Advanced Search Filters

Plant Type
Hardiness Zone
Heat Zone
Sunset Zone
Function
Sun Exposure
Soil Moisture
Water Requirement

ARCHONTOPHOENIX alexandrae

Image of Archontophoenix alexandrae

James Burghardt

Family

Arecaceae

Botanical Name

ARCHONTOPHOENIX alexandrae

Plant Common Name

Alex Palm, Alexandra Palm, Princess Alexandra Palm

General Description

Stately, tall, beautiful and fast growing, Alexandra palm, named in honor of Princess Alexandra of Denmark, lends a tropical look to the landscape. It is native to the coastal rainforest of northeastern Australia and is much planted in tropical regions around the world. The solitary palm has a slender, gray trunk, swollen base and ringed with leaf scars. The large, feather-like leaves are light green above, distinctively silver-white below with many, pointed leaflets which clasp together to form an area between the trunk and leaves which is smooth and variable in color from bright green to purple or red hued. The white to purple flowers form on pendulous, branched stalks at the area between the leaves and trunk. Red, round fruit follow.

Graceful and freeze tender, this water-loving palm is lovely planted singly or in groups. The best soil is moist, well-drained, though wet locations are tolerated and has some organic matter. It grows better if water is available during droughts. Alexandra palm will grow in full sun to part shade and is prone to nutrient deficiencies. Fertilize regularly with a complete product containing micro-elements. A beautiful palm, it will adapt to containers but requires very bright light if grown indoors.

Alexandra palm is a popular landscape specimen but is difficult to transplant; the bud must be protected when moving – it tends to shatter with even slightly rough handling. This palm has escaped cultivation in Hawaii where it is invading moist to wet native habitats. Use this palm in sub-tropical to tropical landscapes for accent, specimen planting, street tree and to impart a feeling of the tropics.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 10

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    10 - 14

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Palm or Cycad

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    20'-80' / 6.1m - 24.4m

  • Width

    15'-25' / 4.6m - 7.6m

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Australia

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Wet Site

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Arching/Fountain-shaped

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Yellow, Lavender

  • Fruit Color

    Red

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Silver

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Silver

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Silver

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Green, Silver

  • Bark Color

    Gray, Silver

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Bold

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    Yes

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Feature Plant, Street Trees, Tropical, Water Gardens

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    Sometimes

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes