Where should a palm tree be placed?

Do you know where a palm tree should be placed? It is a question that seems to have an easy, simple answer, but... in reality it is not so simple, for the simple reason that there are some that are sunny, others that are shaded; and some can withstand freezing temperatures, but many cannot.

For this reason, we want to explain in detail where you have to put your plant so that it grows in good conditions.

How to know if a palm tree is indoor (tropical) or outdoor?

The truth is that The best way to find out is by going to a nursery that is relatively close to where we live, and see if they have that palm tree that we like in a greenhouse. (or indoors), in which case we would talk about one that does not resist the cold and therefore has to be inside the house; or abroad.

But of course, here we would still have a problem, because there are more than 3 species of palm trees described throughout the world, and a high percentage of them are sold, but not in physical nurseries, but in online stores. But we won't have to worry, because In general, these same web pages indicate the lowest temperature that each one supports, and based on this, we can place it where it will be best.

Is there any way to know if a palm tree is tropical -and therefore indoor- without having to consult someone? Well, I have been collecting palm trees since 2006 and yes, I can say that tropical and subtropical species tend to have more tender leaves than those that can withstand the cold. For example, those of the Dypsis lutescens (misnamed areca) are much more tender than those of the date (Phoenix dactylifera).

Another thing that can be seen is that cold-sensitive palms only grow when spring really arrives, and will stop growing as soon as the cool returns and temperatures drop again below 15ºC. But this can only be known for sure if you already have experience growing them.

How to know if it is sunny or shaded?

Related article:

Are palm trees sunny or shaded?

This question is also complicated. As usual, the leaves of the palm trees that grow in the shade are much more tender than those that grow in the sun. This can be seen, for example, in the Phoenix or Washingtonia, which are two genera whose species grow exposed to the king sun; On the other hand, the Chamaedorea or the Calamus have them much more fragile, since they are always in the shade.

Anyway, There are exceptions. An Archontophenix, for example, that needs shade when young will have tender leaves, perhaps a little harder when it grows and gets used to direct exposure to the sun, but it will never have them as hard as the Phoenix or any other that has grown in the sun since the beginning. The same thing happens with the Howea and the Rhopalostylis.

Where to put a newly purchased palm tree?

The question may arise as to whether we have to put it outside, or indoors. And good, the answer to that question will depend a lot on where and how they had it in the nursery; that is to say, if it was in a covered place, we already know that it cannot get direct sun and that it probably cannot bear the cold, which is why it was kept indoors (and I say "probably" because, for example, the Howea (Kentia) is recommended as an indoor palm in regions where it could be outdoors, such as in many parts of the Mediterranean, as it supports cold and mild frosts).

Now, you have to be careful with this because Even if you don't have to give it direct light, that doesn't mean you can be in rooms with little light.; rather, just the opposite occurs: it will be very important that it be placed in one where there is a lot, a lot of light, since otherwise its leaves will lose color and, therefore, also health.

However if, on the other hand, it was outside and in a sunny area, then we will have to expose it to direct sunlight. Such would be the case of the Phoenix, Washingtonia, Chamaerops, Nannorhops, Syagrus, butya and many others. All of these need direct sunlight from the first day, unless they have been kept in the shade; in this case, and only in this case, they will be placed in semi-shade and will slowly and gradually get used to direct sun.

How to choose the best place where we are going to place it?

In addition to being clear if a palm tree is in the sun or in the shade, there are other things that must be taken into account when finding the best place for it, such as these:

• You don't have to put it attached to the wall. Regardless of whether you will be at home or away, the sheets should not rub against the wall otherwise they will break and dry out.
• Beware of drafts indoors. The leaves dry out if you hit them with air conditioning, a fan, a radiator, etc., so you have to avoid putting the plants near these devices.
• Whenever possible, it will be preferable to plant it in the ground rather than leave it in a pot. While there are many species that can be grown in a pot for their entire lives, such as Chamaedorea, if the climate is suitable for them and if you have a garden, it will be preferable to plant them in it so that they grow and strengthen in a more natural way and at their own pace.
• Would you like his trunk to lean a little? So plant it close to the wall, but I insist: close, not attached to it. Ideally, she should be at least one meter from it.
• If you have a palm tree that needs shade when young but sun as an adult, like the Archontophoenix or the Howea, it is interesting to put them in the shade of a plant that is bigger than it at that time, but that may be surpassed by the palm tree in a few years. For example, I put a Archontophoenix maxima 1 meter high in the shadow of a Ensete ventricosum which at that time measured about 3 meters. Now the palm tree has grown a lot, measuring just over 2 meters, but since it has been able to be gradually exposed to the sun, it does not burn its leaves.

So, I hope you can choose the best place for your palm tree.