- Watering the hemp palm tree
- Pruning hemp palm
- Fertilize hemp palm: with what and how much?
- Repot hemp palm tree
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The hemp palm is not particularly demanding, but still needs a little care. We give you tips on fertilizing, cutting and more.
With proper care, Cannabis Palms (Trachycarpus) can grow ten to twenty fronds per year. Find out below how you can ensure that your hemp palm feels good and thrives.
In general, hemp palms are considered to be easy to care for, which has brought them to the top of the popularity list. Nevertheless, of course, even easy-care plants have requirements and special features that you should pay attention to. In this article we have put together the most important information for you.
Watering the hemp palm tree
Hemp palms do not like waterlogging. Therefore, only water your plant when the surface of the soil has completely dried out, but then a little more. In summer, this should be about every three to five days, depending on size and location. In winter, on the other hand, you should increase the interval. However, if the palm is not in a bucket but - as is often the case in mild regions - in a bed, watering in winter can even be dispensed with entirely.
Pruning hemp palm
Hemp palms don't actually need pruning. This is done more for aesthetic reasons as browning leaves are not simply shed but remain on the plant. If leaves turn brown, there is probably a reason. In this case, therefore, check whether the plant is getting enough or too little water or fertilizer.
Of course, individual leaves also die due to their age and are replaced by new ones. In this case, dead leaves can easily be cut off as soon as they have turned completely brown. However, leave a few centimeters on the trunk at a time.
If you want to edit green leaves, first cut off only part of them. Then wait for the remaining part near the stem to turn brown and dry before cutting off the rest of the leaf to within a few centimetres.
Fertilize hemp palm: with what and how much?
Hemp palms are not particularly demanding and one fertilization per month is perfectly sufficient. Whether fertilizer in the form of sticks, liquid fertilizer or granular fertilizer - this is up to you. However, our Plantura organic universal fertilizer is particularly recommended, as it is predominantly organic and, unlike many conventional fertilizers, is not primarily based on mineral components. Soil organisms are particularly encouraged by organic fertilizers. These convert the fertilizer into plant-available nutrients and thereby increase soil fertility. Soil organisms are also important for converting dead leaves and plant parts into valuable nutrients as quickly as possible. Diseases can also be prevented in this way. They also ensure good soil structure - the earthworm is probably the most well-known example of this. Mineral fertilizers, on the other hand, are immediately available to plants, but are therefore also at risk of leaching. In addition, mineral fertilizers do not contribute to promoting the activity of soil organisms.
You do not need to fertilize the plant in winter, its main growth period is between April and September. During this time, of course, it also needs the most nutrients. We have put together everything you need to know about fertilizing the hemp palm here.
Repot hemp palm tree
A plant that grows diligently above ground naturally also needs sufficient space underground to anchor itself and ensure its water and nutrient supply. To ensure this, you should repot your hemp palm every three to five years. Do this preferably in the spring, because this is the time of year when these plants can respond well to a changing environment. On the other hand, repotting in late summer, autumn or winter can lead to stress. Use rather deep pots, as the roots of the hemp palm grow particularly deep. Some gravel or lava tuff can be used as the bottom layer so that excess water can drain off easily. The substrate should be well drained soil mixed with sand or similar, but should have a slightly acidic pH.
Summary of caring for the hemp palm:
- Hemp palms do not tolerate waterlogging, so let the substrate dry before the next watering
- Brown leaves may be cut off. However, leave 4 cm
- Cut off green leaves in two steps: Only when the cut leaf has already dried up, cut off the rest except for 4 cm
- Fertilize: about once a month from April to September, preferably with organic fertilizers such as Plantura Bio Universal Fertilizer
- Repot every three to five years in spring
An important topic related to the care of hemp palms is of course the overwintering of the plant. You can find more details on this in our special article.