wonder, “How much water do palm trees need?” As Folsom’s trusted tree service company, Ace Tree Service provides some solid answers.
A Palm Tree’s Preferred Habitat
If you want to help your newly purchased plant thrive, you should recreate its natural environment as closely as possible. Palm trees absolutely love locations with full sun and gritty, well-draining soil. These conditions trick many people into believing that their palms enjoy dry, arid environments.
However, the opposite is true. Palm’s are tropical and subtropical. Thus, they need a humid environment coupled with frequent watering to thrive.
How Much Water Do Palm Trees Need?
So, how much water do palm trees need? They need enough water to keep their well-draining soil sufficiently moist for starters. Give potted or indoor palm trees one gallon of water for every five-gallon container. For example, a palm in a 20-gallon container needs four gallons of water.
Palms planted outdoors are a little more difficult to anticipate. You want to avoid water stagnating or making the surrounding soil sopping wet for long periods. Overwatering causes root rot, which kills plants much more quickly than underwatering.
However, you should aim to maintain consistently moist soil around the base of the trunk. Your watering practices should depend on your local weather patterns and temperatures. Check the soil regularly for dryness and respond accordingly.
How to Water Palm Trees
Although there are no exact water requirements for any individual plant, there are guidelines that can help you develop the most conducive techniques for your plants. While palm trees thrive with high moisture levels and plentiful fresh water, they still have periods where excess water could kill them.
Growing Season
The growing season stretches from early spring to early autumn. Palm trees actively grow during these seasons. Therefore, they require plenty of fresh water to fuel their growth.
Use caution when watering during early spring and autumn. These seasons may bring plentiful rain, cloudy weather, and cooler temperatures. Always test the soil’s moisture levels to prevent overwatering.
The weather patterns regulate and temperatures rise from late spring throughout summer. Outdoor palms may need water twice a day: once in the early morning and again in the late afternoon. The soil’s moisture evaporates quickly which can lead to struggling, dried-out palm trees.
For indoor palm trees, check the soil’s dampness before watering by sticking a finger into the top inch or two. If the soil feels lightly moist, water in the morning. If the soil feels damp or sticks to your finger, wait before watering again.
Dormant Season
From late autumn to early winter, your palm tree will go dormant and therefore require less water to survive. Check the soil to gauge whether or not it holds moisture. Many palms need water two to three times per week during cool seasons.
Ace Tree Service Treats Your Trees Right
“How much water do palm trees need?” We hope this information helps you nurture thriving, gorgeous palm trees in your home or yard! At Ace Tree Service, our tree experts use their expertise on niche topics like palm tree skinning to help your trees thrive. Get a free service quote from tree experts who care at (916) 934-3204.