A friend of mine called me the other day asking for advice on what indoor palm to get for her home. She really wanted a palm because of the fronds – which reminded her of her childhood home.
She was quite disappointed with my answer.
There are many choices in palms that would do well in an indoor environment. Given the proper lighting – most homes are warm enough. Many palms also adapt to lower lighting pretty well, and do fine with the lower humidity of a modern house. They are also pretty easy to care for as far as watering goes – not very picky. Keep the soil evenly moist by watering once a week and your good to go.
So why did I advise to keep to just 2 types – Kentia palms and Rhapis palms ?
The answer is quite simple – Spider Mites. These little hungry spider cousins LOVE most palms. They multiply quickly, create massive damage and are impossible to control or eradicate in a home. They also move around and get on to other plants in the house. The harsh reality is that the beautiful palm you just got will look poorly in a few weeks.
How did the Spider Mites get on the plant?
They either come on the plant, come through the window in summer, get on your clothing and you bring them home, or can even snatch a ride on some cut flowers or flowering plant you just brought home. They also transport easily on feather dusters from plant to plant – keep that in mind when dusting !
As a side note – Growers and nurseries can no longer guarantee their plants are 100% free of pests. It is the reality of the current industry. Although most do treat their plants – it is nearly impossible anymore that any plant is bug free when you purchase it. Between limitations on which pesticides can be used (and thank God for that!), and the amazing capacity for insects to develop resistance to the products used – the alternative is to limit your risk.
Almost microscopic – Spider mite
Now what ?
You could treat them – but you have to be pretty good at treating and getting all of them – I mean 100% ! Females lay about 400 eggs – so leave one alive and in no time the infestation will be right back to where it was before.
Treating is difficult to do effectively and reach 100% – especially in a home. The mites form massive webbing and cover all surfaces with their silk! Spray liquids many times do not penetrate all the silk strands.
I also never encourage using chemicals in an enclosed indoor space either. And the logistics of spraying around furniture without damaging it is a chore!
For most people it is way too difficult a task to accomplish.
fine webbing covers all surfaces !
Therefore …
The only two readily available palms that are resistant – and not immune by the way – are these two – Howea forsteriana (Kentia) and Rhapis excelsa. It has to do with their thicker leaves – which spider mites do not handle very well. All others are simply too risky for me to recommend.
Kentia palm
Raphis palm
Beware – These three are very prone to spider mites !
Areca palm (Chrysalidocarpus)
Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea)
Pygmy date palm (Phoneix roebellini)
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Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBA
All photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK
