Johannesteijsmannia altifrons

Johannesteijsmannia altifrons, the Joey palm, is a trunkless palm of the rainforests of southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and western Borneo. From an underground stem rise 20–30 enormous, stiff, undivided leaves shaped like a diamond and pleated like a paper fan, each blade up to 3.5 m long.

The Malay name daun payong means umbrella leaf, and forest peoples have long thatched with the leaves. In humid gardens it is grown as a bold foliage palm for deep shade.

At a glance

• Native range: southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo
• Mature size: leaves to about 6 m tall; crown 3–6 m high
• Growth rate: slow
• Light: filtered light to deep shade; direct sun scorches the leaves
• Water: plenty of water and high humidity
• Cold hardiness: short exposure to about −1 to +2 °C; dislikes cold, dry air
• Indoors / outdoors: a shade palm for humid gardens; indoors or in a conservatory with strong indirect light and high humidity

Care

Grow it in rich, moist, free-draining soil high in organic matter, sheltered from wind, which tears the great leaves. Keep the humidity high; heating and air-conditioning dry the air and harm it. The roots resent disturbance, so pot on or plant out with great care.

Why Palmpedia: Raised in our Almeirim greenhouse in Portugal and supplied in 15 L to 35 L pots.