Finding the right soil mix for your palm trees will ensure that they grow well over time. But the right environment has to be provided.
Hi! I am Stacy Smith, a nature lover and gardening enthusiast with a newly found interest in growing palm trees. However, I was not sure if I had the right soil mix for the job.
After doing my research, I found that light soil is needed to grow palm trees as it drains well and has a pH level of 6.3 to 6.8.
A good example would be sand-based soil that works perfectly because of its high nutrition value. Along with this, I’ll be discussing the best soil for palm trees in the following sections.
So, without further ado, let me begin!
Top 5 Soil Types For Palm Trees
1. Miracle-Gro Potting Mix And Palm Tree Food
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One of my top recommendations is the Miracle-Gro Potting Mix And Palm Tree Food, which is enriched with a lot of vital ingredients and minerals. You will love the formulation and the change that it can bring to the garden.
Product Highlights
There are two packets with the palm tree potting mix and palm tree food in them. The potting mix will work as a fast-draining formula to ensure that the plant gets enough water. Plus, it contains a mix of the top ingredients like sphagnum peat moss, forest products, and perlite. This will prevent the soil from becoming compact and the water from draining out.
On the other hand, the palm tree food mix, which weighs 20 lbs, can feed your palm trees for up to six weeks. There are 15 feedings provided in each pack, and the calculations are made on the basis of a ten feet canopy. But the best part about this food is that it will never overfeed or burn the trees because the formula releases nitrogen slowly over time.
Moreover, after using both the products, you will find that the leaves are becoming greener and the trees are looking healthier.
What’s There To Like About It?
First of all, I saw very quick results after using both packs. The trees were growing faster, and the leaves were turning a darker shade of green. You are bound to notice the transformation that takes place.
Also, if you have a small or medium-sized garden at home, then this product will work out well. You will only need to buy one pack, which makes it cost-effective.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
Please remember that you might end up finding a few dead gnats in the mix, and some people may find that problematic. But I did not face any problems as the gnats added to the fertilizer mix soon became a part of the soil. However, there might be a few live ones, so please wear gloves while working.
Pros and Cons of Miracle-Gro Potting Mix And Palm Tree Food
Pros
Cons
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2. Espoma PM4 839330
Up next is an all-natural formula that will keep your palm trees healthy. The Espoma PM4 839330 is equipped with a 4-1-5 formula, and it ranks high in reliability and efficiency. You should be able to see a change within a short period of time.
Product Highlights
To begin with, you will get a four-pound bag of formula that can safely be used for a medium-sized garden. And the application process is relatively easy as you will not have to mix it with water at all.
Instead, you can just add it around the base of plants and then water it. For new trees, you can mix this with potting soil and then use it to plant palm trees. Then sprinkle water on top and let it sit.
Moving on, the 4-1-5 mixture indicates that there is four percent nitrogen, one percent phosphorus, and five percent potash, which make the soil ideal for new growth.
Also, you will be able to see results within six to eight months of application. The leaves of the palm trees will turn green over time making them pretty visible.
What’s There To Like About It?
My garden has hibiscus plants as well as palm trees, and this product has been working well for both. I didn’t have to buy anything else till now, making it an efficient choice.
Plus, if your plants have not been growing well, then this mix can be added to the soil to tackle this concern. It comes with the right ingredients, which can make the leaves turn greener and brighter over time.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
The only issue that I faced with this product was that the mix was pretty smelly. I decided to wear a mask while working, which somewhat reduced the odor but be prepared to have a smelly garden for the first few days. Hence, in case you have a party planned, make sure that you do not apply this just before.
Pros and Cons of Espoma PM4 839330
Pros
Cons
- USE ON: Use Palm-tone organic fertilizer for palm trees including King, Areca, Sago and Kentia Palm Trees. Use on tropical hibiscus for abundant blooms
- CONTAINS: Palm-tone is a rich blend of the finest natural & organic ingredients enhanced with our exclusive Bio-tone formula; 4-1-5 fertilizer analysis with 5% calcium. Palm-tone is environmentally Safe - No sludges or toxic ingredients
- WHEN / HOW TO USE: Best to use Palm-tone every three months for optimum performance. Apply to the soil around the drip line of the plant and water thoroughly. Palm-tone is ready to use and requires no mixing
3. Rio Hamza Trading Gardening Soil
If you prefer to have completely clean soil with no gnats or eggs, then the Rio Hamza Trading Gardening Soil will be an excellent option. It is free from fungus and other insects but is packed with all the necessary ingredients.
