Full Size Fishtail Palm

What is the Fishtail palm? The lovely Fishtail palm has unusual leaves: The overall shape and the ragged, feathery edges make them look like a fish’s swishy tail. The leaves are known to make excellent thatch, but if you don’t plan to thatch a roof anytime soon, they also have heavy air-purifying skills. That’s one reason to keep the Fishtail palm indoors. The big Fishtail palm plant has an odd life cycle; it flowers when it reaches maturity, then dies when it’s done fruiting. You can’t even eat the Fishtail palm fruits (berries), but luckily the period of showy purple flowers can last 5-7 years.  How tall is the Fishtail palm’s height? They are currently 5.5ft to 7ft tall, but fishtail palms can grow up to 10 feet tall indoors!  Fishtail palm benefits Its unique leaves and large size make it a real statement piece. It flowers for years, and the flowers are a lovely shade of purple. It’s an excellent air-purifying plant. You don’t have to make a lifelong commitment if you’re not ready for that kind of pressure.  Is the Fishtail palm the right plant for you? The Fishtail palm plant is gorgeous and unique, fairly flexible about light, and—most of all—it’s a Big Plant. If you want to make a striking statement, try the Fishtail. However, the Fishtail will die after flowering (which could be as early as 5-7 years from now). But we think the little bit of heartbreak is offset by the stunning show of flowering for half a decade. Fishtail lives a bright, flashy life. Care difficulties for a fishtail palm The Fishtail palm is a medium difficulty big plant: If you’ve successfully kept a few plants alive but don’t want to stress over it, this is the level for you. Does the Fishtail palm like sun or shade? Fishtail loves the sun—ideally bright but filtered light. She’ll grow faster the longer she gets to bask in those rays. She’s a morning person, so try an eastern window. Not sure what kind of light you have? Check out our indoor lighting guide. How often does the Fishtail palm need to be watered? Water every 2 weeks or so, wait until the first 2 inches of the soil dries, make sure you have excellent drainage so her roots don’t rot. Does the Fishtail palm have any special requirements? The Fishtail palm tree is always looking for a snack, so fertilize it two or three times—or even monthly—during the growing season. Trim off the leaves when they turn brown and die. Fishy likes humidity, so try a humidifier nearby. Or mist the leaves regularly. Or place her pot over a tray of rocks and keep them watered, so that the evaporation keeps Fishtail cozy. Is the Fishtail palm safe for pets? Fishtail palms are not safe for pets, as the berries are mildly poisonous. And in our book, any amount of poisonous is too poisonous to keep around our furry friends. Must know before buying a Fishtail palm It’s not safe for pets or children. It dies within a decade. It likes humidity and fertilizer. It wants moist, well-drained soil. It likes bright, filtered light—more bright than filtered.