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Adonidia Merrillii

5.0 out of 5 (1 experiences)

Fast grower

About Adonidia Merrillii

The Christmas Palm grows quickly to about 6 feet (1.83 m), then slows, retaining its shape until it reaches its maximum height of 25 feet (7.62 m). It supports stiff, arching green leaves that are 4-5 feet long. In mid-summer, it produces small clusters of cream-colored flowers and green fruit. In winter, the mature fruit turns bright red. It is sensitive to frost and freezing temperatures, so it's best planted in a container that can be moved indoors during the winter.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Adonidia merrillii

Genus

Adonidia

Family

Arecaceae

Order

Arecales

Also known as

Christmas Palm, Christmas Palm and Manila Palm

How to care for Adonidia Merrillii

💦 Water

How often to water your Adonidia Merrillii

Adonidia Merrillii needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Christmas Palm in your home

Adonidia Merrillii love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Adonidia Merrillii does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Adonidia Merrillii in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Adonidia Merrillii

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Adonidia Merrillii: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Adonidia Merrillii after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #ChristmasPalm

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Adonidia Merrillii is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

How to Grow Christmas Palm →

Benefits of Growing Christmas Palm →

Common Christmas Palm Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Christmas Palm →

💦 Water Needs

Adonidia Merrillii prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Christmas Palm Water Frequency →

Christmas Palm Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Adonidia Merrillii requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Christmas Palm Light Requirements →

Christmas Palm Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Adonidia Merrillii is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

Is Christmas Palm Edible? →

Christmas Palm Toxicity to Cats →

Christmas Palm Toxicity to Dogs →

Christmas Palm Toxicity to Humans →

💨 Humidity

Adonidia Merrillii prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Christmas Palm Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Adonidia Merrillii does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Christmas Palm →

Best Pots for Christmas Palm →

When and How to Successfully Repot Christmas Palm →

What Are Healthy Christmas Palm Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Adonidia Merrillii is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

How Much and When to Fertilize Christmas Palm →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Adonidia Merrillii grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Christmas Palm Lifecycle →

Christmas Palm Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Christmas Palm →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Adonidia Merrillii can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Christmas Palm Temperature Tolerance →

Christmas Palm Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Christmas Palm →

When to Plant Christmas Palm →

How to Plant Christmas Palm →

Where to Plant Christmas Palm →

Winter Care for Christmas Palm →

Best Companion Plants for Christmas Palm →

Is Christmas Palm a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Adonidia Merrillii can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Christmas Palm →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Adonidia Merrillii, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.