Livistona decora

Livistona decora, the ribbon fan palm, is a tall fan palm found only in coastal eastern Queensland. Its large, rounded fans are slashed almost to the base into 70–84 narrow segments whose split tips hang straight down, so the crown looks draped in ribbons.

Many growers still know it as Livistona decipiens. It was grown in European glasshouses and on the French Riviera by the 1880s, grows quickly from seed, tolerates drought and takes frost down to about −7 °C.

At a glance

• Native range: eastern Queensland, Australia
• Mature size: to 18 m; usually 9–15 m in cultivation
• Growth rate: one of the fastest-growing Livistona
• Light: full sun from a young age, or partial shade
• Water: moderate; drought tolerant once established; dislikes waterlogging
• Cold hardiness: about −7 °C once established
• Indoors / outdoors: outdoors, including mild coastal gardens

Care

It adapts to clay, loam or sand provided drainage is free. Regular watering gives faster growth and a better appearance. The finely cut leaves shred in persistent wind, so choose a sheltered position. The leaf stalks carry sharp, curved spines near their base.

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