Lanonia dasyantha

Lanonia dasyantha is a small fan palm of the forest floor in northern Vietnam and neighbouring southern China. Its crown holds large, nearly round leaves cut into a few broad segments, marbled in pale and dark green, often with yellowish flecks and rings.

Growers still know it as Licuala dasyantha, and its horticultural name, Vietnamese paradise palm, reflects its ornamental foliage. Listed as Vulnerable, it is grown outdoors in warm-temperate as well as tropical gardens.

At a glance

• Native range: northern Vietnam and southern China (Guangxi, Yunnan)
• Mature size: to about 2 m including the leaves
• Light: dappled light to deep shade, or morning sun only; shade brings out the strongest mottling
• Water: plentiful; tolerates only short dry spells
• Cold hardiness: brief frost to about −2 °C without damage
• Indoors / outdoors: shady gardens in mild climates; long-term in containers, including indoors

Care

Keep it well watered and away from dry winds and low humidity, which mar the leaves. Feed lightly. It tolerates being pot-bound and is well suited to long-term container culture.

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