Planting Large Palm Trees

• Palm trees in any size are available for planting, depending on your needs and the amount you can spend. Larger trees and plants are delivered from the nursery either in containers or in a burlap-wrapped bag. The hole for the root ball should be twice its diameter and only deep enough to set the plant at the same depth it was in the container or burlap wrapping, according to University of Florida horticulturist Timothy K. Broschat. The hole size may require a backhoe or other such digging equipment that landscape professionals use. Ensure that the potting soil the palm is in has not settled excessively. This can cause you to set your palm tree too shallow, making it unstable. Fertilize the plant with 8-2-12-4Mg slow-release fertilizer every two to three months to prevent nitrogen deficiency. Irrigate weekly for the first six to eight months to ensure good establishment.
  
  

Planting Smaller Palms

• Spring is the best time to plant palms. Soil temperatures above 65 degrees Fahrenheit are best, according to University of Arizona horticulturists. Test soil drainage by digging the hole 2 inches wider than the diameter of the root ball and about the same depth. Do not add organic material like compost or manure. This can cause the transplanted palm to sink further down into the soil. Set the plant at its original level. Fill in the topsoil, making sure not to cover the trunk. Water to settle the soil down. Water daily down to 2 feet for the first two weeks. Then, water the plant weekly.
  
  

Planting Indoor Palms

• Choose a pot slightly larger than the existing one. Loosen the soil at the sides and lift the plant gently from the container. Place in new pots and fill with sterile potting soil. Do not overpot. Keep indoor palms moist in the spring and summer. Allow soil to get slightly dryer during the winter months. Fertilize lightly in autumn and winter, recommends University of Minnesota horticulturist Deborah L. Brown. Periodically leach the soil in the container with a large amount of water to remove built-up salts.
  
  

Palm Tree Requirements

• Palm trees cannot live without a large amount of sunlight. Indoor palms require temperatures between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 55 to 60 degrees at night. Indoor palms may require additional humidity to counteract the drying effect of indoor heat. Palm trees may require additional micronutrients like boron, copper and zinc, which are available at garden stores and nurseries.