Lady Palm Tree

Lady Palm tree (Rhapis excelsa) with its vibrant green leaflets is a wonderful houseplant to have in the home. It adds a bit of the tropics to yours home during the dull, dreary winter days.  It's a good way to lift your spirits When the sky is gray and everything is covered in snow.

This elegant houseplant brings relaxing thoughts of tranquility of being on a tropical island with lots of sunshine and beautiful blue skies. In addition to being nice to look at, it is also beneficial for removing formaldehyde, benzene, and ammonia from the air-- a natural air cleaning machine.

For decorative purposes, this south China native is definitely the way to add an Asian flair to your decor.    It is an attractive, graceful plant with about 6 to 12 jade colored fan-shaped leaves growing from single bamboo-like stems on a single trunk.  Plant your Lady Palm tree in an ASIAN FLOWER POT and display it on a table or on a stand to add a refined and tasteful accent to your home.

The rhapis excelsa lady palm is an easy-to-care for plant that adapts well in rooms with warm, dry air.  Plus, it is very forgiving if your watering habits are faulty and it doesn't need a lot of light in addition to being able to stand cool drafts.

Care Tips for Lady Palm Tree

Light:  Provide medium to high indirect light near a bright east or south window but avoid direct sunlight.

Water: Water thoroughly and allow to drain and discard the runoff. Allow the surface of the potting soil to dry before watering again.  Be careful not to  over-water because this causes root rot.

Humidity: Average indoor room humidity; however, plant can adjust to both dry and humid environments.

Temperature: Keep at 65 to 80 degrees. The Rhapis Palm can adapt to temperatures below 32 degrees so it is well-suited to any home or office.

Fertilization:  Feed with an all purpose houseplant food at 1/2 the recommended strength when it's actively growing.  NOTE:  Twice each year, potted Rhapis should be drenched several times (leached) to flush impurities and excess soluble salts. 

Soil: Use a fast draining potting mix such as the kind used for African Violets.

Grooming:  Prune to remove yellow leaves and brown tips and clean dust build-up off leaves to keep them looking their best.  This also helps to prevent insects that feed on the organic matter in the dust.   
 
The Lady Palm is a prized ornamental that will add years of beauty and charm to your home.  Remember to keep soil evenly moist and repot the plant when it becomes too large for the container and topdress it annually with fresh soil. 

Back to Top