Rhapis excelsa
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Rhapis flabelliformis
- Phonetic Spelling
- RAY-pis ek-SEL-suh
- Description
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Lady Palm is an evergreen fan palm that resembles a cycad. As an indoor plant, it needs indirect light, withstands deep shade and has low humidity requirements. It needs well-drained potting soil and regular watering except in the winter when watering can be reduced. It is a good specimen to use near doors because of cool air tolerance in winter. Use a balanced slow-release fertilizer during the growing season.
Quick ID
- Leaves palmately divided; usually 5-7 segments
- Apices truncate, look shredded
- Leaf segments are several-fold
Lady Palms are relatively disease resistant, but mild leaf spot diseases can sometimes be seen on them. These palms are susceptible to several insect pests, such as mites, mealybugs, and scales, especially under interiorscape conditions.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rhapis
- Species:
- excelsa
- Family:
- Arecaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China and Vietnam
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- White
- Fruit Description:
- The ripe fruit is fleshy and white
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Panicles of yellow small bowl-shaped flowers in spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Shape:
- Palmasect
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are palmately dissected, 3-10 segments; segments several-fold, apices truncate and toothed; petiole at least as long as blade.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are clumped, slender, reed-like; basal portion covered in coarse fibers.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heavy Shade
