Plant paurotis palm in moist ground, no deeper than the root ball, and leave room for the clump to spread.
Plant it in moist ground, no deeper than the root ball
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Warm months, once the soil is working | Do not plant into cold, sour ground |
| Hole | As deep as the root ball and about twice as wide | Do not dig a deep sump that buries the stems |
| Depth | Match the old soil line | Do not set the clump several inches deeper to hide the nursery stain |
| Backfill | The soil you dug, tamped as you go | Do not dump a rich compost pocket into packed fill |
paurotis palm moves as a container clump. Give it moist loam or sand, not a dry limestone strip that was built up for a parking lot. That fill is where new leaves frizzle from a manganese shortage. [1] [2]
- Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and about twice as wide, so the sides are not a slick cup.
- Set the clump so the old soil line matches the new grade. If the pot mix has sunk, find where the roots meet the stems and set that join at the soil surface. [3]
- Backfill with the soil you took out. Tamp as you go so air pockets do not hide under the ball.
- Build a low berm at the edge of the ball to hold the first soaks, then take it down once new fans show.
- Do not bury the stems to hide a tall nursery can. Palms rot when they are planted too deep. [4]
How deep should I plant paurotis palm?
No deeper than it sat in the pot. Match the old soil line. Do not bury the stems to hide a nursery stain.
Leave room for the clump, and keep the ball moist through the first months
Several trunks will keep coming from the same spot, so the planting needs a wide berth from a house, a walk, and the next tree. Plan on about 10 to 15 feet of width now, and more as the clump matures.
- Measure well away from walls, walks, and overhead wires before you dig.
- Mulch the root zone, and keep mulch off the stems.
- Keep the ball evenly moist for the first four to six months. Occasional flooding is fine; a long dry spell is not.
- Do not fertilize in the hole. Wait until new fans appear, then spread a palm fertilizer under the clump. Sun, moisture, and feed after that stay on How to Grow Paurotis Palm.
How much room does the clump need?
Leave about 10 to 15 feet of width, and more as trunks keep coming. It is a clustering palm, not a single skinny street tree.
Match the old soil line, leave room for the clump, and keep the ball moist through the first months.
FAQ
Should I add compost to the planting hole?
No. Backfill with the soil you dug. A rich pocket in packed fill holds water against the roots in a sour way, and it does not fix alkaline limestone.
Can it sit in standing water?
A spell of flooding is fine once the roots are in. Keep the ball moist through the first months. Do not park it in a dry limestone strip and hope the hose makes up for it.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County -
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/charlotteco/2022/08/31/fool-proof-palm-care-paurotis-palm/ - [2] UF/IFAS Extension -
https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST058 - [3] Missouri Botanical Garden -
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=276673 - [4] UF/IFAS Extension -
https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP001
This note is part of Acoelorrhaphe Guides.
More planting notes by plant are gathered in Planting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors