I Transplanted A Tropical Palm For Indoors And It Was…
Linda Asked
I transplanted a tropical palm for indoors and it was outside and we had a downpour! It’s floating in water and soil. What do I do?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Linda in Virginia: Excessive moisture can lead to root rot, which can ultimately kill your palm. This would only happen if the palm were left in this situation over a period of time but if you think about it, it actually makes sense that the loose soil would overflow if it came into contact with a heavy downpour of rain since your palm was just repotted and the roots have not had time to take hold of the soil and sort of anchor it down. So, for now, make certain the container has drainage holes and they are not clogged. Stand the palm upright and rework the soil around the root ball. Avoid packing the wet soil too tightly since this can decrease air circulation. Once the palm is upright and planted properly you will want to allow the soil to dry before adding any additional moisture. Keep in mind that the light levels are much lower now and will continue to decrease throughout the winter, so hopefully you have a space in your home with a south-facing window or an area that is brightly lit for your tropical to over-winter. Your palm will not need as much moisture this time of year as it did during the summer, especially if it were living outside. Not to worry, there is no real harm done here. Just get it indoors before the temperatures really drop!
