Roystonea spp.

royal palms

Arecaceae

Caribbean, southern Florida, Mexico, and Central America

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 10–12

Overview

Roystonea spp. is a genus of about 10 species of tall, single-trunked palms, the royal palms, native to the Caribbean, southern Florida, Mexico, and Central America. They form a smooth, columnar gray trunk 50 to 100 feet (15 to 30 m) tall that is often swollen at the base or bulging partway up, topped by a glossy green crownshaft, the sheath of tightly wrapped leaf bases above the trunk. The crown holds 10 to 18 large, arching pinnate fronds up to 12 feet (3.7 m) long, with leaflets arranged in several planes that give the leaf a plumed, full look. Branched flower clusters emerge below the crownshaft, bearing many small white flowers, followed by rounded purple to black fruit about 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) across. The genus is frost-tender and grows only in tropical and warm subtropical climates. Old fronds and heavy fruit clusters drop whole and make placement near walkways and parking a hazard.

Native Range

Roystonea spp. is native to the Caribbean islands, southern Florida, eastern Mexico, and Central America, with the Cuban royal palm (R. regia) the species most often planted. Palms grow in moist lowlands, along rivers, in swamp margins, and on open ground, often in groups. R. regia is the national tree of Cuba.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a street, avenue, and specimen palm in tropical and subtropical landscapes, parks, and large gardens, often planted in rows for a formal effect. The trunks and crownshafts give a strong vertical line. Palms are spaced 15 to 25 feet (4.5 to 7.5 m) apart along avenues.

How to Identify

Identified by a tall, smooth, light-gray, concrete-like trunk, frequently bulging along its length, and a bright green crownshaft topped by a full crown of long, plumed pinnate fronds. The fronds hold their leaflets in several planes, giving a feathery, many-layered look unlike the flat fronds of date and coconut palms. The smooth trunk and prominent green crownshaft separate Roystonea spp. from most other large feather palms.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height50' - 100'

Width/Spread15' - 25'

Reaches mature size in approximately 30 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring Summer

In warm climates flowering occurs through the warmer months and can recur more than once a year. Branched clusters of small white flowers open below the green crownshaft, drawing bees and other insects. Rounded fruit follow and ripen from green through red to purple-black over several months.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to cream

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 8-12 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

Reaches full height in 20 to 40 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Palms grow in full sun and moist, fertile, well-drained soil, and tolerate a range of soils, including sand and limestone, once established. Regular water and warmth support fast growth, though mature palms withstand short dry spells and some flooding. The genus is frost-tender, damaged below about 30 F (minus 1 C). Potassium and manganese deficiencies are common on poor soils and show as discolored or frizzled fronds. The single growing point means damage to the crown kills the palm.

Pruning

Pruning is limited to removing fully brown, dead fronds and old fruit stalks; the palm sheds its lower leaves cleanly on its own. Green and yellowing fronds are left in place, as their removal weakens the palm. Cutting the single crown bud kills the tree.