The cobbler's palm (Aspidistra) or butcher's palm is a perfect houseplant for those who don't have a green thumb. It's easy to care for and you don't have to overdo it when watering.
The cobbler's palm (Aspidistra) has little in common with the traditional palm trees. The plant, also known as Butcher Palm, is a herbaceous plant that does not form a stem. The leathery, lush green leaves grow directly from the rhizome.
The cobbler's palm is an ideal beginner's plant that forgives some care mistakes. Drafts cannot harm the iron plant and temperature fluctuations are also tolerated. Nevertheless, the plant is grateful for species-appropriate care and cultivation.
Cobbler Palm Origin
The home of the shoemaker's palm is East Asia. The plants are native to the forested areas of Japan and China. Deposits can also be found in the Himalayas. The robust plants quickly became native to Europe and are only cultivated as indoor plants in our latitudes.
Cobbler palms are often found in shops, offices or restaurants as easy-care greenery. The elongated leaves can also be nicely arranged in flower arrangements.
Special features of the shoemaker palm
When looking at the cobbler's palm, the plant lover looks almost in vain for characteristics of ordinary palms. The cobbler palm belongs to the asparagus family and grows herbaceously. The butcher palm grows to a height of about 70 centimeters and develops its leaves directly on the rhizome.
The right location for the shoemaker palm
The ideal location for the easy-care plant is in the semi-shade to shade. The cobbler palm also tolerates rather poorly lit locations. But the plant lover then has to be satisfied with sparse growth.
» Tip: The cobbler's palm grows very well, even in locations that turn out to be too dark for the majority of indoor plants.
A sunny location is not suitable for the shoemaker's palm. The leaves would burn. Variegated cobbler palms need a lighter stand. So that the pretty leaf markings are not lost, the brightness should bebe at least 800 to 1.0 lux.
Selecting the ideal substrate
When it comes to the choice of substrate, the shoemaker palm is quite demanding. Normal potting soil is not tolerated. The ground is usually too heavy to ensure the ideal permeability of air and water.
The substrate for the butcher palm consists of the following components:
- Potting Soil
- peat
- Humus
- lava granules
- quartz sand
This is ensured by the following mixing ratio:
- Three to five portions of potting soil with hummus or peat
- two to three portions of soil with clay
- two portions of quartz sand
- two portions of lava granulate (optionally also pumice gravel)
Planting and transplanting cobbler palms
The shoemaker's palm should not be repotted too often, if possible only every four to five years. If the plant pot is apparently too small and the roots are already sticking out of the container, a larger plant pot is required.
Repot the cobbler palm - this is how it's done
- get a bigger planter
- Mix substrate
- Remove plant from plant pot
- Strip soil from root ball
- Control Roots
- Remove diseased or wilted shoots and root tips
- Place drainage made of gravel or potsherds on the bottom of the container
- fill in a few centimeters of substrate
- Insert the shoemaker palm
- Fill substrate
- Press the earth well
- Water the cobbler palm
» Tip: Choose a sufficiently large planter so that you don't have to repot too often.
Water the cobbler palm correctly
The shoemaker palm needs moderate amounts of liquid. However, the root ball must not dry out. Before pouring, a finger test is a good idea. At least two-thirds of the soil should feel dry before you need to water.
But it shouldn't be watered too little either. The large, lush green leaves evaporate large amounts of moisture. In winter there is less watering. The cobbler palm usually copes well with temperature fluctuations and also forgives beginner mistakes when watering. Waterlogging alone is not tolerated.
» Note: Waterlogging is signaled by the brown tips of the cobbler's palm.
Fertilize cobbler palm properly
Cobbler palms have low nutrient requirements. You should therefore hold back with the fertilization. Over-fertilizing the plant will result in the leaves tearing.
During the growth period, cobbler palms can be supplied with a commercially available liquid fertilizer for green plants. Is fertilized in 14-day intervals. It is also possible to administer a long-term fertilizer in spring.
Cobbler palm multiply
The shoemaker palm can be propagated by dividing the rhizomes. This is preferably done in early spring. Each section should have at least two leaves.
In order to root the individual sections, no separate planters have to be used. Several rhizomes can be placed in a larger plant pot.
» Attention: After the cobbler palm has propagated, no fertilization should be done. This could cause stunted growth in the young plants.
Cobbler palm - pretty varieties
Cobbler palms have almost become a rarity in the plant trade. Totally wrongly, the demand has fallen noticeably in recent years.
With a bit of luck, you can still buy some pretty varieties:
Cobbler Palms
Ginga Giant
Milky Way
Lennon`s Song
Snow Cap
Characteristics
Yellow dotted leaves
Upright habit, leaves lanceolate
White line across leaf center
White leaf tips
Recognize diseases and pests on the shoemaker palm
If the shoemaker's palm is too cool, it is susceptible to infestation with red spiders, mealybugs and mealybugs. The plant must then be checked regularly. If an infestation is noticed, it is sufficient to shower off the butcher palm with water to which some washing-up liquid has been added. The pests can then be stripped off. Regular checks are advisable.
Cobbler palm in winter
The cobbler palm can stand cooler in winter, but is not frost hardy. The temperatures should not drop below four degrees. Values around ten degrees are ideal. A semi-shady stand is to be maintained. Watering is moderate. Fertilization must be stopped completely.