Pandanus tectorius
thatch screwpine
Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia
Overview
Pandanus tectorius is an evergreen shrub or small tree reaching 13-30 feet (4-9 m) tall, with a branching trunk supported by stout aerial prop roots. The long, strap-shaped leaves are 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) long and 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) wide, arranged in spirals in three ranks at the branch tips, with sharp spines along the margins and midrib. The species is dioecious; male trees bear pendulous clusters of small, fragrant cream flowers, while female trees produce a large, rounded compound fruit 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) across made up of 40-80 wedge-shaped segments that ripen from green to orange-red. The fruit floats and is dispersed by water. Growth is moderate. The plant tolerates salt spray, sandy soils, and wind, and is grown on tropical and subtropical coasts. It is frost-sensitive and damaged below about 32 F (0 C).
Native Range
Native to coastal regions of the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia. Grows on beaches, dunes, and the margins of coastal wetlands in sandy, salt-affected soils, from sea level to low elevations.Suggested Uses
Used as a feature and shade plant in coastal and tropical gardens and for dune stabilization, spaced 8-15 feet (2.4-4.5 m) apart. The leaves are used for weaving and thatch, and the fruit segments are eaten in parts of the Pacific. Spiny foliage and eventual size limit its use in small or high-traffic gardens.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height13' - 30'
Width/Spread10' - 20'
Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years
Bloom Information
Male trees flower mainly in spring and summer, bearing fragrant cream flower clusters that last a few days. Female trees produce fruit that develops over several months and ripens from green to orange-red. Flowering and fruiting timing vary with local climate and are most reliable in frost-free coastal areas.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage 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
Grows in full sun in sandy, free-draining soils and tolerates salt spray, coastal wind, and brief flooding. Water young plants during establishment; mature plants are drought-tolerant in coastal climates. The plant is frost-sensitive and suffers leaf and stem damage below freezing. Spiny leaf margins make handling difficult. Few pests affect it, though scale and mealybugs occur in cultivation. Old leaves can be removed as they brown and die back.Pruning
Remove dead and lower leaves as they brown to keep the trunk clean. The spiny leaf margins make pruning slow work. Plants resprout from the trunk and branches if damaged.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 15 gallons