Basic Fan Palm Care
If you’re looking for an easy to care for tropical plant, then you’ve come to the right place. Fan Palms are one of the hardiest houseplants out there and are great for novice or busy plant parents. The great thing about them is that they love bright sunlight so thrive well in areas that might otherwise be too sunny for a lot of your other plants.
Below you will find our complete Fan Palm care guide with all the information and tips you need to help your Palm thrive.
Detailed Fan Palm Care
Fan Palms love direct sunlight
Although they can also grow in shadier areas of your home, Fan Palms prefer bright light. They can tolerate direct light too unlike many houseplants so you really don’t need to worry about too much sunlight
They need regular(ish) watering
You need to let the soil dry out between waterings, but Fan Palms usually need to be watered once a week in summer and less frequently in colder months.
Don’t worry about temperature or humidity
The reason Fan Palms are so easy to care for is that they will be okay with the natural temperature and humidity levels in your home.
Regular fertilisation will encourage growth
You can fertilise your Fan Palm throughout the year, using a palm-specific fertiliser. Keep the fertiliser weaker than the recommended amount to prevent damaging the root system.
Repot every few years
Don’t worry too much about repotting your Fan Palm as they are relatively slow growers. Every 2 or 3 years should be enough to prevent them from becoming too root-bound.
Propagate a Fan Palm by division
You can propagate your Fan Palm by splitting up the mother plant into several palms. Make sure that each individual plant has a strong part of the root system attached and repot them into separate containers.
Fan Palms are completely safe for pets and children
One great thing about Fan Palms is that they are non-toxic so you don’t need to worry about your cats, dogs or children going near it.
Fan Palm Care FAQs
Can the Fan Palm grow indoors?
Although we often associate Palms to the tropics, the Fan Palm is actually a great houseplant as it can thrive in a real range of environments.
How much light does a Fan Palm need?
Although they can also grow in shadier areas of your home, Fan Palms prefer bright light. They can tolerate direct light too unlike many houseplants so are gerat windowsill plants.
Is the Fan Palm easy to care for?
Fan Palms are great for beginner houseplants as they are very easy to care for and can adapt to a wide range of environments.
Are Fan Palms toxic to pets?
Luckily Fan Palms are safe and non-toxic so are perfect for every home.
How tall does a Fan Palm grow?
When grown indoors a Fan Palm can mature to about 6 feet (2 meters) with the right care and environment. However, when grown outdoors in their native environment, they can get to about 30 feet or more!
Common Issues for Fan Palms
Although these are hardy plants that are perfect for first-time houseplant parents, this doesn’t mean you won’t encounter some problems along the way.
Why are my Fan Palm's leaves drooping?
Drooping leaves and stems on a Fan Palm is an indication that it is not getting enough water. Check the moisture levels in the soil and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.
Why are there brown tips on my Fan Palm's leaves?
Dry brown tips on a Fan Palm’s leaves is a very common issue. It may be caused by underwatering or very dry air. We recommend checking the moisture in the soil to see if it needs more water and misting the leaves every few days.
Why are my Fan Palm's leaves turning yellow?
If you notice the lower leaves on your Fan Palm are turning yellow, then this may be simply due to natural ageing. However, if this is occurring on the upper leaves it signals nutrient deficiency. You can rectify this by using a palm-specific fertiliser.
