Needle palms typically start flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.
needle palm
Rhapidophyllum hystrix
The Needle Palm is a native of the deep south of the USA, recognized for its fibrous trunk and its remarkable ability to thrive in adverse conditions. It has long, yellow-green fronds that reach up to three feet in length and are divided into pointed leaflets. The trunk is thin and densely packed with spiny fibers that protect the trunk from animals. It likes a sunny position in acidic soil, and can even survive light frosts. It is generally a drought tolerant plant, with minimal watering required to keep it healthy. This hardy plant adds a unique, exotic texture to any landscape, and its unique ability to survive extreme climates helps make it an ideal choice for any gardener looking for something special.
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Offsets,Air Layering Propagation,Division,Grafting Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
6 - 10
Flowers:
Yellow-brown Flowers
Sun:
full sun
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
High
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Thorny:
Yes
Invasive:
Yes
Tropical:
Yes
Care Level:
High
watering
When it comes to watering a needle palm, you should water about once a week or whenever the soil feels dry. As with any plant, you should water the soil thoroughly until water begins to come out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. Make sure to water the soil, not the fronds, as wet fronds can cause disease. During the active growing season, it may be necessary to water more frequently and reduce watering slightly in the winter months.
sunlight
Needle palm plants need a minimum of 8 hours of sunlight each day to thrive. They should receive direct sunlight in the morning and indirect sunlight in the afternoon. If planted outdoors, they should be in a location that gets sun for most of the day, such as a south-facing wall or balcony. If planted in a container indoors, the ideal placement for needle palms is in a bright sunroom or bright corner near a window that gets direct sunlight for several hours each day.
pruning
Needle palm should be pruned minimally and only when it is necessary to maintain the desired shape or structure of the plant. Prune in the early summer, before new growth begins, as this will prevent damage to the newly forming fronds. Start by removing any dead, diseased, or broken fronds. Trim large fronds if they appear overgrown. Make sure to always use sharp, clean pruning tools, as this will help keep the plant healthy. You can also selectively thin out the crowding at the center of the stems to help promote airflow and reduce the potential for disease. Trimming should be done with care and never more than 1-third of the plant’s canopy at a time.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering
Starts Flowering
Needle palms typically start flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.
