Hyophorbe lagenicaulis

Hyophorbe lagenicaulis, the bottle palm, comes from Round Island off the north coast of Mauritius, the only place it survives in the wild, and is listed as Critically Endangered. Its smooth grey trunk balloons out near the ground and narrows to a neck beneath a waxy green crownshaft, so the whole plant resembles a bottle.

Its sculptural shape, slow growth and modest size make it a favourite for small gardens, avenues and containers in warm climates.

At a glance

• Native range: Round Island, Mauritius
• Mature size: usually 3–4 m in cultivation, occasionally 6–7 m
• Growth rate: slow
• Light: full sun if well watered; looks its best in light, filtered shade; bright light indoors
• Water: moderate, with regular watering in long dry spells
• Cold hardiness: brief dips to about −1 °C; protect below about 3 °C
• Indoors / outdoors: outdoors in frost-free gardens; indoors in bright light

Care

Plant in free-draining soil and water regularly during dry weather; the swollen trunk is not a water store. Feed two or three times a season with a slow-release palm fertiliser with micronutrients and extra potassium. It is highly salt tolerant and well suited to coastal gardens, but must be protected from frost.

Why Palmpedia: Greenhouse-grown by us in Almeirim, Portugal, and supplied in 15 L to 35 L pots.