Product Highlights
The product contains a mix of healthy organic ingredients, which are good for the soil. That includes peat, lime, perlite, and worm castings mixed in the right amount to encourage new and healthy growth.
That is not all; you can use this soil medium on a large number of plant types, including parlor palm, pothos, peace lily, Schefflera, aralia, Marginata, snake plant, coffee plants, and dieffenbachia.
These are clean air indoor plants, which are known to clean the air pollutants inside the house. Hence, you can enjoy a safe and clean space to live and breathe in.
So, if you are a gardening enthusiast like me, purchasing this one soil mix should be enough for most of the plants both in your garden and indoors.
What’s There To Like About It?
There are 4 quarts of soil in one bag, which contains the perfect mix of ingredients and can be used for repotting older plants too. If you want to move a parlor palm tree indoors after growing it on your porch for a while, then re-pot it with this soil before moving.
It will keep cleaning the air inside while it receives all the necessary nutrients from the soil.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
While the soil mix works for a wide variety of plants, it can be an expensive choice considering the price and the amount. If you have a lot of plants at home, then this can be a little difficult to afford as you will have to purchase a lot of packs. However, for those who have a few plants to take care of, this can work out well.
Pros and Cons of Rio Hamza Trading Gardening Soil
Pros
Cons
4. FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil
If you are looking for a potting mix that contains all kinds of benefits, then the FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil is a great option. You can choose between one and four packs depending on your needs.
Product Highlights
When it comes to potting soil, you will want the pH level to be ideal. Here the soil mix will ensure that the pH is adjusted from 6.3 to 6.8, which is perfect for palm trees. You will not have to add extra fertilizer to the soil making this a cost-effective option.
Moving on, you will love the light and aerated texture of the soil. It will work for both indoor and outdoor plants; hence, you can use it in potted plants too. If you are planting an indoor plant inside the house, just fill the pot with this soil and place some rocks on the bottom. That should ensure the right amount of drainage, and the plant will thrive well.
What’s more, the brand has taken the extra effort of packing the soil well, and they have added an extra layer of protection. This keeps the soil safe, and it will not spill out when shipped.
What’s There To Like About It?
This product can be used on other shrubs and roses too. All you need to do is add a top layer of three to six inches on top of the existing soil layer and then water thoroughly.
I was also happy to receive a pack of 12 quarts, which was sufficient for all my palm trees and rose bushes. In case you want more, there is a four-pack option available too.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
I was slightly disappointed to notice that there were gnats in the pack. They were not visible at first but then when I tried to transfer the soil to another pot, I noticed them. Now they won’t cause any problems in case of outdoor use but be careful if you are planning to use it indoors.
Pros and Cons of FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil
Pros
Cons
- Ultimate potting soil that has everything your plants need in one bag
- Ocean Forest is pH adjusted at 6.3 to 6.8 to allow for optimum fertilizer uptake
- Ocean Forest has a light, aerated texture that's perfect for indoor and outdoor plants
5. Purple Cow IndiCanja Living Soil
One of my final recommendations is the Purple Cow IndiCanja Living Soil, which is a ready-to-use mix that will work well for the plants. It is used by many professionals who might be planning to plant seeds.
Product Highlights
This product is known to be a super soil mix that only needs water for plants to grow. It contains plant compost, essential nutrients as well as organic matter that may lead to the increased demand for water, which is alright in my opinion.
Next, you will be pleased to know that this soil can be used for indoor plants as well. It is popular among both professional indoor growers and planting enthusiasts.
What’s more, the mix is completely organic, and there are no added artificial ingredients in it. So, it will not harm you at all if accidentally inhaled. Moreover, the pack is ready to use; you will just have to take out the soil and use it to plant palm trees.
The soil will work well with seedlings as well tiny plants. You can even use it around the roots of larger trees.
What’s There To Like About It?
Many consumers have spoken about seeing explosive growth after they started to apply this mix. Hence, I am pretty confident that you will be able to see a major transformation.
Plus, it is known to increase root mass, which will, in turn, better the health of the plant. In fact, the product is tested for its purity, and I have seen my plants appear green and healthy after using this.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
If you have a large garden, then this pack will not be sufficient at all as it is available in a small size variant. You might need to buy many packs, which again makes it an expensive deal. But if you have a few palm trees to work with, then there should not be any problem at all. So, please do a quick check and only then purchase.
