Every time I bought one of these palms I would loose it to rot. It would do fine with potting soil in summer but as soon as I brought it indoors it would rot and then death. I recently bought a large adult and soil it was in was making it decline also. I recently repotted it in 30% soil and 70% coarse builders sand and put it next to the cactus bed and now its one of happiest palm I have and growing very fast. It loves as much heat as cactus. The awsome blue leaves is there reason I had to have this palm. Its so happy it bloomed and pushed out 5 very fragrant flowers. I now know its a female.