James H. Schutte
Family
Arecaceae
Botanical Name
Rhapis excelsa
Plant Common Name
Lady Palm
General Description
Graceful lady palms are among the best for shade. Native to southern China, they are petite, clumping and moderate to slow growing. The straight, thin stems or trunks are clothed in dense, dark brown, matted fibers and leaf bases. Clumps may eventually have hundreds of stems. The leaves are often clustered at the ends of the stems, divided and shaped like a hand – palmate. The tips of the leaflets are bluntly toothed, pointed and the leaf color is very dark, shiny green. Small flowers are produced on short, branched stalks among the upper leaves and are inconspicuous. Small, white round fruits follow the flowers. There are many cultivars including variegated forms which are highly valued as interior specimens.
Beautiful and tough lady palms are easy to grow and a good choice for landscapes in frost-free locations or as an interior specimen anywhere. They are tolerant of most soils with ample drainage. However, this palm grows best with evenly moist conditions. Planted outside, partial to full shade is best as full sun causes the leaves to yellow. Inside, provide moderate, indirect light, though they will tolerate low light conditions. Prune by removal of whole canes and propagate by division of the clumps or by seed. Lady palms make great screens, accent plants, hedges and houseplants.
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
12 - 10
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 15
-
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
-
Plant Type
Palm or Cycad
-
Sun Exposure
Partial Shade, Full Shade
-
Height
5'-15' / 1.5m - 4.6m
-
Width
3'-30' / 0.9m - 9.1m
-
Bloom Time
Indeterminate
-
Native To
China
Growing Conditions
-
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
-
Soil Drainage
Well Drained
-
Soil type
Loam, Sand
-
Tolerances
Drought, Salt
-
Growth Rate
Slow
-
Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
-
Habit
Upright/Erect
-
Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Insignificant
-
Flower Color
White
-
Fruit Color
White
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Dark Green
-
Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green
-
Foliage Color (Fall)
Dark Green
-
Foliage Color (Winter)
Dark Green
-
Fragrant Flowers
No
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Repeat Bloomer
No
-
Showy Fruit
No
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
Yes
-
Foliage Texture
Coarse
-
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
-
Evergreen
Yes
-
Showy Bark
Yes
Special Characteristics
-
Usage
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Tropical
-
Sharp or Has Thorns
No
-
Invasive
No
-
Self-Sowing
No
