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Cyrtostachys spp.
sealing-wax palm
Overview
Cyrtostachys spp. is a genus of about seven species of clustering feather palms in the palm family (Arecaceae), native to the swamps and lowland rainforests of Southeast Asia, the Malay Archipelago, and New Guinea. The palms grow in dense clumps of slender, ringed stems that reach 20-50 feet (6-15 m) tall and 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) thick, each topped with a crown of arching pinnate fronds 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) long. The widely grown species, C. renda, the sealing-wax or lipstick palm, carries a brilliant scarlet-red crownshaft and leaf bases that contrast with the green fronds, a colour rare among palms. Small greenish to white flowers are borne on branched clusters below the crownshaft and ripen into small black ovoid fruits about 0.4 inch (1 cm) long. Cyrtostachys spp. is strictly tropical and frost-tender, growing in permanently moist to wet, acidic soils in warm, humid lowlands, and is damaged or killed by temperatures near freezing. The clustering habit lets clumps widen steadily as new suckers arise around the base. In cultivation the genus is confined to tropical gardens and heated glasshouses, where C. renda is grown for its red stems.
Native Range
Cyrtostachys spp. is native to Southeast Asia and the western Pacific, from the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra through Borneo to New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The palms grow wild in freshwater swamps, peat swamps, and lowland rainforest. C. renda is widely planted across the wet tropics beyond its natural range.Suggested Uses
Cyrtostachys spp. is grown in tropical gardens, parks, and waterside plantings, and C. renda is grown for its red crownshaft as a feature palm. Under glass in cooler climates it is kept as a warm, humid conservatory or container palm. The clumping habit suits poolside and pondside plantings in frost-free regions.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height20' - 50'
Width/Spread10' - 20'
Reaches mature size in approximately 15 years
Bloom Information
Cyrtostachys spp. can flower at any time of year in the constant warmth of the wet tropics, with no fixed season. The small flowers are borne on branched clusters below the crownshaft and are followed by small black fruits. Flowering and fruiting often overlap on established clumps.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
greenish to whiteFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Cyrtostachys spp. grows in full sun to part shade in permanently moist to wet, acidic, humus-rich soil and demands constant warmth and high humidity. The genus is strictly tropical, with no frost tolerance, and suffers damage when temperatures fall below about 55°F (13°C). Ample water is essential, as the palms grow naturally in swamps and decline in dry soil. Outside the wet tropics the palms are grown in heated glasshouses or as short-lived container plants. Spider mites and scale can affect plants under glass. Steady feeding through the warm season supports the clumping growth.Pruning
Pruning is limited to cutting away dead or broken fronds and old flower or fruit stalks at the base. Spent suckers can be removed to keep clumps within bounds. No other regular pruning is needed.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 15 gallons