Livistona australis (Australian Fan Palm)

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Livistona spp.

fan palms

Arecaceae

Asia, Australasia, and the Horn of Africa

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Livistona spp. is a genus of about 36 species of evergreen fan palms in the family Arecaceae, native to Asia, Australasia, and the Horn of Africa. The palms have a single, slender to stout trunk, ringed with old leaf scars, topped by a rounded crown of large, fan-shaped (palmate) leaves on long stalks. Leaf stalks are usually edged with stiff teeth or spines, and the leaf segments often droop at the tips, giving the crown a soft, weeping look. Mature trunks reach 20-80 ft (6-25 m) tall depending on species. Branching sprays of small cream to yellow flowers emerge among the leaves and give way to round to oval fruits, green ripening to blue-black or red, that are eaten and spread by birds and bats. L. chinensis, the Chinese fan palm, and L. australis, the Australian cabbage palm, are widely grown as ornamentals. Most species are frost-tender, though a few tolerate light frost, and young palms grow slowly. The spiny leaf stalks make handling and pruning awkward.

Native Range

Native to southern and eastern Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Guinea, and the Horn of Africa, with the greatest number of species in Australia and Southeast Asia. L. chinensis comes from southern China and nearby islands, and L. australis from eastern Australia.

Suggested Uses

Grown as specimen and avenue palms in tropical and subtropical gardens, parks, and streetscapes, and as juveniles in large containers and as indoor palms, especially L. chinensis. Trees are spaced 10-20 ft (3-6 m) apart to allow for the broad crowns.

How to Identify

Identify Livistona spp. by a single ringed trunk topped with a rounded crown of large, fan-shaped leaves, each leaf divided partway into many narrow segments whose tips often hang down. The leaf stalks are long and usually lined with stiff teeth or spines along the edges. Branching flower sprays among the leaves and clusters of round, pea- to plum-sized fruits that ripen dark help separate it from feather-leaved palms.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height20' - 80'

Width/Spread10' - 15'

Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring Summer

Mature palms flower in spring and summer, sending out branched sprays of small cream to yellow flowers among the leaves. The bloom itself is modest, and the rounded fruits that follow ripen over months from green to blue-black or red. Palms must reach trunk-forming size before they begin to flower.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

cream to yellow

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

10-20 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Across the genus, Livistona spp. grows in full sun, with juveniles taking part shade, in well-drained soil over a pH from about 5.5 to 7.5. Many species come from riverbanks and moist forests and grow most strongly with steady moisture, though established palms tolerate short dry spells. Most are frost-tender and suited to USDA zones 9-11, with a few standing brief light frost. Growth is slow to moderate, and palms take many years to form a trunk. Steady warmth, moisture, and feeding speed growth. The spiny leaf stalks make maintenance awkward.

Pruning

Pruning is limited to removing fully dead, brown lower leaves and old flower or fruit stalks, cut close to the trunk. Green leaves are left in place, as over-trimming weakens the palm and narrows the crown. The spiny leaf stalks are handled with gloves and removed carefully.