Description
A Hardy and Handsome Palm, Inside or OutLivistona Chinensis is a wild and tropical plant. It is most commonly found in warm and humid climates. They are a great way to add a little beauty to your home. The plant has large fan-shaped leaves and can grow up to eight feet tall when you keep it indoors. Or if you keep them outdoors, they can grow to a staggering 50 feet long. The Livistona Chinensis is native to East Asia, and because of its fanlike leaves, it is also referred to as the fountain palm. This plant has a reputation for having invasive tendencies. These tendencies mean it can take over all the other plants within its space and choke them. Places like Hawaii, Bermuda, and Florida have listed it as an officially invasive plant. Caring for your Chinese Fan PalmThe Chinese Fan Palm is a hardy plant, and they are not very particular about their environment. This is why they are a premium choice for all the people who are growing such plants for the very first time. If you take the proper care of these plants, they will flourish greatly. Here is a care guide you can use to take care of them. LightFor optimal growth of the Chinese Fan Palm, you need to keep it in partial shade where you get the full sun. The plant should get at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. If the plant is young, you may have to keep it in the shade. If you keep it under direct sunlight, then the young plant may burn. If you are growing the plant indoors, keep it close to a bright window that gives it indirect light. For better growth, you can keep turning it a quarter once every week so that all sides get the right amount of light. SoilThe plant is not very picky regarding soil; you can grow it in different soil types. The best option is sandy or clay, as they have good drainage. The plant also responds very well to loamy soil that is slightly acidic or has a more neutral pH level. If you want selective soil, you can go for options designed exclusively for palms. WaterThe plant needs to be lightly moist and not completely soggy. If you overwater the plant, it can cause the plant’s roots to rot, or it may cause other diseases. These diseases can be fatal for the plant, however, these plants do not tolerate drought well enough and you will need to give them water on and off to ensure that they are not extremely dry. If the weather is scorching, keep watering them to keep them moist. However, in the winter months, you need to let the soil dry for a little bit before you wear it. FertilizerFertilizer is a good option; it will promote faster growth compared to plants that do not get fertilizer. If you want to include fertilizer in your plant, you can apply it once or thrice between winter and early fall. You can get further instructions from the label.Common IssuesThere are not a lot of issues with the Chinese fan palm, but they are susceptible to damage from some insects or diseases, and you must be careful to avoid them. PestsPests, including scale insects and spider mites, are the most dangerous for the Chinese Fan Palm and can cause grave damage to the foliage. They may even prove to be fatal for the plant. To ward off these pests, you can use neem oil or an insecticidal soap that can treat the infestation effectively. DiseaseRegarding diseases, the Chinese fan palm may suffer from discolored leaves and or nutrient deficiency. These diseases can be easily avoided if you take good care of the plant. PruningYou do not need to prune the Chinese fan palm a lot as they are very smart in cascading the shape naturally. But if you want to ensure that the plant looks tidy then you can prune the dead parts of the plant that are located at the bottom of the crown. However, do not prune them if the plant is not completely brown. PropagationTo propagate the plant, you can use its seed to grow, but many people find the process to be longer. You can grow the plant with the cuttings. Potting/Repotting To grow the plant, you can keep it in a container but go for a container that is bigger than the root ball of the plant so that the plant has enough space to grow. These plants do not grow rapidly so you will not have to repot them every few days.
