If you’re growing a Windmill Palm in a container, you’ll need to give it a new home every few years. Without fresh soil and enough room to stretch its roots, your plant’s growth will really start to stall. Here’s everything you need to know to get the job done right!
Repotting in the Spring
The absolute best time to repot your Windmill Palm is right after it finishes its winter dormancy. As a general rule of thumb, you should wait at least two or three years between repottings. If it’s been five years, you’re definitely overdue!
You should also keep an eye out for “cues” from the plant. If you see roots poking out of the top of the soil or creeping out of the drainage holes at the bottom, it’s time for a bigger pot. Aim to get this done in February or March for the best results.
- Getting the Plant Out of Its Old Pot
Since Windmill Palms can get pretty hefty, sliding them out of their old container isn’t always a one-person job. Grab a friend to hold the pot steady while you gently pull the plant out. Once it’s free, shake off the old, tired soil from the root ball and use a clean pair of shears to snip away any dead or mushy roots.
Choosing the Right Container
When picking out a new pot, don’t go overboard. You want something about 4 inches (10 cm) wider than the old one. If the pot is too massive, the palm will focus all its energy on growing roots to fill the space instead of pushing out beautiful new fronds. Here’s how to prep the new home:
- Start with a 1- to 2-inch drainage layer of gravel or broken terracotta shards at the bottom.
- Use a sandy-loam potting mix as your base.
- The soil should be nutrient-rich, slightly acidic, and can contain a bit of peat.
- Mix in some quartz sand to keep the texture loose and airy.
Once it’s settled in, hold off on fertilizing until you see new leaves starting to sprout. In the meantime, just make sure to keep it regularly watered!
