Livistona–commonly called Chinese fan palm–is a tropical palm with fan-shaped leaves that are borne in dense, terminal heads. Livistona is grown as a specimen tree in tropical regions; in temperate regions, it is grown as a houseplant. Livistona has fan-shaped, glossy, rich green leaves with short spiny leaf stalks; the leaves are divided into pendent […] More
Howea–commonly called Kentia palm or sentry palm–is a dark green, feather-leaved palm with deeply cleft, arching fronds that grow from a single stem. It is often grown as a houseplant; indoors it usually grows to not more than 8 feet (2.4m) tall. Howea is a slow grower and easy to maintain indoors. It has a tolerance […] More
Cycas–commonly called sago palm–is a palm-like evergreen plant that belongs to the Cycadaceae family, or cycads. Cycads are neither ferns nor palms; they are cone-bearing relatives of conifers; they are ancient plants. Cycas bear a rosette of dark green, featherlike leaves that grow from a central point at the top of a single trunk, sometimes […] More
Chrysalidocarpus–commonly called Areca palm–is a graceful, feathery palm with clumps of slender, reedlike canes and arching, shiny, lance-shaped yellowish-green fronds. Chrysalidocarpus is a genus of about 20 species of single- or cluster-stemmed palms. Only one is grown as a houseplant, Chrysalidocarpus lutescens. Chrysalidocarpus prefers full sun but will grow in shade. Indoors grow Chrysalidocarpus in […] More
Chamaerops–commonly called dwarf fan palm or Mediterranean fan palm–is a bushy palm with bluish or grayish-green leaves. It has multiple stiff, spiny stems that emerge from a fiber-covered base. At the top of each stem is a dark green, fan-shaped frond. Each frond is divided into many sword-shaped sections. Chamaerops is one of the hardiest […] More
Chamaedorea–often called parlor palm–is a slender feathery palm with canelike stems. It has graceful, arching green fronds. Indoors Chamaedorea grows to about 3 feet (1m) tall with fronds about 18 inches (45cm) long. The fronds tend to grow upward rather than out. Chamaedorea is best grown in bright filtered or indirect light indoors. Outdoors it […] More
Caryota–commonly called fishtail palm–is a palm grown for its broad, divided, deep green leaves that resemble the tail of a fish. The finely divided leaves have leaflets that are flattened and split at the tips like fish tails. Cayota is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia. It is often grown as a houseplant in […] More
Carica papaya is a tropical evergreen tree commonly grown for its sweet-flavored, buttery-textured fruit. Carica also can be grown as a houseplant; it bears interesting deeply lobed fanlike leaves. There are two types of papaya: Hawaiian or “yellow papaya” and Mexican or “red papaya”. Yellow, Hawaiian, papaya has yellow skin when ripe. Hawaiian papayas are pear-shaped […] More
Phoenix–commonly called date palm–is a genus of subtropical palms; some grow to 100 feet (30m) tall others grow to just 8 feet tall and can be grown indoors as house plants. All have feathery leaves and trunks patterned with the bases of old leafstalks. Female trees bear cream to yellow-colored blossoms followed by clusters of […] More
Butia is a handsome, slow-growing palm with strongly arching blue-green tinted, gray-green fronds. Butia is a semi-tropical plant that can be grown as a house plant in cool winter regions. Butia can be grown as a lawn specimen in frost-free regions. Butia is commonly called Pindo Palm. Butia grows 12 to 20 feet(4-6m) tall and […] More
Washingtonia–commonly called fan palm–are palm trees with deeply lobed, fan-shaped leaves borne in terminal heads that form a dense, shaggy thatch around the trunk of the tree as the leafy fronds die back. Washingtonia grows 50 to 80 feet (15-25m) tall and 10 to 15 feet (3-5m) wide. They are best suited as street trees […] More
Cercidium–commonly called Palo Verde–is a deciduous tree usually with smooth green bark. The common name Palo Verde is Spanish for “green tree.” Cercidium is an open, airy tree with mid-green leaflets. It admits light and gives dappled shade. Cercidium bears clusters of yellow flowers in spring. The petals are short and claw-like. Cercidium needs moderate, […] More
Stephen Albert