Lady Palm plants have quickly turned into a mainstream success, winning over professionals along with indoor garden enthusiasts alike to become one of the most trendy houseplants readily available right now.
The Lady Palm belongs to the Palm group of plants. The scientific proper name for the widely labeled Lady Palm is Rhapis excelsa. The scientific name helps lots of people differentiate one plant from another in the Palm family.
Lady Palm plants thrive best with the conditions seen in the majority of houses and offices. Along with the proper light, amount of water and moisture, this plant can certainly live well too. These plants are an optimal pick for growing inside your home. Knowing the certain sunlight, water, temperature and humidity, this plant wants will probably let it develop into a healthy plant.
The right lighting for Lady Palm
Receiving the ideal lighting conditions will probably let this plant grow and stay healthy. Indirect bright light will probably let it prosper. A sunny window is one of the absolute best spots to find bright indirect light for houseplants such as this one. If possible, this plant will likely do best if it receives at minimum 6 hours of indirect bright sunlight each day.
It’s also most ideal to stay clear of direct sunlight – specifically during the course of the hot summer months – to minimize burning the plant. Also, too little light can impact your plant. Lady Palm plants not getting enough light will likely grow slower or drop leaves.
You’ll see that your plant will make an effort to grow towards the sunlight. You can occasionally rotate your Lady Palm plant pot about a quarter turn each week. Rotating weekly will let keep your plant looking full and in good shape. This small step also stops your plant from leaning towards the source of light. Focusing on the lighting needs to have for your plant can really help it prosper. It’s not a surprise that 60% of plant owners worry that their plants may not be receiving adequate sunlight.
How much water does the Lady Palm require?
Providing just the correct amount of water will go a long way to keeping your Lady Palm happy. Interestingly, Lady Palm plants want minimal water and favor to be dry. This means to only water sparingly when your plant seems like it needs water, every few weeks.
If in doubt about watering, it’s ideal to choose to wait. Your Lady Palm would typically choose to be underwatered vs. overwatered. When you do water your Lady Palm, be sure to provide it sufficient water to soak through the soil, mimicking a strong rainstorm. Filtered water is consistently best if it’s conveniently accessible to you. This will most likely keep your plant free from chemicals commonly found in drinking water.
Tips to avoid Lady Palm overwatering
You should stay clear of overwatering your Lady Palm. 90% of indoor plants that don’t last are caused by overwatering.
What can happen if you overwater your plant? You may draw in insects or fungal infections that could be fatal. What’s the best way to prevent overwatering? It’s best to wait until the top inch of soil is completely dry between waterings.
Also, planting your Lady Palm plant in a container that includes drainage holes and a dish will help excessive water efficiently drain out. By allowing excess water to go through the container, your Lady Palm roots will remain drier than if the water was sitting in the planter. Without proper drainage, your plant could experience insects and fungus as the roots sit in standing water.
How to avoid under watering Lady Palm plants
Underwatering your Lady Palm plant can also lead to decline. When the top inch of your plant’s soil is completely dry, it’s time to water. Your timing does not need to be exact, and your plant may be a bit flexible on timing. Look for visual signs of distress if your plant is dry and attempting to retain water. Dropping and discolored leaves are a definitely sign you may have forgotten to water your plant.
The most ideal temperature for Lady Palm
Like many houseplants, Lady Palm plants prefer average indoor temperatures. This makes them great plants for the home. If your region has seasonal changes in temperature, it’s better to stay clear of locations that might be susceptible to cool drafts or substantial heat. Your plant will remain healthy and grow if placed in an area that’s consistent year-round.
This means it’s best to avoid places like drafty windows or near doors used in the middle of cold months. Keeping your Lady Palm plant within a stable indoor temperature will probably keep it healthy and help it prosper.
Best moisture for Lady Palm
Lady Palm plants are members of the Palm family and like environments with regular humidity, making all of them optimal houseplants for homes. If the moisture in your home or office feels pleasant to you, your new plant can very likely do just fine.
How to manage humidity for Lady Palm plants
Because these plants want average humidity, it should not be challenging to make your office or home feel welcoming to your plant. If you live in a dry desert climate or have very cold winters, you may notice the moisture drop to a less than ideal range.
If this is the case, a low-cost spray bottle could be used to mist your plants routinely to keep the moisture up. Also, you might want to look at buying a humidifier to add cool mist to the air for your and your Lady Palm plant’s advantage.
A steady humidity level can encourage a stable growth environment to keep your plant healthy.
Should I fertilize my Lady Palm?
Fertilizing your Lady Palm may provide supplementary nutrients to help it grow stronger. It’s best to fertilize your plant at the beginning of the spring growth season. This will help your plant prepare to grow. It can even be a great opportunity to transplant your Lady Palm plant to a larger sized planter. Similarly, it could also be a terrific time to add in new, nutrient-rich soil to change out old or compacted dirt from the previous year.
Are Lady Palm plants safe for family pets?
The Lady Palm is non-toxic to cats and dogs and is typically regarded as pet-safe. Because of this, this plant might be a good one to go with if your pet has a tendency to bother your houseplants. Even still, positioning your Lady Palm out of reach will make sure your plant can grow without having the stress related to inquiring pets.
What to shop for in picking the ideal Lady Palm at the nursery
Think you can grow a fresh Lady Palm plant after checking out this care guide on PottedPlants.org? At your neighborhood plant nursery, you may manage to see small Lady Palm plants that are 7″-10″ in height to take home.
When picking out your Lady Palm plant, check the plant for any discolored leaves, pests in the soil, or other signs of damage. This check will ensure your plant is healthy and will prosper at home. Make sure you give your plant time to get used to its new home – remember, this is a major change for your new houseplant. Come back to review this resource, and along with any chance, you’ll have a healthy plant for years to come.