Rhapis Species, Dwarf Lady Palm, Thai Lady Palm

A friend of mine gave this small palm to me. I have had it for about 7 months. I put it in the ground, up against my house, immediately ...Read Moreand have been proud of its response--In 7 months time this two and a half foot plant gained ten plus inches and has produced over a dozen new sprouts. It gets morning sun and shade for the rest of the day, after 11ish. This species is variable in leaf detail(from plant to plant) and grows very densely. Mine loves water everyday, but doesn't necessarily need it everyday. No leaf burn evidence from two cold spells(frost) so far... She has also thrown out seven new inflorescences in that time, and the first one is starting to show seed production(though i'm assuming them to be unfertilized as i've never seen a male subtilis plant). This palm is a nice change from the common excelsa.

Smaller (at least in leaf size) clumping palm from Thailand that is ideal for shady, small gardens (though eventually, especially in trop...Read Moreics, can spread quite a ways creating a large wall of palms). In southern California this palm is a bit more marginal than most other species of Rhapis, and certainly a lot slower. I have had one in the ground in my old garden for 4+ years and haven't noticed an appreciable change in size since planting. And it tip burns badly if not watered a lot. In the tropics, this palm can actually grow pretty tall, up to 12'. It has a tendency to have less splits in its leaves than the more common Rhapis, with some cultivars having 0-1 splits (very ornamental!). Leaves are very dark green. The stems/ canes tend to be naked in older plants, not covered with as much fiber as with R excelsa. The leaf tips are usually nearly pointed, but sometimes have that look like they were cut with a pinking shears, as in Rhapis excelsa. Variegated forms exist but are very rare and pricey.