PlantFiles: Lady Palm
Rhapis excelsa

I'm growing from seed. It's slow growing.

I first thought this was a variety of bamboo because of the rhizomes. We have a brick patio and the rhizomes are actively pushing the bricks up. I'd like to know how deep to put a barrier to stop the rhizomes. Our plants are about 8 feet tall and are a beautiful sight barrier.

I am writing from Indonesia East Java.
We grow Rhapis excelsa in our nursery and we do export whole 40 feet containers to Europe.
Anybody interested in purchase of these plants:
specifications: plants average 1.20 to 1.40 meters high
average 10 stems per pot
pot size 3 gallon (25 cm)
palemhijau@indo.net.id

I have several clumps thriving in my bright but shaded garden on the north side of my home in Phoenix. They do get some direct sun for part of the day but not the intense afternoon sun. I personally don't think they are that slow to grow. Mine have tripled in size in 5 years. They give a very tropical look to any garden.

I once had a Rhapis e. survive in my garden for 5 years. I had it planted under a sundeck up close to my house. It eventually perished one Summer from lack of water. I went away on vacation for two weeks and forgot to ask my neighbor to water it. Since then I have planted another 1 gallon size specimen 3 years ago and it has flourished. I have it growing in a very sheltered L-cove close to my house. There is also a large Dicksonia antarctica that provides it with further protection from it's fronds. The peaty soil mix I have it planted in is constantly moist and the little palm just loves it. It is also growing in very dappled light, but more shade in the Winter months. Last January of 2004 the coldest temp. I recorded out in the garden was -6.1 Celsius or 21.2 F. However where the palm grows it was approx. 1 or 2 degrees milder because of the mcroclimate. This past January 2005 the lowest temp. out in the garden was -4.5 C. or 23.9 F. The leaves are perfect and the cold temps. haven't bothered it so far. They may be related to Rhapidophyllum hystrix, but they are no where near as hardy as a Needle palm. Needle palms are the Kings of the frost beaters surviving temps. well below 0 F. Rhapis excelsa is a zone 9a species even though I am living in a milder zone 8b here on the island. I suspect where I have it planted may be closer to a zone 9a. They are definately worth the risk in any zone 8b sheltered garden. As for them growing out in the open without any sort of protection in the Winter, the palm wouldn't cut it in zone 8b. It would be a perfect candidate for gardeners on the extreme south west Oregon coast. I hope this is usefull info. Cheers, Banana Joe

This tree is very hardy. It is related to the Rhapiodyllum hystrix... and is comparably hardy.

There are few, but some of these palms dotted around Seattle and Vancouver BC and the Puget Sound in good microclimates.

Man...this palm is (((((((SLOW)))))))). I've had mine for over 2 months and the frond has yet to open up and reveal new leaves! Great plant for someone with alzheimers.

Just plant it and forget about it for a couple years.

It does grow well in the shade, and in sun, too, as long as it's not too blazing hot. There are large stretches of this palm in the arboretums in Pasadena in full sun. They do tend to yellow a bit there, but grow great.

This species of Rhapis does have male and female plants available, so seed collection is not impossible. However, dividing plants is so much easier. There are a tremendous number of varieties of this species, as well as 4-5 other species of Rhapis available. Some are extremely rare and worth a LOT of money. They are slow growing, and the variegated varieties tend to be even slower growing, so fetch a good price.

Not many palms excell as indoor palms as Rhapis species. These palms seem to get greener and greener the more darkness they live in (to a point, I'm sure).

In the Southern California climate this is one of the simplest palms to grow as they require normal water, minimal fertilizer and no pruning. Just plant, water and be happy. They tend to stay pretty small, but if you live long enough, you might see your plant grow to over 10'. Also they spread by underground rhizomes very slowly, but can eventually take up your entire garden if not cut back.

And despite what you might read below, these palms are not anywhere near as hardy as a Rhapidophyllum. Rhapidophyllums (needle palms) are easily the most cold hardy of all the palms and can tolerate temps way below freezing (can live outdoors in Washington DC) while this palm cannot come close to surviving such a climate. So keep yours in a pot if you live where it snows and take it indoors in the cold months!

The lady palms tend to be expensive because the genus produces male and female flowers on seperate plants, which presents a real problem as there are no known female plants of Rhapis Humilis (the smaller variety) In zone 11, Rhapis survives only in shade with lots of water.

The Lady Palms are slow growing and need little fertilizer. Check for scales and mites. Water only when the top of the pot is dry to avoid root rot.