Can golden cane palms grow in full sun? | Yes + when part-shade is better

Golden cane palms will grow well in full sun particularly if you live in a tropical or sub-tropical area. They love a lot a light and regular water to grow well. For areas that get very hot during summer, golden cane palms will grow better if they get afternoon shade. For palms planted in dark colored pots, part shade will stop them from drying out as quickly.

Check out this guide to growing a golden cane palm in full sun and when you shouldn’t

Why golden cane palms will thrive in full sun

Golden cane palms can grow in full sun in tropical and sub-tropical areas. These palms originate from Madagascar that has a warm, humid climate and hot bright sunlight. These palms will thrive in a tropical style garden and can form a perfect feature tree for the corner of your yard.

A golden cane palm that gets full sun will be able to photosynthesize efficiently forming dark green leaves and healthy yellow stems. The plant creates its own carbohydrates through the process of photosynthesis using the chlorophyll in its leaves.

A full sun position will also help to prevent the soil from staying moist for too long. While these palms love regular water, they hate having wet roots. A full sun position will help the soil to dry out and avoid soggy wet patches which can rot the roots.

When you should give your palm some shade

While a golden cane palm loves full sun, there are some circumstances where part shade will help it to grow well. Check out these things to consider when you are choosing the perfect place for your palm.

1. When they are in dark colored pots

For golden cane palms that are planted outdoors in dark colored pots, it may be good to consider a part shade position. These palms look fantastic in a dark gray, modern pot but these dark colored pots can heat up rapidly in the sun.

In the heat of summer a black or dark gray pot can increase in temperature and dry out the soil for the palm. It will also radiate heat up to the leaves of the palm and can cause a type of mild sunburn.

If you live in a very hot climate placing a dark pot in part shade will stop the soil from drying out and affecting the palm. Dry soil can slow the palm’s growth and even if there is no leaf damage, it may not grow to the height you expect.

Place dark colored pots in afternoon shade to protect the palm and keep the soil moist for longer.

2. Windy areas

Golden cane palms grown in exposed areas can suffer more from the heat of the sun than those in protected areas. Hot, dry winds can dry out the palm quickly and cause the top layers of soil to dry out. You may also notice the leaves turning brown on the edges. This is a sign of lack of water.

For palms that are exposed to hot, dry winds, make sure they have a 3 inch layer of mulch around their root base to protect the soil and hold the water in. This will reduce evaporation and keep the root system moist.

Plant other palms or shrubs nearby to protect them from the wind. Forming a screen with the palms or planting other trees nearby will help to form a wind break for the palms and your home.

3. Concrete or paving

Golden cane palms grown in pots and placed on paving can heat up quickly in a full-sun position. Placing the pot on mulch or in a position that gets afternoon shade can reduce the reflected heat that can come from concrete or pavers.

Golden cane palms grown near pools will benefit from the cooling affect of being near water. Keep their base away from paving or the pool itself if you are planning to plant it in the ground.

Can golden cane palms live outside?

Golden cane palms can thrive outside if you live in a warm tropical or sub-tropical climate. For cooler regions, they may struggle with cold winter nights, frosts or definitely snow.

Plant golden cane palms outdoors in soil improved with compost and aged cow manure and water them well. A 3 inch layer of bark mulch will help to protect their roots from drying out.

If you live in a cooler region, the golden cane palm makes a perfect indoor palm and will thrive near a bright window.

What to do if golden cane palms get sunburnt

Golden cane palms can suffer from sunburn if they are out in very hot full sun for an extended period of time. For days with unseasonably hot weather it can be difficult to protect your palm from this excessive heat. A piece of shade cloth draped over the leaves can be a good way to shade the leaves for a short period of time.

This does rely on you being around and remembering to do this. If the leaves do suffer damage, don’t worry it can be fixed.

Water the palm in the morning if very hot days are predicted. Wait until the very hot weather has passed and then you can look at removing the damaged leaves. Leave any damaged leaves on until there is no more extreme hot weather predicted as the damage leaves will protect the healthy ones.

Grab some clean, sharp secateurs and remove any leaves that have turned brown on the ends down at the base. Any brown leaves will not recover so remove them to give the plant room to grow more.

Regular water is great for a recovering golden cane palm and with a bit of care they will spring quickly back to life.

Can golden cane palms grow in full sun? | Summary

Golden cane palms can grow well in full sun as they can increase their rate of photosynthesis and grow new stems and leaves. These plants can also be grown successfully in part shade or even full shade in tropical climates and are very versatile. The key to success is regular water and humidity and the palm will thrive.