Livistona australis
Australian fan palm
Overview
Livistona australis, the cabbage tree palm, is an evergreen fan palm with a single slender grey trunk reaching 15-25 m (50-82 ft) tall and occasionally taller. The crown carries a dense head of fan-shaped (palmate) fronds, each up to 2 m (6.5 ft) across, glossy dark green, and divided into many drooping segments. The leaf stalks are edged with curved teeth along their margins that can scratch on contact. Branched sprays of small cream flowers emerge among the fronds in summer, followed by clusters of round fruit 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 in) wide that ripen from red to black. The trunk is ringed with old leaf scars and often holds a skirt of dead fronds when young. It grows in moist forest, rainforest, swamp margins, and shaded gullies along the east coast of Australia. The palm is slow-growing, frost-sensitive when young, and hardier once the trunk has formed.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, from south-eastern Queensland through New South Wales to eastern Victoria. It grows in moist forest, rainforest, swampy ground, and shaded gullies, often near the coast and along streams.Suggested Uses
Grown as a feature and canopy palm in large moist gardens, parks, and rainforest plantings. Used along watercourses, in courtyards, and in containers while young. Suited to warm, sheltered, frost-free districts with reliable moisture.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height49'2" - 82'
Width/Spread9'10" - 16'5"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
glossy dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 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
Grows in part shade to full sun in deep, moist, free-draining soil rich in organic matter. Young plants prefer shade and steady moisture, while mature palms tolerate more sun and short dry spells. It is slow-growing and needs frost-free or near frost-free conditions, as hard frost kills young plants. Mature trunked palms tolerate light frost and brief flooding. A deep mulch keeps the roots cool and moist through summer. Old fronds are shed slowly and can be removed as they brown.Pruning
Pruning is limited to removing dead or browned fronds at the base of the leaf stalk. Green fronds are left in place, as over-trimming weakens the crown. Spent flower and fruit stalks can be cut away once finished.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 10 gallons