PlantFiles: Wedge-leaflet Fan Palm, Australian Fan Palm
Licuala ramsayi

I put this palm in the ground, from a six inch pot, fall of 2010. Since then it has opened one new leaf and is partly opening the next. Yes, this palm is slow growing, but what licuala isn't? This palm is one of the most cold tolerant in the genus and is actually faster than both of my L. Grandis. As for the petioles--they are spiny just like most, if not all other licualas(sorry Bob). Plant this palm in shade or partial shade, and give its' leaves plenty of room(they'll get huge). Since this is a naturally divided leaf wind will not be as detrimental but it is STILL a licuala and therefore not wind resistant. Give this rare beauty plenty of water and nutrients as well, for faster growth. Patience pays off fore this is the tallest and most stunning(my opinion) in the genus.

Does well indoors -- my seedling puts out about one new leaf per month in a west-facing garden window.

This is one of the few Licuala that do well in So Cal (at least along the coastal areas). It's extremely slow growing here, so it will be many decades before any attain the height as seen in the wilds of Australia. In tropical climates, it's a much faster palm, and one of the best for landscaping, with its nearly circular leaves irregularly split. It also is one of the few Licualas that don't have viscious teeth along the petioles. This is a solitary species (most sucker).