What is a Cascade Palm?
Cascade palm (chamaedorea cataractarum), also known as cat palm that can be grown both indoor and outdoor. They originate from the jungles of Central America, later distributed around the world. Its large, dark green leaves with a glossy surface give out a feeling of freshness and originality.
Cascade palms grow to a height of about 3 feet and produce shrubs along the trunks. These palms grow naturally in warm climates near streams and freshwater sources, so they need more moisture both in soil and in the environment than other palm species.
It can be challenging for beginners to grow cascade palm plants due to their needs, but being aware of its requirements can ensure your plant lives a healthy life.
Step-By-Step Guide For Planting Cascade Palms
When buying cascade palms from nursery plants, you normally get the young grown plant of about 1 -2 feet tall in a pot. Your job will first be changing the container into a new pot or request the seller to transfer it into a new container with fresh soil and a handful of fertilizer. You can also purchase a bag of organic manure as food for the plant.
Step 1:
If you plan to plant it outdoor, plant it under trees that can provide a partial shade. Otherwise, keep it in areas where the sun is not always directly on it. Provide cascade palms with indirect light while indoors. Direct sunlight burns the leaves and loses moisture rapidly. Prefers areas with bright and indirect sunlight for at least half an hour.
Step 2:
Always keep the temperature above 60º degrees Fahrenheit. Choose areas away from air conditioner pits or drafts, as cold air will break the palm.
Step 3:
Water cascade palms once or twice a week, or even if the soil surface begins to dry. Cascade palms need evenly moist soil around the root system to prevent them from drying out. Hence, you need to keep holes at the bottom of the pot for adequate drainage.
Step 4:
Cover the leaves with water every one to two days to keep the leaves clean and increase the moisture around the plants. This is especially needed in hot summers and dry winters. The grouping of many plants helps to increase the humidity in the air around the palm.
Step 5:
Apply soluble tropical organic manure monthly during the spring-summer and early summer seasons. Fertilize at half the rate recommended by the package. Pots should be repotted every 2 years for healthy root growth.
Signs of leaves turning yellow/brown can be due to insufficient nutrients, pests, or over-watering. Ensure to treat your plant well while figuring out the reasons for its weakening.
Where is Cascade Palm Grown?
Palm trees can survive in the northern climatic region as low as 25 degrees Fahrenheit. It can grow in zones from 6 to 12. You can check your zone area in the USDA chart here. However, during the winter months, some cascade plants should be kept indoors in case of harsh winter.
Besides, you can plant various ferns and shrubs along with cascade plants in a larger area. Many gardeners place it in containers for smaller space or decorate hallways, doors, windows nearby the sunlight.
How Big do Cascade Palms Grow?
It can grow up to 1.5 meters tall and a width of 1.8 meters. It has a slow growth hence it takes time to reach its maximum growth. Its growth and life quality also depend on how you care and maintain its development phase.
Soil Requirements
They prefer moist and sheltered areas with good soil drainages such as loam and sandy soil.
Do not let Cascade palm soil get too dry nor too wet. Apply water as soon as you see or feel the soil is getting dried up.
Lighting requirements
They require protection from direct sun and bright light if placed outdoors, otherwise, it can burn up the leaves. In the case of indoors, it should be kept several feet away from direct sunlight while keeping the windows open. Keeping them in partial shade is the key to keeping them healthy. If you observe old leaves, trim them up, this avoids the spread of diseases and allows new leaves to grow.
Watering
Cascade palm thrives best in moist soil during its development phase. Once it reaches an adult plant, it can be kept dry during winter but moist in summer. Watering them twice a week will keep the plants hydrated.
Fertilization
During the winter or autumn season, keep the roots warm by applying layers of mulch and manure. Palm plants grow best in organic matter; therefore add fertilizers twice a year or after every change of season.
7 Great Palm Plants to Grow Indoors
Palm plants can help improve the air quality in your home by filtering out the pollutants in the atmosphere. Indoor pollutants, such as slow acetone, toluene are emitted from old walls and paints. Palm plants absorb all types of indoor toxins and converting into clean air. For that reason, they are one of the top natural air purifiers for homes.
