How to Care for Indoor Palm Trees & Indoor Plants

Place your palm tree in the brightest available location in the home, such as close to a west- or south-facing window. Some plants, such as ferns, need indirect sunshine, but palms thrive in direct morning or afternoon sunlight. Rotating the pot every week ensures even growth.

Irrigate the palm with room-temperature water when the top inch of the soil is dry to the touch. Thoroughly soak all the soil in the pot and allow the excess water to drain. Never leave potted plants and palms siting in a dish of water, as this causes waterlogging and kills roots.

Fertilize your potted palms and plants once a month during the warmest six months of the year. Use a liquid fertilizer formulated for houseplants. Monitor your plant's soil and flush the soil with abundant water as soon as you see any white buildup of fertilizer salts on the surface.

Keep your potted palms and other houseplants at a temperature of between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal year-round growth. Never let the temperature drop below 50 F. Keep plants out of the drafts caused by open doors, air conditioners and heaters.

Clean your plant's leaves with a water mister and a soft cloth once a week, removing all dust and dirt. Placing your plants in a dish of damp gravel raises local humidity levels. Regular misting helps prevent spider mite infestations on indoor palms. These tiny pests thrive in low humidity and cause leaves to develop yellow mottling.

Repot your palm or houseplant when it becomes top heavy or when its roots emerge from the hole at the container’s bottom. Use a pot one size larger than the original and a potting medium of 50 percent peat moss, 35 percent bark and 15 percent perlite.