Licuala grandis

Licuala grandis, the ruffled fan palm, is a small, single-stemmed palm of shaded lowland rainforest in Vanuatu and the Santa Cruz Islands. Its glossy, dark green leaves are round and undivided, finely pleated like a knife-pleated fan and notched only at the edge.

Long flowering shoots are followed by clusters of shiny red fruits. First offered to European growers in the 1870s, it is one of the classic palms for conservatories and bright interiors.

At a glance

• Native range: Vanuatu and the Santa Cruz Islands (Solomon Islands)
• Mature size: usually 1.8–3 m
• Growth rate: slow but steady
• Light: partial shade or dappled light, especially when young; strong light indoors
• Water: keep the soil evenly moist, never dry; high humidity is important
• Cold hardiness: frost-tender; best kept above about +3 °C
• Indoors / outdoors: an excellent pot plant for warm, bright interiors; outdoors only in frost-free, humid climates

Care

Grow it in fertile, free-draining compost enriched with organic matter, keep it moist at all times, and feed often but lightly. A sheltered spot is essential, as the large blades tear easily. Indoors, give strong light and steady warmth, and check for spider mites, scale insects and mealybugs.

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