How to Fertilize a Queen Palm

Queen palms are a favorite plant for homeowners everywhere. In tropical environments they serve as majestic centerpieces in an indigenous landscaping theme, while in northern locales they tend to be grown indoors as miniature versions of their more robust southern counterparts. Whatever the location, getting the proper blend of minerals and nutrients to a queen palm is vital to both its short- and long-term health. Using a regular fertilizer won't cut it; you'll have to look for a more targeted additive if you want the best results.

Palm-specific granular fertilizer

Manganese stakes or pellets

Visit a local gardening store to find palm fertilizers. Stock up if you are in a northern region where stores don't regularly carry these fertilizers; otherwise, you may find yourself and your tree without the proper nutrients when they are needed.

Place manganese stakes in the soil next to the root ball of the queen palm about two to three times per year. These are slow-release formulations that deliver the nutrient that queen palms most often run low on: manganese. Using stakes ensures that your queen palm won't run low on this mineral throughout the year.

Supplement your palm fertilizer stakes with a granular, palm-specific fertilizer (also found at local gardening stores). These provide a quicker dose of nutrients than the stakes, and should be used on an as-needed basis. At first planting, deliver a dose of granular palm fertilizer to the root ball at the same time you place a manganese stake in the soil. Then, apply as often as you notice yellowing on the leaves or a somewhat languid appearance in the plant.