Rhopalostylis Species, Nikau Palm, Shaving Brush Palm
Rhopalostylissapida

Family: Arecaceae (ar-ek-AY-see-ee)
Genus: Rhopalostylis (rope-a-lo-STY-lis)
Species: sapida (sap-EE-duh)

Synonym:Areca banksii

Synonym:Areca sapida

Synonym:Kentia sapida

Category
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Palms

Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings

Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Partial to Full Shade

Foliage
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Smooth

Foliage Color

Height
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
20-30 ft. (6-9 m)

Spacing
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Where to Grow

Danger
N/A

Bloom Color
Rose/Mauve

Bloom Characteristics

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall

Other details

Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost

Seed Collecting
Remove fleshy coating on seeds before storing
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored