Foxtail Palm Tree Growth Rate – Is It Fast?
Native to Australia, foxtail palm is a fast-growing plant. Botanically known as Wodyetia bifurcate, the plant is commonly found in areas where winter temperatures are warm too.
You can spot the palm in warmer zones of America like South Florida. Therein the foxtail palm tree growth rate is excellent. Not just that, everywhere where the Foxtail Palm can get access to the tropical climate, it thrives.
Also, the palm can survive well in a variety of soils. It is tolerant, but its only soil prerequisite is that the soil should be acidic or neutral. However, the acidic content should not be unbearably high. Regardless, the soil should be well-draining to ensure there is no sitting water as that could often become a cause of root rotting.
For anyone who lives in salt-prone areas or the ocean fronts, the foxtail palm can be one of the best choices for planters. It is because the foxtail palm enjoys salty sea wind and spray. Ideally, the palm is planted on its own, but the visual appeal of clustered or grouped palm is magnificent.
It changes the whole vibe to tropical and elevates the beauty of the space. In this guide below, we will talk about how fast do foxtail palms grow.
Jump To
- Are Foxtail Palms Hard To Grow?
- Do Foxtail Palms Grow Fast?
- How Long Does It Take A Palm Tree To Grow To Maturity?
- How Can I Make My Foxtail Palm Grow Faster?
- Foxtail Palm Care Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
Are Foxtail Palms Hard To Grow?
Let us first understand whether the foxtail palms are difficult or easy to grow. Fortunately for you, foxtail palms are pretty easy to grow. You can grow them worry-free in several different kinds of climate and soil conditions.
They can tolerate the most challenging alkaline limestone and rocky sands. So, the foxtail palm growth rate per year is excellent, and they are also very effortless to grow.
Do Foxtail Palms Grow Fast?
How fast do foxtail palms grow? Do they grow fast enough? Yes, foxtail palms are fast-growing. They can acquire an excellent height if planted in tropical and sub-tropical climates.
Further, the plant needs plenty of water, well-draining soil, and full sun. Hence, their growth rate is pretty good if exposed to the right conditions.
Upon maturity, the plant yields red fruits. The seed germination process takes about three to four months. Hence, it is exemplary in the landscape where it is planted.
How Long Does It Take A Palm Tree To Grow To Maturity?
The Foxtail palm is one of the fastest growing palms. Under normal living conditions, the palm can acquire a height of about two to three feet in a year.
In a decade, it can grow up to 30-feet. Any home planter, a nursery planter, or a hobbyist plant grower who needs a rapid-growing, low-maintenance plant for shading purposes will find the best selection in the foxtail palm.
Beyond the excellent foxtail palm tree growth rate, another incredible thing about the plant is its ability to tolerate drought conditions. So, planters who forget to water the plant frequently will love this plant.
How fast do foxtail palms grow and how soon do they acquire maturity? Given the excellent foxtail palm growth rate per year, the plant takes about 12 years to reach maturity. A mature plant yields a cluster of flowers at the crown shaft’s base. The base then produces white flowers.
You will find both male and female flowers on the plant. It is a monoecious plant, meaning it can self-fertilize. After fertilization, the female flowers will yield large green, oval-shaped green fruits.
Upon maturity, the green fruits turn orangish-red. Each fruit is single-seeded and 24/4 inches long, and 14/4 inches wide.
How Can I Make My Foxtail Palm Grow Faster?
The foxtail palm tree growth rate is already pretty good. But, if you wish to make it grow more rapidly, you need to take extra care. You must use a slow-release fertilizer. In addition, fertilize the foxtail palm regularly, as directed in the package manual.
Ideally, the right fertilizer would be the one that has good micronutrients and potassium. It is mandatory to select a potassium-rich fertilizer to avoid any potassium deficiency, which is rampant amongst the palms. In addition, the fertilizer should be rich in vitamins.
In addition, if you wish to create a dramatic effect with the foxtail palms, you can grow them in a cluster of three or four plants. In well-lit surroundings, they will look spectacular and add to the garden’s appeal.
Also, since the foxtail palm growth rate per year is high and they tend to spread far and wide, ensure that you leave ample space between the plants to allow the trunk and fronds to grow well.
Further, the choice of soil can also influence how fast do foxtail palms grow in your garden. See, the problem with the foxtail palms is that they thrive in sandy soils. The thing with sandy soil is that they tend to suck out the vital minerals, nutrients, and vitamins from the soil.
