Indoor palms are famous for being pretty chill roommates. Since they’re slow growers, you won’t find yourself constantly switching out their pots. However, here’s a pro tip: give your palm a new home right after you buy it. You never know how long it’s been sitting in that cramped nursery pot, and usually, they’re already bursting at the seams by the time you get them home.
When is it time to repot?
Your palm will definitely let you know when it’s feeling claustrophobic. Keep an eye out for roots poking through the drainage holes at the bottom or pushing the plant up out of the soil at the top. If you see that, it’s time to act!
Otherwise, you’re usually looking at a repotting session every three to five years. The sweet spot for this is late April or early May, just as the plants are waking up from their winter nap. But hey, if your palm outgrows its pot in the middle of the year, don’t sweat it—you can repot it then, too.
How to repot like a pro
Ready to give your palm some breathing room? Just follow these steps:
- Pick a new pot that’s at least 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter than the old one.
- Make sure the pot is sturdy and heavy enough so your palm doesn’t tip over if there’s a breeze.
- Double-check that there’s a drainage hole at the bottom.
- Start with a drainage layer. This keeps the roots from clogging the hole and prevents “wet feet.” Expanded clay pebbles or coarse gravel work great for this.
- Gently slide the plant out of its old container.
- Shake off as much of the old, tired soil as you can.
- Give the root ball a good soak in water.
- Trim away any mushy or rotten roots with clean shears.
- Add some fresh soil over your drainage layer and set the palm in the center.
- Fill the rest of the pot with soil, pressing down firmly as you go to get rid of air pockets.
- Keep your palm out of direct sunlight for about two weeks while it settles into its new home.
DIY Palm Soil
Commercial palm soil can be surprisingly pricey. Save some cash and make your own at home! Just mix equal parts high-quality potting soil, garden soil, and mature compost. For the finishing touch, mix in about 10% quartz sand. The silicates in the sand are like a vitamin boost that encourages your palm to put out lush new growth.
