Pandanus utilis

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Trees

A tender, evergreen, palm-like tree to 6m, bearing glossy, sword-shaped leaves with stiff red spines along the margins. The foliage is arranged in a spiralling formation at the branch tips

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Pandanaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus
Pandanus are evergreen shrubs and trees, with terminal rosettes of spiralled, linear, spine-edged leaves. The small male and female flowers are borne on separate plants, the males in branched spikes, the females in cone-like heads
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Madagascar

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. In growth, water moderately and apply a balanced liquid feed monthly; water sparingly in winter

Propagation

Propagate by sowing pre-soaked seed as soon as ripe or in spring; remove suckers or offsets in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

See pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free