Fishtail Palm Indoors, Burmese Fishtail Palm (Caryota mitis)

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Plant Details

Category: Houseplants
Light: Bright Light
Bloom Season:
Height: 6-10' / 
1.8–3m
Space: 2-3' / 
.6-.9m
Zones: 8, 9, 10, 11
Lowest Temp: 10° to 20°F / 
-12° to -6°C
Colors: Grown for foliage

Basic Care

Water thoroughly when the top 1-2” (2.5-5cm) of soil feels dry. Brown tips may develop if the air is too dry, the plant is underwatered, or salts build up in the soil. Reduce or stop feeding in winter when growth slows.

Water

Keep soil moist, but not soggy.

Soil

Organic-rich, well-drained potting soil.

Feed

Liquid or slow-release granules during active growth.

Fishtail Palm Indoors detailed care guide →

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Features

Fishtail palm, also known as the Burmese fishtail palm, is a tropical palm grown indoors for its bold, deeply divided leaflets that resemble the ragged tail fin of a fish. This species is native to warm, humid forests of tropical Southeast Asia. The plant naturally forms multiple upright stems from the base, giving it a full, layered look.

Mature plants may bloom and produce dangling clusters of small purple flowers that are followed by round berries that ripen from green to black. The poisonous berries contain calcium oxalate crystals and can cause skin irritation or mouth pain if chewed or swallowed. Wear gloves when handling the berries and keep them away from curious pets and small children.

Uses

A spectacular potted plant for large indoor spaces with bright windows. Can also be grown outdoors in a patio planter during the summer and brought indoors for the winter.

Fishtail Palm Indoors, Burmese Fishtail Palm (Caryota mitis) Care Guide

Start with a good quality, commercial potting soil. These are usually lighter in weight than topsoil, sterile and pest-free. Many are available with a mild starter fertilizer in the mix.

Select a container with a drainage hole or be prepared to drill holes for drainage if there are none.

Prepare the container by filling with potting soil up to 2” (5cm) from the rim of the planter. Remove the plant from its pot.

Make a small hole in the soil slightly larger than the root ball either by hand or using a trowel. Insert the plant into the hole and press soil firmly around the roots and just covering the root ball. When all the plants are potted, water thoroughly to settle the soil and give plants a good start. Place plant in a reliably sunny location.

Repot every 2 years in the same container or in a container slightly larger than the diameter of the roots.

Prefers moist but well-drained soil. Check the soil moisture with your finger. If the top 2-4” (5-10cm) of soil is dry, or plants are wilted, it is time to water.

Apply water at the soil level if possible to avoid wetting the foliage. Water the entire soil area until water runs out the base of the pot. This indicates that the soil is thoroughly wet.

Most container plants can be pruned freely to maintain the desired size and shape. Keeping the foliage trimmed also keeps the plants looking neat and tidy, encourages the plant to develop more side-shoots and flowers, and reduces the demand for the plant to develop a larger root system. This is important since the roots are in a confined space.

Fertilizers are available in many forms: granulated, slow-release, liquid feeds, organic or synthetic. Determine which application method is best for the situation and select a product with a nutritional balance designed for foliage plants.

Too much fertilizer can damage plants so it’s important to follow the package directions to determine how much, and how often, to feed plants.

Slow-release fertilizers are an especially good, care-free choice for container plants. A single application can often provide plants with the proper level of nutrition all season long.

Fishtail Palm Indoors Companion/Combination Plants

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