top of page

Ruffled Fan Palm Tree

Ruffled Fan palm tree about to be planted

Ruffled Fan Palm Tree, scientific name Licuala grandis, is an exotic fan palm that is well-known for its stunning dark-green ruffled leaves.  This elegant palm tree is great for small yards and can also grow indoors in the container.

Ruffled Fan Palm Tree Info

Scientific name: Licuala grandis

Common names: The Ruffled Fan Palm is also known Vanuatu Fan Palm, Palas Palm, and Ruffled Lantan Palm.

Family: Arecaceae

Origin: It is native to the Vanuata Islands, off the coast of Australia.

Appearance: It has a single slender trunk, 4-5 inches in diameter that takes years to develop. The Ruffled Fan Palm is known for its unique palmate, or fan-shaped leaves, with attractive splitting patterns that make it stand out in any environment. Leaves are circular, luscious green, glossy, ruffled, hence the name Ruffled Fan Palm, about 22 inches in diameter, with notched tips.

Flowers/Fruits: The inflorescence emerges from among the leaves bearing bisexual flowers, male and female reproductive organs grow on the same flower. Ruffled Fan Palm produces marble-like green fruit that turns red when ripe. This berry-looking fruit is round with a single seed inside.

Growth Rate: Slow. Licuala grandis is a very attractive, slow-growing palm that can get up to 5-10ft tall, but usually doesn’t get higher than 6ft with a spread of 5-10ft wide.

Outdoor/Indoor Use: Both.

Cold Tolerance: It can tolerate cold down to 30F when mature enough. It is great for growing in USDA Zones 10a (30 to 35 F) to 11 (above 40 F).

Light Req: Partial shade. It grows best in partial shade and should not be exposed to full sun.

Water Req: High. It needs a lot of water with good drainage.

Maintenance: Easy. Make sure to protect it from high winds to avoid frond damage. To prevent nutritional deficiency, apply good quality palm fertilizer that has continuous release formula twice a year during the growing season.

Propagation: Propagated by seed. It might take as long as 12 months for seeds to sprout.

bottom of page