Bismarck Palm inside over winter

[Jeff Ancaster]

I would like to solicit any advice from folks who have kept a Bismarck Palm indoors in a pot over the winter. My new Bismarck did very well in the original pot during the summer months and I have selectively removed leaves for a tighter structure and brought it inside in the original pot. It is now in a south west facing window and I would like to know about watering, fertilizing (I have a palm specific fert that I’ve been using) and what to look out for. 
 

I look forward to any help from the community and to discuss this amazing plant too! 
 

Jeff 

[Harry’s Palms]

I’m not sure it will get enough natural light in a home environment . What little I know about these palms , they want warm sunny location in a temperate climate. I don’t know if they can survive indoors. Hopefully someone will contribute some information . Harry

[PalmsInBaltimore]

8 minutes ago, Harry’s Palms said:

I’m not sure it will get enough natural light in a home environment . What little I know about these palms , they want warm sunny location in a temperate climate. I don’t know if they can survive indoors.

I was thinking the same thing. I've never heard of this being done before. Not to say it can't be, but please keep us updated on its progress in winter and then once you move it back outside next year.

 

14 hours ago, Jeff Ancaster said:

It is now in a south west facing window and I would like to know about watering, fertilizing (I have a palm specific fert that I’ve been using) and what to look out for. 

1) I would not fertilize this one until next spring/summer.

2) Cut back dramatically on watering now that it is inside. I think the pot size is appropriate enough, probably could be deeper. Probably not good to let it get rootbound, but not something to worry about right now. Absolutely DO NOT repot it this time of year. Transplanting Bismarkias almost always causes damage to their roots, and they are set back by this way more than other palms. 

Let the soil dry out completely before giving it a good drench. This may only be required once a month depending on how dry your home is in the winter.

3) What to look out for? 

14 hours ago, Jeff Ancaster said:

My new Bismarck did very well in the original pot during the summer months and I have selectively removed leaves for a tighter structure

One of the first problems you're going to encounter is that palms leaves produced under full sun do not do well in typical interior conditions. Container palms that are mass produced for sale as "house plants" are acclimatized to shade conditions for at least an entire year before going to the big box store. 

On top of that, while it makes sense why you trimmed some leaves for it to fit inside your house, the palm could really use those leaves now that it is shut inside until next year. The palm would have drawn nutrients from the lower fronds to continue growth, however slow, inside. Now it will not have those resources to draw upon. 

I think the light is going to be a big limiting factor here. Have you ever used a light meter inside vs outside? Full shade outdoors is brighter than a south facing window inside, unless direct sunlight is shining through the glass. Move even an inch or two away from the sunbeams and it's not as bright. Our eyes are too good at adjusting to dark light levels and we are bad at judging how bright somewhere is unless it's so bright that we have to squint.

A southern facing window like what you have is going to be the best you can offer. At least in the winter the sun is lower, so sunbeams actually shine directly through the windows more so than they do in the summer.

You're going to have to watch out for leaves drooping, discoloring, blotching. I would expect some yellowing, but hopefully the heart of the palm remains green. If it starts looking really bad, you may need to consider supplemental lighting. Overwatering is probably the second most important thing to look out for. 

How heavy is it? On nice days you should be prepared to take it outside and blast it with winter sun, but if it's raining don't let it get too wet!

[PalmsInBaltimore]

Also yes an amazing plant. Best wishes for yours it is worth fighting to keep it thriving as best you can

[Jeff Ancaster]

Thanks everyone for the detailed information. I think I will get a grow light to supplement the natural light from the window. I will also hold back on weekly watering that I do with other plants and not give it fert until next spring. 
 

She is a beauty, I’ll update as the winter progresses. 

[PalmX]

6 hours ago, Jeff Ancaster said:

Thanks everyone for the detailed information. I think I will get a grow light to supplement the natural light from the window. I will also hold back on weekly watering that I do with other plants and not give it fert until next spring. 
 

She is a beauty, I’ll update as the winter progresses. 

Jeff, I posted a similar question to you last year. I had the same size Bismarck and it needed to be repotted but due to the size I didn't want to waste the money upsizing if it was doomed indoors.

I was encouraged with the responses, so I repotted it in Foxfarm/chunky perlite soil and put it in a south facing patio door window. I'm glad I did because only two fronds died off during the winter and one full new one was put out. It's done great this summer and is currently being acclimated to coming back indoors (which is equally as important as acclimating them to full sun). 

What worked for me was:

1) Repotting tricked the palm into growing roots, rather than hibernating due to the sudden change in lower heat and light. (acclimating to this change will help too - slowly move the palm into full shade over two weeks before bringing in.)

2) It was getting supplemental light from Rousseau Plant Care pendant light.

3) I use Palm Gain every 6 weeks when outside, but when inside I fertilize every watering using Rousseau Plant Care Aroid food. It's a very dilute liquid fertilizer designed for every watering. IMO It keeps the palm healthy for inside conditions, but not actively growing like a full on palm fertilizer will.  I use this combo on all my indoor plants, and it worked like a charm for the palm as well.  I probably water every 3 weeks or so.