PlantFiles: Spiny Licuala, Mangrove Fan Palm
Licuala spinosa

Very easy grower Zone 10b South Florida.

Like most Licualas, they can survive Southern CA coastal climates, but this is a hardier one, as well as Licuala Peltata which thrives. One precaution you could use to make this palm look nice is misting the leaves during Santa Ana's or hot days. Palmbob gets most of ohis LA expiriences in inalnd LA basin where there is more frost, most of the palms grow better out towards the coast.

This is about the only Licuala I can grow well here in the Los Angeles area. Most Licualas are very tropical in their requirements. This form is a suckering species from southeast Asia and is grown as an ornamental/landscaping palm throughout the tropics. It is also a good potted plant in bright light, humid conditions. Known as the spiny Licuala because the petioles are viciously armed with many small, sharp teeth.

By the way, unlike what the fellow below claims, most of my experience, along with my own palms, is also vicariously from the hundreds of palm growers (most along the very coast of S California) who compile and share their information and ideas at palm meetings and similar events. And I can tell you for a fact that MOST species of Licuala do NOT thrive in So Cal, and in fact, most cannot even SURVIVE in southern California outdoors for any length of time (more than a year or so). That is what makes this such a unique species as it is one of the very few that thrive here. And yes, I find it thrives inland (10 miles, but not much more) from the coast as long as you provide it some shade and protection from intense summer heat, along with frosty winter weather.