| Neutral | palmbob | On Mar 18, 2007, palmbob from Tarzana, CA (Zone 9b) wrote: This is an extremely variable species from Thailand... low growing, suckering palm that is fairly harmless, except for the seeds (oxylates). Here in California this is a pretty marginal palm, and though I was able to keep it alive for 6 years in zone 9b, I sure wouldn't call it happy. But even in better zones it is marginal, since it hates low humidity. It can handle some frost, but does not like hot, drying suns, winds, salt or bad water. Most folks who grow this successfully in California use filter or reverse osmosis water, full shade, wind protection and live nearish the coast. Does much better in Florida, where it might qualify as a decent zone 9b palm there.
Grown in Thailand as a potted palm, often, and some forms have extremely thin leaflets while others have very wide, unusual ones. The typical form has fishtail leaflets. Some think Arenga hookeri is a form of this palm, but it is very cold intolerant, so at least horticulturally, it differs quite a bit. |
