Palm trees add a lush, tropical accent to your yard, and they generally grow easily in areas where it doesn’t normally freeze. The application of a good-quality fertilizer gives these trees a boost and helps them to be at their best throughout the year. Palms that are properly fertilized grow better than those that aren’t, plus they tend to be healthier and more attractive. You can obtain fertilizer for palm trees in liquid or solid form.
The preferred formula for palm tree fertilizer is either an 8-2-12+4 blend, or a 12-4-12+4 mix. These numbers indicate that every 100 pounds of the fertilizer contains 8 (or 12 in the second example) pounds of nitrogen, 2 (or 4 in the second example) pounds of phosphorous, 12 pounds of potassium and 4 pounds of magnesium. The nitrogen, potassium and magnesium should all be in a slow-release form if they are to benefit the trees. The fertilizer should also contain certain essential micronutrients: manganese, iron, boron, zinc and copper.
Apply fertilizer three times during the growing season, with the first application typically being in April and the final one no later than August. Spread it over the main root zone of the tree, which is usually approximately the same as the tree canopy area. If the palm is in a pot, apply fertilizer over the entire surface of the soil. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for mixing and applying, and then water the tree well to move the fertilizer from the surface of the soil down to where it reaches the roots.
Symptoms of Deficiencies
Watch for signs of nutritional deficiencies in palm trees and consider having the soil tested if symptoms appear. A nitrogen deficiency causes yellowish leaves with dead spots on them, and the plant will either grow slowly or not at all. If the palms are not getting enough magnesium they will be very yellow but the veins will remain green, while a lack of potassium generally reveals itself when the older leaves on the tree begin to have dead or dying patches on them. Leaves that come in too small, appear crinkled or show streaks may be the result of not enough iron, manganese or boron.
Liquid fertilizers are not necessarily the best choice for feeding palm trees, because the liquid typically does not feed the tree for as long as granular fertilizer does. Palms may require more frequent feedings if they are fed liquid fertilizers exclusively. Never feed palms turf grass fertilizer, since this may result in a nutritional imbalance that can kill the tree. Very large palms can benefit from substantial amounts of fertilizer, and some, such as the queen palm and the Canary Island date palm, can also benefit from an application of blood meal while they are growing.
- University of Florida Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center: Nutrition & Fertilization of Landscape Palms and Plants
- University of California Master Gardeners: Palm Trees for Landscapes in Tulare & Kings Counties
- Clemson Cooperative Extension: Palms & Cycads
- Learn2Grow: Paradise Found: Creating a Tropical Oasis
- University of Florida IFAS Extension: Fertilization of Field-grown and Landscape Palms
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