RHAPIDOPHYLLUM HYSTRIX THE NEEDLE PALM

WORLD’S MOST COLD HARDY PALM

In the past I’ve tried to show you a good assortment of very cold hardy palm species. This particular species, the Needle Palm, is without doubt, the most cold hardy of them all. It can tolerate temperatures below zero degrees F. People have been able to grow this species (sometimes with cold protection) in “non-palm growing” areas such as Utah, New Mexico, Ohio, New York, etc. It is not a tall species, typically getting to about eight feet. It is a fan palm, it suckers freely and in many areas tolerates full sun. It is known as the “Needle Palm” because of the presence of fairly long black “neele-like” spines randomly directed on the trunk. I like it the most when it’s grown in strong filtered light or part day sun because the leaves are a darker green. Photos below show a “Rhapis-looking” leaf with a dark, olive green appearance. It is native to southeast United States. We typically have available an assortment of sizes from seedlings and 5g plants and sometimes 15g plants – but this varies over time. Sometimes we sell out. This is a slow growing species and for me to make a nice 15g takes about 8 years. Seeds are produced on very short flower stocks, so collecting seeds means you have to carefully reach in between needles to get your harvest. We’re putting our 5g plants on Special.

I only have a few of these. You must mention this Blog Only Special to get this price.