Ptychosperma elegans

solitaire palm
Moderate-size single-stem palm tree with a tidy, tropical look can be a houseplant in a bright room or landscape plant in mildest Southern California climates.
Ptychosperma elegansPtychosperma elegansPtychosperma elegansPtychosperma elegans
height 10–20ft
width 4–10ft
tolerates Narrow Planting, Pots
water
needs		 Moderate – High
water
info		 Water this plant regularly and deeply, when the surface of the soil has dried. Usually this is once or twice a week in dry weather.
hardy
to		 30F
exposure Part Sun – Full Sun
indoor
outdoor		 In or Out
drainage In Ground: Planting Mix, In Pots: Potting Soil
fertilizing All Purpose
origin Queensland, Australia
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 21, 23, 24, H2

Sunset Zones Map

Growing Notes

An unusual, attractive houseplant for a warm, bright room.
Outdoors, it loves good drainage and ample moisture in mild Southern California gardens. The closer to the coast, the more sun it can take. It can also grow in light shade, especially inland. Will suffer from frost.
Excellent in narrow areas and close to walls. Looks great planted in groups.

Special Interest

Leaflets tips have a ragged edge reminiscent of fishtail palms that across the entire frond makes a beautiful silhouette. The crownshaft connecting the trunk to the fronds is waxy blue-green with charcoal accents, and the upper section of the ringed trunk displays a smooth, green surface above the pale grey older portion of the trunk.

More Info

Resembles the Manila palm, Adonidia merrillii, but is easier to maintain as a houseplant and is viable outdoors where the Manila palm is not.
It is occasionally seen as a full-size mature plant in large atrium spaces indoors, like shopping malls.