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Rhapidophyllum hystrix (Blue palmetto)

Other names: Needle palm, Porcupine palm

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Species
R. hystrix is a hardy, clump-forming, short-stemmed, evergreen palm with spiny leaf stalks bearing fan-shaped, deeply lobed, bright green leaves, flushed blue-grey beneath. Panicles of tiny, bowl-shaped, reddish-purple flowers bloom in summer.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
2 m 4 m 20-50 years
6 ft 13 ft 20-50 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. Best if mulched in winter. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, sun, and temperatures well below 18C (0F). Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in bright filtered light. In growth, water freely & feed monthly.

Suggested uses

Containers/Patio, Architectural, City, Underplanting, Greenhouse, Foliage only

UK hardiness

H1c

USDA zones

Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10

Sunset zone

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Clump-forming

Native to

Southeastern United States

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

No pruning required.

Propagation methods

Seed

Propagation

Sow seed at 16-18C (61-64F) in spring. Remove suckers in spring.

Pests

Scale insects

Mealybugs

Red spider mite (box and other)

Diseases

Generally disease free

Cut untidy foliage and spent flower stalks (optional)

Rooted suckers can be potted up in spring for one year before planting out

Protect from cold drying winds (in cold areas)

Bring tender indoors if container grown (in cold areas)

Fertilise with balanced liquid feed

Mist plants to create a humid atmosphere

Plant in moist but well-drained soil (spring)

Sow seeds in containers with heat (spring)

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (1)

Rhapidophyllum

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Rhapidophyllum hystrix
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Rhapidophyllum hystrix Blue palmetto
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