Light: Fishtail Palms need very bright indirect light from an east or west- facing window; but avoid direct exposure to the sun.

Water: Water a Fishtail Palm well and then allow the top 20% of the soil to dry out before watering again. Never allow the soil to totally dry out and don't let a Fishtail Palm sit in a saucer of excess water.

Temperature: Fishtail Palms like temperatures between 75-85 degrees during the day and 60-70 degrees at night. Try to keep a Fishtail Palm out of cold drafts and away from air conditioners. Nighttime temperatures should never go below 45 degrees.

Fertilizer: Fertilize a Fishtail Palm monthly, when it is actively growing, with a basic houseplant food at 1/2 strength. A Fishtail Palm should never be fertilized in the winter.

Humidity: A Fishtail Palm thrives in high humidity. It will do exceptionally well in spas and indoor pool areas.

Soil: Fishtail Palms grow best when planted in a fast draining porous soil that contains a great deal of organic matter.

Pests: Spider mites are the main pest attracted to Fishtail Palms. Spray your plant with a mild solution of warm soapy water a few times a month. This helps prevent and get rid of the spider mites. Since you should never use a leaf shine product on a Fishtail or any other Palm, this will also keep the fronds clean and free of dust.

Pruning: The new growth on a Fishtail Palm comes from the end of the stalk only. If you cut the newest frond off below where it is attached to the main stem, there will be NO more new growth produced by the plant.

Propagation: Propagating a Fishtail Palm from seeds is a little difficult, and it usually takes the seeds at least four months to germinate. The best way to propagate a Fishtail Palm is by plant division.

Clean Air Plant: A Fishtail Palm cleans the air of benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.

1. I love Fishtail Palms but I live in a tiny apartment; can I get a small one?
I've never seen a small Fishtail Palm for sale commercially. Fishtail Palms are large plants and usually come in grower's pots that are 10" or bigger. These plants grow about 6-8 inches a year. Fishtail Palms are really for big homes or businesses that have lots of room and lots of light.

2. Why are the tips of the leaves on my Fishtail Palm turning brown?
There could be several reasons: too much fertilizer (this usually affects the bottom leaves first), too much fluoride in the water, too little humidity, or allowing the soil to totally dry out. You'll have to check them out one by one.

3. I put my Fishtail Palm outside for the summer. I can't believe that it got fruit and flowers. Should I keep them or cut them off?
If you don't cut the flowers off, the entire stem of the Fishtail Palm will die back. The fruit of a Fishtail Palm contains oxalic acid which can burn your skin; so put on some plastic gloves when you remove the fruit.

4. My Fishtail Palm is in a bright-unheated sunroom. It was doing great; then around December it started to get these rust colored marks on the leaves. Is that spider mites?
I don't think so. The temperature in the room probably got too cold for a Fishtail Palm and damaged the leaves.

5. My Fishtail Palm is touching the ceiling. How can I cut the main stem back to a better height?
Sorry to say, you cannot cut a palm back to reduce its height. The palm will never grow again. Give it to a friend with higher ceilings.

6. If I use more fertilizer, will the fronds turn a darker green?
No, but you will cause the tips of the leaves to turn brown. If the leaves look faded, you may be giving your Fishtail Palm too much light; if the leaves look blotchy, the plant may have spider mites.