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Licuala spp.
fan palm
Tropical Asia, Australasia, and the western Pacific
Overview
Licuala is a genus of about 150 species of fan palms in the family Arecaceae, native to the tropics of Southeast Asia, southern China, New Guinea, northeastern Australia, and the western Pacific. Most species are small understory palms 3-15 feet (1-4.5 m) tall, though a few reach 30 feet (9 m), forming single or clustered slender trunks. The leaves are the defining feature: rounded, pleated, fan-shaped blades up to 3-6 feet (90-180 cm) across, in some species nearly circular and undivided, in others split into wedge-shaped segments. Branched flowering stems emerge among the leaves and bear small cream flowers, followed by clusters of round red, orange, or black fruits 0.3-0.8 inch (8-20 mm) wide. The genus grows in warm, humid, shaded rainforest understory and lowland swamp forest, and is intolerant of frost, drought, and strong direct sun on young plants. Growth is slow, and most species need consistently warm temperatures above 50F (10C). Leaf margins scorch in dry air and exposed positions, and cold below freezing kills most species.
Native Range
Licuala species are native to tropical Southeast Asia, southern China, the Malay Archipelago, New Guinea, the western Pacific islands, and the rainforests of northeastern Australia, where they grow in the humid, shaded understory of lowland and hill forest.Suggested Uses
Grown as a shade and understory specimen in tropical gardens, in atriums and conservatories, and as a slow-growing container palm for warm interiors and shaded patios. The circular-leaved species are used as foliage features in humid, frost-free landscapes and interior plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 15'
Width/Spread4' - 10'
Bloom Information
Small cream to yellowish flowers are borne on branched stalks among the leaves, mainly in the warm wet season, and individual palms can flower over an extended period in suitable climates. Flowering is followed by clusters of round red, orange, or black fruits that ripen over several months.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Glossy greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-6 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
Licuala grows in warm, humid, shaded conditions in moist, free-draining soil rich in organic matter. Young plants in particular need protection from direct sun, which scorches the leaves, and all species need shelter from wind and dry air. Consistent moisture and high humidity sustain steady growth, while temperatures below 50F (10C) slow the palms and frost is usually fatal. The genus is restricted outdoors to tropical and frost-free subtropical climates, roughly USDA zones 10 and 11, and is otherwise grown under glass or as a container plant indoors. Slow growth keeps plants in scale with shaded beds and pots for many years.Pruning
Only fully dead or badly damaged fronds are removed, cut close to the trunk without cutting into living tissue. Healthy green leaves are retained, as the palm draws on them for nutrients. Spent fruiting stalks can be trimmed once the fruit has dropped.Pruning Schedule
spring
Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons