The Licuala grandis is a rare species of palm tree from the Arecaceae family. The palm is native to the rainforests of the Solomon Islands and the Vanuatu archipelago in the Southwest Pacific. The ruffled fan palm can grow to about four metres in height, although it tends to be smaller in cooler climates. The thin trunk of the Licuala is covered with fibres and on top the large leaves form a crown. Especially in the wild red berries can grow on the Licuala, which are eaten by birds.

Care

Location

As long as the humidity is high enough, an adult Licuala grandis can stand outside in the full sun. Indoors the plant prefers a light spot near an east or west-facing window. The sunnier the location, the higher the humidity. The palm needs at least 5 hours of indirect sunlight per day. A younger and smaller plant can tolerate less light and will do better in a shaded spot further from the window. The tropical palm is used to a lot of heat and should not be placed in a draughty location.

Watering

It is important to keep the soil slightly moist during the summer months. Therefore, it is best to water the plant regularly with small amounts of water; on the hottest days, this can be done every day. The soil should not dry out completely, but to prevent root rot, the roots of the plant should not stand in a layer of water. In winter, the plant goes into hibernation and needs less water.

Spraying and temperature

The Licuala grandis grows naturally in the warm and humid tropical rainforests. The ideal temperature is between 21 and 31 °C, but in the winter months the plant can withstand somewhat lower temperatures as long as it stays above 0 °C. If the palm is planted outside it should be moved inside in the event of frost. Due to the plant's high humidity requirements, it should be sprayed regularly with water, preferably at least once a week.

Pruning

From an early age, the palm develops its characteristic fan-like leaves. As the plant is not easy to care for and the humidity level is quickly insufficient, the leaves develop brown edges fairly quickly. These are part of the natural look of the plant, but can also be trimmed. The oldest leaves of the palm will eventually wither away completely. If they are too dry to make the palm look attractive, they can be cut off at the trunk with a pair of pruning shears.

Nutrition

During the spring and summer months it is a good idea to feed the Licuala grandis once a month. It is best to use special palm nutrition. The packaging will tell you how much food you should give each time. Feeding is not necessary in winter as the palm is in hibernation and feeding can be harmful.