Fishtail palm (Caryota mitis) has large, fan-like leaves that resemble the tail fin of a fish, hence its common name. Native to tropical Asia, it makes a fine house plant in the UK, where it thrives in moist, humid conditions in bright but indirect light.
In summer it bears a clusters of hanging panicles bearing masses of small, pink-purple flowers with yellow stamens. However fishtail palm rarely flowers when grown as a house plant. It's important to note that, if your fishtail palm does flower, it may go on to produce berries, which contain oxalates and are therefore toxic to pets and humans.
How to grow fishtail palm
Grow fishtail palm in moist but free-draining soil, such as cactus compost, and keep the compost slightly moist but not wet – this can be tricky to achieve but watering every few days, when the top of the compost feels dry to the touch, is ideal. A position with bright but indirect light is perfect as it mimics the conditions of its native jungle environment, where it grows among taller plants. The ideal temperature for fishtail palm is 18-30ºC, so ensure it doesn't become too cold in winter. Humidity is also key to keeping your fishtail palm happy, so ideally place it in a humid room such as a bathroom, mist the leaves regularly or stand the pot on a tray of pebbles with water, which can evaporate around the plant and increase ambient moisture. In the growing season, feed monthly with a fertiliser designed for palm trees.
Fishtail palm requires very little care: simply trim away any faded foliage as and when you need to. If your fishtail palm becomes too tall, you can snip the tops off of the stalks. Repot every few years, only when you can see roots poking out of the drainage holes of the pot, as they seem to thrive with a little root compaction.
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Advice on buying fishtail palm
- Fishtail palm requires bright but indirect light and moderate amounts of humidity. Ensure you have the right growing conditions before buying
- Always check plants for signs of pests and diseases before buying or planting
Where to buy fishtail palm online
Types of fishtail palms to grow
Caryota mitis: This is the most common and popular houseplant variety and it's also known as the clustering fishtail palm because it produces suckers.
Caryota mitis 'Variegata': This cultivar of the popular fishtail palm has lime green leaves with yellow and white striping.
