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Rhapidophyllum hystrix (Blue palmetto)
1 hour care
per year
per year
2m
Max height
Max height
4m
Max spread
Max spread
20-50 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Rhapidophyllum hystrix
Other names
Blue palmetto, Needle palm, Porcupine palm
Genus
Rhapidophyllum Rhapidophyllum
Species
R. hystrix - R. hystrix is a hardy, clump-forming, short-stemmed, evergreen palm with spiny leaf stalks bearing fan-shaped, deeply lobed, bright green leaves, flushed blue-grey beneath. Panicles of tiny, bowl-shaped, reddish-purple flowers bloom in summer.
Rhapidophyllum hystrix is: Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming
Flower
Insignificant or absent, Reddish-purple in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free
Specific pests
Mealybugs , Red spider mite (box and other) , Scale insects Mealybugs , Red spider mite (box and other) , Scale insects
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care
Pruning
No pruning required.
Propagation
Sow seed at 16-18C (61-64F) in spring. Remove suckers in spring.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Rhapidophyllum hystrix (Blue palmetto) will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 4m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Underplanting, Greenhouse, Foliage only, Containers, City, Architectural
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. Best if mulched in winter. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, sun, and temperatures well below 18C (0F). Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in bright filtered light. In growth, water freely & feed monthly.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Rhapidophyllum hystrix
Other names
Blue palmetto, Needle palm, Porcupine palm
Genus
Rhapidophyllum Rhapidophyllum
Species
R. hystrix - R. hystrix is a hardy, clump-forming, short-stemmed, evergreen palm with spiny leaf stalks bearing fan-shaped, deeply lobed, bright green leaves, flushed blue-grey beneath. Panicles of tiny, bowl-shaped, reddish-purple flowers bloom in summer.
Native to
Southeastern United States
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming
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Colour
Flower
Insignificant or absent, Reddish-purple in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free
Specific pests
Mealybugs , Red spider mite (box and other) , Scale insects
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care
Pruning
No pruning required.
Propagation
Sow seed at 16-18C (61-64F) in spring. Remove suckers in spring.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Rhapidophyllum hystrix (Blue palmetto) will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 4m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Underplanting, Greenhouse, Foliage only, Containers, City, Architectural
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. Best if mulched in winter. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, sun, and temperatures well below 18C (0F). Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in bright filtered light. In growth, water freely & feed monthly.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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