Pros and Cons of Purple Cow IndiCanja Living Soil
Pros
Cons
- READY-TO-USE! IndiCanja is a water-only super soil containing everything needed to take your plant from seedling to harvest
- WHAT THE PROS USE! Purple Cow IndiCanja is used by many professional indoor growers and farmers, but it’s easy to use for the hobby growers and home gardeners as well
- COMPOST-BASED! Including Purple Cow Organics' plant-based compost, IndiCanja contains essential nutrients and organic matter that may naturally increase water uptake
Buyers Guide
By now, you must have realized that there are different types of soil mixes from a number of brands that can work well. However, there are differences among the types and it may still be difficult to find the best soil for palm trees.
Hence, I decided to add this buyer’s guide section. Here, I will discuss the major points to remember before you actually purchase the right soil.
1. Indoor V/s Outdoor Plants
First of all, you will have to consider whether you want a planting soil mix for indoor or outdoor plants. There are separate mixes for both, and the soil will come with different ingredients. For example, indoor palm varieties clean indoor pollutants in the air, and they require a certain kind of nutrient to do that.
On the other hand, outdoor plants are exposed to direct sunlight and other weather conditions, so they may require a separate mix.
2. Nitrogen Content
My friend Angie told me that nitrogen is very necessary for plants to grow well. Now, although soil has a high nitrogen content, it only allows about two percent of it to be absorbed by plants. So, you will need to purchase soil mixes that have some amount of nitrogen in the mix. Otherwise, the plants may face a deficiency, which can have detrimental effects.
Moving on, the best kind of soil mixes will always ensure that nitrogen is slowly released over time. If a lot of nitrogen has been released and the plants absorb it all at once, it can be harmful. So, please check before you purchase, and you should have a fine gardening experience.
3. Drainage
By now, you should already know that palm trees require well-draining soil to grow. Hence, you need to ensure that the soil does not become compact at any point in time. Now, I understand that sandy soil will enable better drainage, but you might not live in an area with sandy soil.
In this case, you can do two things - either use sand with a good soil mix and put it in a pot or add well-draining soil around the plant base and then plant your palm trees. If you are using a pot, please drill a hole on the bottom side. This will allow the water to drain off, providing a better environment for the plant to grow in.
Plus, Angie told me to add rocks in the base of the pot to ensure better water flow. The only thing that needs to be avoided at all costs is planting palm trees in stagnant water and soil.
4. Nutrition
To grow well, your palm trees will need a lot of nutrition in the form of magnesium, iron, nitrogen, potassium, and manganese, to name a few. Now you have to make sure that the product you select provides the plant with all of these. If it is unable to do so, then you will have to add a separate fertilizer to the mix.
5. Amount Required
Please be careful about the amount required for each plant to grow. Read the label carefully before you add the soil mix to the existing soil or the pot. My friend Angie has a lot of knowledge about gardening, and she warned me about this very clearly.
Some mixes contain a lot of nutrients, and if you overuse any of them, then that could be problematic for the soil.
6. Weight Of The Bag
The weight of the bag is of utmost importance, and you will have to keep that in mind as well. Now, the bags will mostly range from 0.5 pounds to 50 pounds depending on the need. But if you have a larger garden, then it is best to buy big soil mix packs as that would be cheaper than purchasing multiple small packs.
On the other hand, if you have a small garden, then you will not need a lot of soil, so make sure you purchase accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, I will discuss a few of the frequently asked questions related to the topic, which should answer any query that you may have.
No, palm trees cannot grow in places where there is a lot of hard clay. They need proper draining soil, which will allow the water to drain easily. But the hard clay will absorb and hold the water making the environment unfavorable for this variety of plant.
Since the soil is a well-draining one, water will not remain in the soil for long. Hence, you will have to water them on a regular basis. Just remember not to overdo it; otherwise, the plant may die.
Palm trees grow very well in sandy loam soil, which consists of a loose porous mixture. This can be made with a combination of peat moss, shredded bark, leaf moss, and perlite. You may need to add some perlite along with the soil mixes to get the best out of it.
My Final Recommendations
If the soil in your garden is not at all suitable for growth, then it is best to plant your palm trees in pots. Opt for smaller varieties that can keep growing in pots, and you can keep some indoors as well.Â
With this, I am ready to wrap it up, but I will tell you about my favorites before that. The No products found. is a good nutrient mix that can be used outdoors. On the other hand, the Espoma PM4 839330 is an all-natural formula and a very reliable choice.Â
And of course, the Rio Hamza Trading Gardening Soil is one of the cleanest options on the market.Â
I will soon be back with more informative guides. Until next time!Â