In addition, palm trees can make your home look elegant with their bold and classy feature. You can match it with any living room style with its presence; it adds a sophisticated value to your space. Here are 7 great palm plants that you can get started with:
1. Areca Palm
Also known as the butterfly palm due to its soft and light fronds with ends bending like the wings of a butterfly. They are similar to Kentia palm that has the same leaflets and height. Leaves color varies from light green to dark green. It can grow in less sunlight and requires a moderate amount of water. Harsh temperature can cause the leaves to form brown spots, therefore ensure it stays at room temperature and not lower than 55º degrees F.
It is an attractive plant to place in an office and large rooms, as it can grow up to 5 feet tall. Also counted as one of the best air purifiers by the research of Wolverton.
2. Majestic Palm (Ravenea Rivularis)
The most common plant observe in hotel lobbies and restaurants. It will eventually outgrow from pots and needs to be placed into bigger pots or larger soil areas. It can take several years to reach 10 feet tall, depending on how you nurture it. They do best in acidic soil with a pH level below 5.
They are grown in humid areas and fall under zone 10 to 11 (USDA). They grow with a balance of 3 main factors- heat, fertilizers, and light. Applying Epsom salts once a month will prevent the plant from turning yellow.
3. Parlor Palm
Parlor Palm is also known as Chamaedorea elegans or neanthe bella is a species originally from southern Mexico. It is also one of the most common indoor plants used in the world because of its low maintenance. It can grow in average and artificial lighting with less pruning. They can survive in humid and lower temperature conditions that is why is popular in many countries. The fronds can be used as flower arrangements and various craft decorations.
However, you need to water whenever the soil seems to dry. On the other hand, Parlor palms are susceptible to pests such as aphids, whitefly, and spider mites. Each disease has its treatment method, hence once you notice odd signs, treat it with the best solution.
4. Ponytail Palm
The scientific name is Beaucarnea recurvate, also known as elephant’s foot due to its resemblance to a swollen trunk at its base. It has a thick brown stem at its base to store water with a long stem that blooms up its fronds. The curly leaves form a shape of a fountain at its top, giving out a sense of uniqueness in its outline. These can be rare in many countries, as these plants survive in arid places and can live for decades.
It grows in a shady spot but needs bright light once or twice a week for effective growth. Watering once a week is enough due to its capacity to retain water. Feeding twice a year with any type of fertilizer will be enough.
It is a slow-growing plant and survives with less care. It can attract pets due to its shape, but it is not toxic to pets. The best thing is to keep pets away from your plant’s good looks!
5. Chinese Fan Palm
Also known as fountain palm, native from the subtropical and Asian region. The fronds give out an eye-catching look due to their glossy surface. It can grow up to 50 feet in larger areas, for indoors it can reach up to 30 feet. The Chinese Fan palm has a single stem with droppings of large leaves. It can adapt to harsh conditions, making it the best outdoor and indoor plant.
It grows from slightly acidic to neutral soil with regular fertilizing once a month. Grows best with lots of sunshine and tolerates shade areas as well. It can tolerate temperatures as low as 20º degrees F making it a strong resistant plant. If you are a beginner to plants, then getting a Chinese Fan palm should be on your must-have list.
6. Yucca Palm
Yucca plants consist of about 40-50 species. They are known for their toughness in growth, pointy leaves, and outline of white on their fronds. Yucca species fall into various attributes; Some are short with no holding stem, while other Yucca palm has a holding stem that spreads out its leaves at the end.
It resembles an adult date tree from its shape and. Yucca is an interesting house plant that can cover a large width of its size, making it the best plant for placing in living rooms or on top of the center table.
They are slow-growing plants with high drought tolerant. It thrives in both full sunlight and indirect sun. Many Yucca plants die due to over-watering, keeping the soil moist and little dry is the key to a healthy Yucca life. During the flowering season, it gives out small flowers of creamy white or pink colors.
7. Sago Palm
One of the oldest plants and native to southern Japan, it is known to produce sago and make ornaments. It has feathery foliage giving out a graceful, uplifting look. Easy to care for and thrive both in bright and low-light conditions.
Sago palms prefer well-drained soil without over-watering it otherwise it will show signs of deterioration. Watering one or two times a week is needed for its growth. Keeping its soil dry while monthly adding fertilizers can boost up the sago growth.
Common problems observe are Sago leaves turning yellow to brown. As these can be a sign of nutrient deficiency or pests.