Palm trees come from the subtropical and tropical regions of the world and have been populating the earth for about 70 million years. Today, the exotic plants are often cultivated as houseplants. In order for them to grow healthy and strong, regular fertilization is essential. In our guide you can find out which palm fertilizer is best suited and what else you need to pay attention to.

Palm trees also need fertilizer

Our recommendations

our recommendation
Compo green plant and palm fertilizer for all indoor, balcony and patio plants, special liquid fertilizer with extra potassium and iron, 1 liter
8.99 EUR To the product
quantity / packaging 1 liter
fertilizer type mineral
fertilizer form fluid
NPK composition 7+3+6, with potassium and iron
ingredients purely mineral
price/ml approx. EUR {PRICE/1000}

The Compo green plant and palm fertilizer has a very high nitrogen content of seven percent, and the liquid fertilizer also contains an extra portion of potassium and iron. With this composition, the purely mineral fertilizer is not only suitable for palm trees, but also for all other plants with a high nitrogen requirement. This includes many popular indoor plants or tub plants for balconies and terraces such as banana plants, spathiphyllum (single leaf), monstera, anthurium (flamingo flower) and many others. Even ornamental plants in the garden can be supplied with this compo fertilizer, as long as they are soil cultures. The fertilizer is dosed too heavily for hydroponics and is therefore not suitable.

our recommendation
GREEN24 Palm Fertilizer Professional Line Fertilizer for Palm Trees Root Fertilizer + Foliar Fertilizer HIGH-TECH!
EUR 8.95 To the product
quantity / packaging 250 milliliters
fertilizer type mineral
fertilizer form fluid
NPK composition 8,5+6+9
ingredients purely mineral
price/ml approx. EUR {PRICE/250}

This mineral palm fertilizer from the professional line of the manufacturer Green24 scores with a particularly high proportion of nitrogen and potassium. This guarantees fast and vigorous growth of all types of palm trees, after all, this group of plants has a high requirement for the nutrients mentioned due to the large leaves. These are immediately available for the plant, and you can use the concentrate both as a root and foliar fertilizer. For the latter use, dilute the agent according to the manufacturer's instructions and then spray it directly onto the palm leaves. The Green 24 palm fertilizer is also very suitable for other green plants with a high nitrogen requirement. It is only dosed too high for hydroponics or bonsai.

our recommendation
Dehner palm fertilizer, liquid, 500 ml, for approx. 100 l
6.99 EUR To the product
quantity / packaging 500 milliliters
fertilizer type mineral
fertilizer form fluid
NPK composition 6+6+4
ingredients purely mineral
price/ml about {PRICE/500} EUR

Inexpensive and good: Palm trees and other exotic indoor and container plants grow healthy and strong if they are regularly supplied with Dehner palm fertilizer. However, make sure that it is a nitrogen-rich fertilizer that can only be used for non-flowering tropical plants with large leaves - these usually have a high nitrogen requirement. It is a mineral concentrate that must be diluted with the irrigation water. Due to the yield of the product, you gain up to 200 liters of fertilizer with the 500 milliliter bottle.

Purchase Criteria

scope of application

Indoor / houseplants: Palms are mostly cultivated as houseplants, as most species are not hardy in our latitudes. Due to the composition of many palm fertilizers, you can use them for potted palms, but also for other green plants. Popular, non-flowering houseplants with large leaves also benefit from fertilization.

Outdoor / garden plants: The same applies to hardy palms planted in the garden, such as the popular cannabis palm (Trachycarpus fortunei). These can also be supplied with a palm fertilizer, as can other green ornamental plants with a high nitrogen requirement. The fertilizer is usually not suitable for flowering plants due to the low phosphorus content.

Soil cultures / hydroponics: As a rule, palm fertilizers are designed for soil cultures and are therefore dosed too high for special hydroponics. If you want to fertilize hydroponics, you need a specially developed fertilizer.

fertilizer form

Solid fertilizer / granules: Palm fertilizer in granular or pellet form is easy and versatile to use. You can put the product directly into the planter (or in the case of planted palm trees into the planting hole) when planting or repotting, work it lightly into the substrate surface to fertilize (don't forget to water!) or dissolve it in the irrigation water and use it like liquid fertiliser.

liquid fertilizer: Liquid fertilizers are fertilizer concentrates that you apply diluted with the irrigation water. This is why these palm fertilizers are only available in smaller packages of 250, 500 or 1000 milliliters, but are often sufficient for many hundreds of liters of finished fertilizer. Liquid fertilizers are not only suitable for root, but also for foliar fertilization.

