Syagrus smithii Plant Care
Syagrus smithii (H.E.Moore) Glassman
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Syagrus smithii is a species of palm tree found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–85°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Syagrus smithii?
Water Syagrus smithii 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 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Syagrus smithii?
Syagrus smithii (Syagrus smithii) belongs to the Arecaceae family within the Syagrus genus. Syagrus smithii is native to Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
Syagrus smithii displays a tall, single-trunk palm growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Syagrus smithii produces creamy white to yellowish flowers in large clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 36 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Syagrus smithii?
Syagrus smithii 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 Syagrus smithii Need?
Syagrus smithii thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Syagrus smithii Prefer?
Syagrus smithii grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Syagrus smithii prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Syagrus smithii?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Syagrus smithii to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Syagrus smithii?
Feed Syagrus smithii every 6 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 6 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 Syagrus smithii?
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 Syagrus smithii?
Syagrus smithii can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to syagrus botryophora plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Syagrus smithii Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Syagrus smithii, 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 Syagrus smithii?
Syagrus smithii is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects. 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 Syagrus smithii Need?
Syagrus smithii grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Syagrus smithii is native to Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. In cooler regions, grow Syagrus smithii as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Syagrus smithii 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 Syagrus genus — compare its care with other Syagrus species on PlantoScan.
Syagrus is part of the Arecaceae plant family — browse all Arecaceae genera and species.
Syagrus smithii thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Syagrus Species
Other Syagrus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Syagrus smithii (H.E.Moore) Glassman, family Arecaceae (first published in Fieldiana, Bot. 31: 231 (1970)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Syagrus smithii, 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 13b, 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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