The fan palm is usually not pruned. But if the fronds snap or turn brown, you can use the scissors.
Fan palms inspire with their lush green fanned leaves and amazing growth. If the fan palm has to be cut back, this is usually not wanted. Nevertheless, it is sometimes necessary that you cut the fan palm. Because cutting is part of the care of the fan palm. However, the plant will only do well afterwards if you do it right. Because there are a few things to consider when pruning a fan palm.
When is the best time to cut?
It is best to prune your fan palm in late autumn, just in time before hibernation. Because during the winter the plant stops growing and can recover from the hardships of cutting. In the spring it then grows vigorously and happily frees itself from the dead ballast.
What needs to be cut off?
While you often cut other green plants to get a nice growth and to determine the direction of growth, cutting the fan palm is only for plant care. You do not change anything about the growth or its direction by trimming. In addition, you do not prune the plant, you only remove dried and dead material. To be exact:
- brown leaves
- dead leaves
- broken leaves
- Leaf remains on trunk
The broken leaves demand your full attention. Although the individual palm fronds are relatively insensitive and do not break off too quickly, a mishap can lead to damage to the stem structure. As a result, the leaves droop and no longer stand upright on the trunk. When pruning, be bold enough to remove any fan palm leaves that hang well below the horizontal line.
How to prune the fan palm correctly
Focus only on the brown and dead leaves and leaf debris. Cut the leaves close to the stem with sharp scissors. Remnants now remain on the trunk, which you must also carefully cut off. This is important because theDry remains of old leaves not only look ugly, they can also lead to pest infestation. Fungi and pests often lodge in the small pockets that form around the trunk, damaging the plant.