Pritchardia hillebrandii

Pritchardia hillebrandii, the Molokaʻi fan palm or loulu lelo, comes from the north coast of Molokaʻi in Hawaii, where it now survives in the wild almost only on two small offshore islets. It is listed as Critically Endangered.

Its stiff, wavy fans carry a waxy bloom that ranges from grey-green to blue-grey and, in some plants, almost white. Easy to grow and tolerant of sun, wind and salt spray, it is widely planted in Hawaii and other warm climates.

At a glance

• Native range: Molokaʻi, Hawaii
• Mature size: usually 6–8 m
• Growth rate: usually slow, about 30 cm of trunk a year; faster with regular feeding
• Light: full sun is best, especially near the coast; part shade inland
• Water: moderate; drought tolerant once established; never waterlogged
• Cold hardiness: about −3 °C for established plants; young plants are more sensitive
• Indoors / outdoors: outdoors in mild gardens; a good container and patio palm in bright light

Care

Water enough to keep the subsoil moist in hot, dry weather, but never leave it in soggy ground, which rots the roots. Use a complete palm fertiliser with magnesium and potassium, especially in containers. Do not cut green leaves; remove only dead leaves and old fruit stalks.

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