Rhapidophyllum hystrix
needle palm
A bushy, slow-growing palm, with several stems coming from the single stem, to a height of usually no more than 1.5m with glossy, fan-shaped leaves that are deep green and silvery grey beneath. The stems are very spiny, with spines up to 25cm in length. The sporadically produced flowers are purplish-brown and hidden by spines, followed by roundish, red to brown seeds on hermaphrodite and female plants
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained, Poorly–drainedpH
Neutral, Alkaline, AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow Brown | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow Brown | Green Grey Silver | Red Brown | |
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | Red Brown | ||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
- Full shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Arecaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Spreading branched, Clump forming
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- SE USA
How to grow
Cultivation
Grows in a wide range of conditions, liking damp soil as well as tolerating some degree of drought. Shelter from cold winds and plant in part-shade or even full shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by removing and potting up suckers
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- City and courtyard gardens
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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