Like most palms, the Windmill Palm isn’t exactly a speed demon when it comes to growing. It takes years for a young plant to mature, and even longer to reach its full, majestic height. If you’ve noticed your palm has hit a bit of a standstill, there could be a few different culprits behind the scenes. Let’s dive into why your palm might be taking a break!
Common reasons your Windmill Palm has stopped growing
- Not enough light
- Dried-out root ball
- Waterlogging (soggy feet!)
- Nutrient deficiency
- Winter dormancy
- Transplant shock after repotting
How to give your Windmill Palm a growth boost
If your palm seems stuck, try going through this checklist step-by-step to get things moving again:
- Check the location. To push out new fronds, your Windmill Palm needs at least two hours of direct sunlight a day. During the summer, your palm will love being outside in the garden or on the patio. If your home is a bit too dark, you might want to look into getting some grow lights.
- Water your plant regularly so the root ball never completely dries out. A good rule of thumb is to water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Just make sure to empty any excess water from the saucer—palms hate sitting in stagnant water.
- Use fertilizer only during the active growing season, and be careful not to overdo it.
- Only transplant mature palms directly into the ground. Make sure the soil is nice and loose to ensure proper drainage.
Growth after repotting
Don’t panic if your Windmill Palm stops growing right after you’ve repotted it. Palms need a little “adjustment period” to get used to their new home. It can take a few months before you see any new movement. This is also true for palms planted outdoors in the yard. Rest assured, once it settles in, those new green fronds will start appearing again. Also, keep in mind that these palms naturally take a break and stop growing during the winter months.
