Palm trees exude Mediterranean flair and, due to their interesting growth and biodiversity, are extremely popular indoor plants. If you own a particularly beautiful or rare specimen, you often want to multiply it. Depending on the species, this even works relatively well.
Depending on the type of palm tree, it can be propagated by cuttings or seeds
propagation by seed
Whether the attempt is crowned with success depends heavily on the type of palm tree. Some palm trees don't grow very quickly, but others need up to a year until a new plant develops from the seed.
You need a little patience for the experiment:
- Palm seeds, which you can get from palm growers or specialist shops.
- A container filled with potting soil.
- A warm, bright spot on the windowsill.
Then do the following:
- Soak seeds in water for a few days.
- Because of the long germination time, place them in a guaranteed pest-free substrate such as Perlite (€37.51) or Koko-Hum.
- Put the very large coconuts in a large pot with the three sprouting points down, so that the top half protrudes from the substrate.
- Put a clear plastic bag over the plant pot.
- Keep well moist and air daily to prevent mold and rot.
- Put in a very warm place. Palm trees that thrive in cooler regions will also germinate at room temperature, while tropical species require significantly warmer temperatures.
Propagating palm trees by side shoots
This only works with very few species, namely those that form lateral rungs. If they have four fronds of their own, you can cut them off with a sharp knife in the spring and place them in a small pot filled with palm soil.
Cover the offshoots with a plastic bag to create a greenhouse climate and place the small palm in a bright, warm spot that is not in full sun. The optimal temperature is around 22 degrees. Don't forget to air it every day.
As soon as the little palm fronds again, you will know that your efforts have been successful. Roots have formed and the plastic bag can be removed.
sharing palms
Many indoor and garden plants can be propagated with this method. Unfortunately, this is not the case with palm trees, as only one main shoot grows out of the root ball. Above the trunk, which is formed by the dead and fallen leaves, is the heart of the palm tree with the crested fan or pinnate leaves that give the plants their characteristic appearance.
Even cuttings cannot be cut from the palm tree and attempts to propagate the plant in this way are unfortunately pointless.
tips
You can also obtain seeds yourself as palm fruits, for example from dates offered for consumption. Another good way to get seeds is on vacation. Collect fallen fruit and collect the seeds to plant in soil at home.