Hence, when you use plant food, ensure that you work to eliminate these deficiencies. Never over-fertilize the palm. Lastly, to amplify the growth rate, you must also prune the plant to leave it healthy and green and eliminate all the dead fronds from the plant.
Related Growth Guide: Mexican Palm, Areca Palm, Pygmy Palm, Ponytail Palm, European Palm
Care Tips To Enhance Foxtail Palm Tree Growth Rate
Here is a guideline to take good care of the foxtail palms.
1. Sun
Ideally, you must place your foxtail palms in the area that receives full sun. However, if they get at least six hours of direct sun every day, it is sufficient for the plant. You can keep the plants in the shade, but that will restrict the rampant growth of the palm plant and make it prone to fungal diseases.
2. Pots
The choice of pot or the container used should be large enough to accommodate the giant root system of the plant easily. Of course, you can start with the seeds in a tiny container, but as soon as the germination happens, the replantation to a bigger pot must happen.
3. Soil
Foxtail palms enjoy well-drained, sandy soil.
4. Humidity
Tropical regions are the best environments for the foxtail palms because they thrive in a humid climate. However, if there is less humidity in the air, you can consider misting your plant every day.
5. Water
Even though the foxtail palms are drought-resistant, they need optimum water to show adequate growth and look good. You must try to water the palm regularly for at least 24 months.
6. Mulching
Mulching is a vital step in the care of the foxtail palms. It helps the plant retain its moisture and survive drought periods. Mulching is also essential to avoid weed growth. However, mulching must not crowd the trunk.
7. Fertilizer
To ensure that your palms look fresh and green, you must use a slow-releasing, water-soluble fertilizer designed particularly for the palms. Also, do not over-fertilize the plant.
For this, you need to read the package directions and feed the plant as stated by the manufacturer. To achieve green foliage, pick a fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen. In addition, the fertilizer should also have micronutrients and trace elements.
8. Pruning
Anytime you see the dead ends or the dried leaves on the plant, you should prune them. However, be careful, and use a pruning-specific tool to ensure you do not end up chopping more than what’s needed.
Related: Palm Tree Lifespan
Foxtail Palm Tree Growth Rate & FAQs
Ques 1. What is the difference between a royal palm and a foxtail palm?
Ans. The royal palm has a bright green crown shaft and a smooth gray trunk. A full-grown royal palm is about 50-80 feet tall. Because of its clean, bootless look and tail height, it is one of the most popular landscape plants.
On the other hand, the foxtail palm has a plume-like or feathery appearance because of its plumose leaves.
Ques 2. What is the difference between a Christmas palm and a foxtail palm?
Ans. The primary difference lies in the foliage. The Christmas palm has relatively bigger leaflets, and the leaflets in the Foxtail are narrow.
Also, the number of leaflets in the Foxtail palm is higher than that of the Christmas palm. Lastly, the light requirement for the Foxtail palm is higher than for the Christmas palm.
Related: How to grow Christmas palm?
Ques 3. Are foxtail palms poisonous to dogs?
Ans. The seeds in the foxtail palms are poisonous if ingested.
Ques 4. How tall do foxtail palm trees grow?
Ans. Foxtail palm trees are fast-growing and can acquire a height of about 30-feet.
Ques 5. How much does a foxtail cost?
Ans. A foxtail palm price online must vary with different sellers and depend on the plant’s height. The price ranges from $20 to $500 depending upon the size of the palm.
Ques 6. Can you eat foxtail palm fruit?
Ans. Foxtail palm fruits could be toxic. It is best to stay clear of them.
Ques 7. Do foxtail palms have a big root system?
Ans. Foxtail palms have big and deep roots. So, please plant them at least 10-15 feet apart. Also, you need to use deep watering methods instead of frequent or shallow watering. With deep watering, the plants tend to store water within the roots, making them survive even extended periods of drought.
Ques 8. Are the roots of foxtail palms invasive?
Ans. No, the roots of foxtail palms are not invasive.
Ques 9. How do you know when a foxtail palm is dying?
Ans. You can spot a dying palm tree when you see the following problems:
- The appearance of holes in the trunk from a disease or an untreated pest
- Yellowing, wilting, or browning fronds
- Younger fronds start falling off
- Discoloration of the younger fronds
- The tree’s nucleus starts browning
Now that you know how fast do foxtail palms grow, go get one for your garden and care for it right.
