Small Jelly Palm Plant Care
Butia microspadix Burret
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Butia microspadix is a very small species of grass-like Butia palm usually with an underground trunk; native to the states of Paraná and São Paulo in Brazil.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–90°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Small Jelly Palm?
Water Small Jelly Palm every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–90°F (10–32°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Small Jelly Palm Native To?
What Is the Small Jelly Palm?
Small Jelly Palm (Butia microspadix) belongs to the Arecaceae family within the Butia genus. Small Jelly Palm is native to the states of Paraná and São Paulo in Brazil. Small Jelly Palm is also known as Small Pindo Palm.
Small Jelly Palm displays a single trunk palm growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Small Jelly Palm produces creamy yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 36 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Small Jelly Palm?
Butia microspadix requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Small Jelly Palm Need?
Small Jelly Palm thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Small Jelly Palm Prefer?
Butia microspadix grows best at temperatures of 50–90°F. Small Jelly Palm prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–90°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Small Jelly Palm?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Small Jelly Palm to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Small Jelly Palm?
Feed Small Jelly Palm every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Small Jelly Palm?
Repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Small Jelly Palm?
Small Jelly Palm can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pindo palm plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Small Jelly Palm Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Small Jelly Palm, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Small Jelly Palm?
Small Jelly Palm is susceptible to spider mites, palm aphids. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Small Jelly Palm Need?
Small Jelly Palm grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Small Jelly Palm is native to the states of Paraná and São Paulo in Brazil. In cooler regions, grow Small Jelly Palm as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Small Jelly Palm is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Butia genus — compare its care with other Butia species on PlantoScan.
Butia is part of the Arecaceae plant family — browse all Arecaceae genera and species.
Small Jelly Palm thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Butia Species
Other Butia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Butia microspadix Burret, family Arecaceae (first published in Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 10: 1050 (1930)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Small Jelly Palm, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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