Rhapis excelsa

RHS Plant Profile
bamboo palm

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bamboo palm RHS 2002

Other common names

fern rhapis, ground rattan cane, Japanese peace palm, lady palm, miniature fan palm, slender lady palm

Synonyms

Chamaerops excelsa Thunb.

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Conservatory Greenhouse Palms
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A small, slow-growing evergreen palm with slender, upright, cane-like stems to 4m, bearing long-stalked dark green leaves divided into narrowly oblong lobes. Panicles of tiny yellow flowers appear among the leaves in summer. Shade tolerant and great for improving air quality and removed pollutants

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–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
Arecaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Rhapis are small evergreen palms forming clumps of slender stems bearing leaves divided into linear or oblong segments, with panicles of small yellow flowers among the leaves, followed by small ovoid fruits
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S. China to N. Vietnam

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in well-drained, loamy compost in full light but with protection from strong sun. In the growing season water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Water sparingly in winter. See palm cultivation indoors for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at not less than 27°C

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Architectural

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free