How to Grow and Care for Foxtail Palm at Home

The foxtail palm (Wodyetia bifurcata), is a popular home landscaping tree in the southern U.S., growing well in humid, warm climates (USDA Hardiness Zones 10 and 11). It has a straight trunk and grows up to 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide. The canopy consists of bright to dark green, rounded, fluffy fronds 8 to 12 feet long that resemble a fox's tail.

When grown in a warm, sunny climate, foxtail palm is a fairly low-maintenance tree. It is fairly salt tolerant, making it a good candidate for coastal locations. It grows about a foot per year reaching its mature height in 20 years. The foxtail palm has a lifespan of 50 to 100 years.

Like other palm trees grown as houseplants, foxtail palm trees grown indoors will be smaller than outdoors, reaching a mature height of 15 feet.

The seeds of the foxtail palm are toxic to humans and pets,

Planting Foxtail Palm

When to Plant

Plant foxtail palm in the spring or early summer, which gives it a good start in warm weather.

Where to Plant

Native to Queensland, Australia, foxtail palm grows best in tropical and subtropical climates, which in the U.S. translates into hardiness zones 10 to 11. Select a location with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil.

As the mature tree grows to a height of 30 feet, with a canopy spread of 20 feet, it's important to allow adequate distance to a home or building. Also, keep in mind that the tree drops its long fronds, so you'll want to avoid growing it in spots where anything might be damaged by falling fronds.

Foxtail palm can also be grown in containers, however, it struggles as a houseplant in conditions with inadequate light and humidity and thrives best in northern climates if grown in a greenhouse.

How to Plant Foxtail Palm

Here is how to plant a nursery-grown foxtail palm:

• Dig a hole twice as wide and as deep as the nursery container.
• Set the tree in the hole so the trunk rests at the same level as in the nursery pot.
• Backfill with the original soil, pressing it down to remove air pockets.
• Water it well until the soil is saturated. Add a 3 to 4-inch layer of mulch around the base..

Foxtail Palm Care

Foxtail palms require a warm and humid climate with temperatures never dipping below 60°F. They need full to partial sun outdoors or bright, direct light indoors. The soil should be sandy and well-draining soil. Until they are established, the palms need ample water.

Light

Foxtail palms grow quickly if provided at least 6 hours of bright direct sunlight daily. The tree tolerates part shade but won't grow as fast and may be more vulnerable to fungal diseases.

If you want to try growing this palm as a houseplant, give it as much light as possible. It is difficult to grow foxtail palm indoors unless you have a greenhouse.

Soil

Well-draining sandy soil amended with nutrients, like well-aged compost, works best for this palm tree. Loosen heavy clay soils with sand or plant the tree in a raised mound. The tree prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.6 to 7.8.

Water

Water young trees regularly until established, which takes up to two years. Mature palms are drought-tolerant and require irrigation only in cases of extended dry periods.

Water slowly and deeply until the soil around the plant is soaked to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Let the top 1 to 2 inches of soil dry out before watering again, which helps prevent overwatering.

Potted palms need containers with plenty of drainage holes, as waterlogged soil leads to root rot. Container-grown plants also require more frequent irrigation. Water them until water runs out of the drainage holes.

Temperature and Humidity

Warm temperatures and lots of humidity make this palm particularly well-suited to the south Florida landscape. Foxtail palms are not cold-hardy; they require temperatures above 60°F or higher.

If you choose to grow this palm as a houseplant, provide temperatures in the 65 to 85°F range and give the plant as much light as possible. Consider adding a humidifier to increase moisture in the air.

Fertilizer

Feed foxtail palm in the spring with a slow-release fertilizer formulated specifically for palm trees.

Tip

Add a 3- to 4- inch layer of mulch around your foxtail palm to discourages weeds and protect the trunk from mower damage.

Pruning

Foxtail palm is self-cleaning and does not require pruning, however you may want to remove dead fronds before they drop. Use a sharp hand pruner to cut the frond at the base being careful to avoid damaging the trunk.

Propagating Foxtail Palm

Propagation is done by removing suckers or offshoots from the parent tree. However, you will need to dig up the tree and carefully remove offshoots from the base using a sharp knife or hand pruner.

Pot the offshoots in small containers in rich-but-well-draining soil mix. Water them thoroughly and place them in a warm spot out of direct sunlight. New fronds should start to form in several weeks.

How to Grow Foxtail Palm From Seed

Growing from seed is the most common way to propagate foxtail palm, but germination takes anywhere from 2 to 12 months.

Collect seeds from the ripe fruits, soak them to soften, then remove and plant in a nutrient-rich, well-draining potting mix. Cover containers with plastic to retain moisture and keep in a warm location out of bright direct sunlight until sprouting occurs.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Foxtail palms are susceptible to many of the same common pests and diseases that affect other palm species, including Ganoderma butt rot. Giving your tree the best growing conditions and keeping it watered and fertilized regularly will boost the health of the tree and help it survive problems.

Pest Control

Potential pests include palm leaf skeletonizers, spider mites, mealybugs, banana moths, whiteflies, and ambrosia beetles. They cause the foliage on your palm to take on a ragged, wilted, or discolored look.

As palm trees are vulnerable to damage from harsh chemicals, treat pests with an organic insecticide at the first sign of a problem.

Fungal Diseases

In waterlogged, soggy soil, foxtail palm is prone to root rot and crown rot, which are caused by fungal diseases and appear as yellowing, browning, or wilting fronds. If untreated, they will kill the tree.

To prevent crown rot or root rot, make sure the soil has adequate drainage and avoid overwatering, At the first sign of a problem, treat the tree with an appropriate fungicide.

Common Problems With Foxtail Palm

Common problems usually occur due to nutrient deficiencies. Applying a special fertilizer for palm trees once a year in the spring is usually sufficient; overfertilizing is harmful to the plant.

Leaf Spots and Yellowing Fronds

Iron deficiency leads to leaf spots and yellowing fronds.

Dying Fronds

Potassium deficiency is very common in palms growing in sandy soil that leaches nutrients fast. It is ess prevalent in container plants. The fronds turn brown, die, and drop prematurely.

Small or Deformed Fronds

Fronds that are small or deformed are caused by nutritional deficiencies. Manganese shortage leads to a condition called 'frizzletop.' Leaves emerge stunted and yellow taking on a withered or scorched look as they mature. Boron deficiency results in leaves that appear hooked or bent with foliage missing at the tips.

From: thespruce