Light. Takes anything from full sun to deep shade. Unlike most landscape palms it grows well in shade, and it is popular indoors.
Water. It has moderate drought tolerance and needs soil that drains well.
Soil and feeding. Give it well-drained, reasonably fertile soil; clay, sand or loam all work. Potassium deficiency is very common and shows as brown spots on the leaflets, so feed with a palm fertilizer such as Palm Special.
Size. Grows to about 15 ft. Mature clumps can reach 25 ft tall and 15 ft wide, with many stems.
Pruning. Remove only spent flower stalks, immature fruit and brown fronds; green fronds feed new growth. Each stem dies after it flowers, so cut dead stems out.
Problems to watch. Spider mites and scale are serious pests, especially indoors; spray with Insecticidal Soap. It is susceptible to lethal yellowing.
Good to know. It has low salt tolerance. Outdoors, a spot sheltered from cold suits it best.
Sources: UF/IFAS EDIS ENH283: Caryota mitis, Fishtail Palm · UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County: Foolproof Palm Care, Fishtail Palm
