The First Six Months with Your Fishtail Palm: What to Expect — Plant Care Tips and More

Photo by @jessoliverbaggett for Léon & George

With its striking appearance, deep green leaves and unique fronds resembling the fins of a fish, the Fishtail Palm is a popular choice for indoor plant enthusiasts. However, welcoming a Fishtail Palm into your home is like inviting a beautiful yet sensitive guest—some knowledge and patience is required as it settles into its new environment! Understanding that this elegant plant can be a bit temperamental during its initial months is key to becoming a successful Fishtail Palm plant parent. If you're considering this option as a houseplant, or have already welcomed it into your space and are experiencing some issues, you're in the right place. Keep reading as we guide you through the journey of nurturing your Fishtail Palm as it adapts to its new environment.

The Early Days: Yellowing, Browning, and Drooping

When you first bring home a Fishtail Palm, don't be alarmed if you notice some of its leaves turning yellow, brown, and/or drooping. This is a common reaction to the change in environment and may be caused by factors like changes in light, humidity, or temperature. Fishtail Palms are hypersensitive to these variations, and they often show their displeasure by exhibiting any or all of these symptoms.

Removing Damaged Foliage: Patience Is Key

The key to successfully acclimating your Fishtail Palm to its new home is patience. It's important not to panic and rush into removing every discolored leaf as this may cause the plant more distress. While it might be tempting to trim away the unsightly foliage, remember that the plant is going through a sensitive period. By allowing it some time, you're giving it a chance to adapt and recover. Week by week, you can remove some of the discolored foliage by trimming them off at the base of the leaf near the stem. Be careful not to remove more than 30% of the plant in one pruning session, as this may lead to even more shock.

Brown leaves on a new Fishtail Palm: not an uncommon sight.

Providing the Right Conditions

To support your Fishtail Palm during its sensitive adjustment phase, make sure you're providing the ideal conditions:

Light: Fishtail Palms prefer bright, indirect light and will also tolerate some direct light. However, avoid exposing them to too much harsh direct sunlight, as this can scorch their leaves, and never place this plant in a low light area. We recommend finding a well-lit spot where the plant receives plenty of filtered light.
Humidity: These palms thrive in spaces with high humidity. If your home has dry air, consider using a humidity tray or a room humidifier in the space where your Fishtail Palm for its ideal moisture levels.
Watering: Keep soil just moist to the touch, usually allowing the top inch or so of the soil to dry out. Water once a week or every 4-10 days depending on how fast your plant is drinking. Note that despite this plant’s preference for moisture, it is relatively drought tolerant so it’s usually best to err on the side of underwatering. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which is a much harder problem to fix!
Temperature: Keep your Fishtail Palm away from drafts and maintain a consistent room temperature. Avoid sudden temperature fluctuations, as these can stress the Fishtail Palm.
Fertilizing: Avoid feeding your plant during the initial adjustment period. However, the minute you begin to see new growth emerge, feed your plant a gentle fertilizer. In the meantime and while you’re waiting for your plant to show signs of new growth, you may consider using a foliar feed which is like a microdose of nutrients for your plant and much more gentle than even the gentlest of soil fertilizers.

The Six-Month Milestone

Anywhere between three and six months after you’ve brought your Fishtail Palm home, you'll likely notice a remarkable transformation in your plant. New fronds will emerge, showcasing the plant's resilience and adaptability. As you progressively remove the damaged and withered fronds and leaves, your Palm will start to have more energy to push out the new growth, looking fuller and healthier than ever before.

You’ve Got This!

In the world of indoor plants, the Fishtail Palm may require a bit more attention during its initial phase, but the rewards are well worth it. With patience and the right care, you can enjoy the beauty and elegance of this striking plant for many years to come. As you witness its journey of recovery and growth over the first six months, you'll develop a deeper appreciation for the wonder of nature and the resilience of your Fishtail Palm—we’re sure of it! Embrace the journey and soon you'll have a flourishing, magnificent Palm that will bring you joy day in and out for years to come.