Rhapis excelsa

lady palm

Lady palm spreads by rhizomes like bamboo. Although this spread is relatively slow, the lady palm can take over most areas of your garden if not kept in check. This palm is one of the best for low-light situations but if you want to grow it in full sun, you need to be sure to supply it with good soil and adequate water or else the leaves will yellow. It is tolerant of cooler temperatures and can grow throughout the state of Florida (Zones 8b-11).

This is arguably the best palm for indoor plantings. Get some good quality plants and stick them in a pot with some well-drained soil and the plant will be happy with little more than occasional watering and fertilization. Excessive moisture in poorly-drained soils are the most common cause of decline in potted plants because fungus thrives in such conditions and can cause root rot.

This palm is strange because it is not known in the wild; plants were first collected by the Japanese for palace ornamentation. In your own landscape, this palm makes a great screen or hedge. Also looks great when illuminated from below, like the Everglades palm (Acoelorrhaphe wrightii).