Fertilizer sticks (€4.48) / long-term fertilizer: In order for your palm trees to have an even supply of nutrients, you need to fertilize them regularly. With a slow-release fertilizer, you only need to fertilize every few months instead of weekly, so you can't forget about fertilizing, which is important for growth. Simply insert the practical fertilizer sticks into the substrate, where they take effect.

fertilizer type

mineral fertilizer: Mineral fertilizers are synthetic fertilizers that offer a very big advantage: the nutrients they contain are immediately available to the plants. However, you must follow the recommended dosage very closely, as an oversupply can quickly have unsightly consequences: the leaves of the affected palm trees turn brown and fall off, and growth also falters.

Organic Fertilizer: Organic fertilizers consist of purely organic ingredients such as guano (121.99€) (sea bird droppings) or other ingredients that can be of animal or plant origin. Organic fertilizers have a natural long-term effect, but they do not provide readily available nutrients.

Mineral-organic fertilizer: Mineral-organic palm fertilizers consist of both synthetic, mineral (e.g. rock flour) and organic components. They provide both fast-acting and slow-acting nutrients.

NPK composition

Plants with large leaves and vigorous growth - which includes most palm species - have high nitrogen requirements. For this reason, the palm fertilizer should contain at least six percent nitrogen, even more would be better. On the other hand, potassium, another main nutrient that is very important for palm trees, ensures healthy and strong leaves and shoots.

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frequently asked Questions

When and how often do I have to fertilize my palm trees?

If it is a mineral palm fertilizer, fertilize your palms once a week between March and October with the recommended dose. Planted palm trees are not given a reduced dose in winter, while potted palms are given a reduced dose once a month during the cold season. In the case of fertilizers with a long-term effect, on the other hand, fertilize once a month or once every three to six months, depending on the manufacturer's instructions.

Is the palm fertilizer also suitable for other plant species?

Of course, palm fertilizer can not only be used for a wide variety of palm species, but also for many other green plants. The condition, however, is that they have an equally high requirement for nitrogen and potassium. The palm fertilizer is very well suited for many indoor plants with large, green leaves (e.g. single leaf, flamingo flower, monstera, yucca, dragon tree) as well as for some ornamental plants in the garden. Bananas in particular can be well supplied with the palm fertilizer.

Can I use a different fertilizer for my palm trees?

You don't have to use any special fertilizer for your palm trees, a normal green plant or house plant fertilizer will usually do the trick. It is only important that the NPK composition is correct - nitrogen and potassium should be at least six percent, phosphorus at least three percent - and that the fertilizer contains iron.

How does foliar fertilization work?

Palm trees absorb nutrients not only through their roots, but also through their leaves. You can take advantage of this fact, for example when propagating cuttings. To do this, dissolve a liquid palm fertilizer in lukewarm water (if possible lime-free, otherwise there will be unsightly stains). Then fill the liquid into a spray bottle and spray all the palm leaves with it - from the top as well as from the bottom.

Can I also fertilize palm trees with coffee grounds?

In principle, you can also fertilize palm trees with dried coffee grounds. However, just fertilizing with this home remedy often leads to deficiency symptoms over time, and coffee also acidifies the plant substrate. Consequently, there is nothing wrong with the occasional use of coffee grounds as long as you administer rock flour (14.13€) at the same time. This prevents the pH from dropping.

equipment

palm soil

our recommendation
COMPO SANA green plant and palm soil with 12-week fertilizer for all indoor and balcony plants as well as palm trees and ferns, growing medium, 10 litres
6.49 EUR To the product

All plant species have special needs when it comes to the preferred composition of the plant substrate. Palm trees also grow and thrive better if they grow in a substrate that is tailored to them. This special soil contains everything palm trees need plus a 12-week starter fertilization. In addition, the plant substrate is suitable for all evergreen indoor plants and ferns.

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