Archontophoenix alexandrae
Alexandra palm
A tall, fast-growing palm with a slender trunk, swollen at the base and ringed with leaf scars. Huge, arching leaves up to 4m long have numerous, narrow leaflets pale green or purple-flushed above, grey or silver below. In summer, cream to yellow flowers open in large sprays, followed by pinkish-red fruit
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Cream Yellow | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | Red | ||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Arecaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Archontophoenix are single-stemmed evergreen palms with large pinnate leaves and large panicles or racemes of small cup-shaped flowers
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- E Australia
How to grow
Cultivation
Under glass grow in loamless potting compost in bright, filtered light with moderate humidity. When in growth, water moderately and apply a liquid fertilizer monthly; keep just moist in winter. Outdoors grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in part shade to prevent leaf scorch
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in spring at 24-27°C (75-81°F). Keep compost moist and air humid
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Sub-tropical
Pruning
Minimal pruning required; remove dead leaves by cutting close to the leaf base leaving stubs to create a neat pattern
Pests
Glasshouse red spider mite may be a problem under glass
Diseases
Generally disease free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.