A clumping fan palm with glossy, finger-like fronds on slender bamboo-like canes. Pet-safe, shade-tolerant and refined, excellent for low-light interiors.
At a glance
- Plant type: Palm or cycad
- Mature size: 2 m H × 1.2 m W
- Aspect: part shade or morning sun and shade and low-light positions
- Water: regular, moderate watering
- Frost: tender
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Exotic
About Lady Palm
Botanically, Rhapis excelsa is a slow-growing palm or cycad in the Arecaceae family. It reaches around 2 m tall and 1.2 m wide at maturity, with evergreen foliage.
Where to grow Lady Palm
Lady Palm suits subtropical climates and grows best in part shade or morning sun and shade and low-light positions. It is frost tender, so protect it from hard frosts or grow it in a sheltered spot or pot.
Soil & planting
Most soils suit Lady Palm provided drainage is reasonable. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool.
Watering & feeding
Lady Palm does best with regular, moderate watering. Refresh mulch and provide a modest balanced feed at the start of spring. Check moisture below the mulch during establishment and water thoroughly when needed rather than following a rigid schedule.
Pruning & care
Tip-prune Lady Palm in spring to maintain a dense, shapely habit. Overall it is low maintenance.
Using Lady Palm in the garden
Lady Palm earns its place for pots and courtyard containers and a feature or specimen planting. It is equally at home in the ground or a large pot on a balcony or courtyard.
Companion planting & design
Combine Lady Palm with plants that share its preference for regular, moderate watering and subtropical climate. Use an odd-numbered group where space allows, or repeat it at intervals through a longer bed.
Good to know
It is regarded as non-toxic and pet-safe.
Buying Lady Palm
Plant Sale lists Lady Palm as potted plants and advanced specimens. Current stock is confirmed manually, so register interest above before planning around a specific size.
