280 - 300cm XXL Rhapis Excelsa 55cm Pot House Plant

🌴 Rhapis excelsa — Lady Palm

Rhapis excelsa, commonly known as the Lady Palm, is a graceful, slow-growing fan palm known for its refined appearance, excellent tolerance of indoor conditions, and architectural elegance. Native to southern China and Taiwan, this palm is prized for its lush, deep green, fan-shaped fronds and upright, bamboo-like canes that create a bushy, multi-stemmed clump. Each leaf is divided into broad, glossy segments that fan out symmetrically, giving the plant a neat and tidy form. Unlike many other palms, Rhapis excelsa thrives in low to moderate light and tolerates cooler indoor temperatures, making it an ideal choice for homes, offices, and shaded conservatories. It’s also one of the best palms for improving indoor air quality and is completely non-toxic, making it a favourite for pet-friendly households. Its formal shape and gentle presence make it an excellent choice for classic interiors, minimalist rooms, or any space in need of soft, vertical greenery.

☀️ Light Requirements

• Indoors: Prefers bright, indirect light but is highly tolerant of low light conditions.

• Direct sunlight: Avoid strong direct sun, which can scorch the fronds.

• Low light: Maintains health and form better than most other palms, even in shady corners.

🌡️ Temperature & Hardiness

• Ideal temperature: 15–26°C (59–79°F)

• Minimum temperature: Tolerates down to 5°C (41°F) for short periods; best kept above 10°C (50°F)

• Hardiness rating: RHS H1c – suitable for cool conservatories or well-lit interiors

• Humidity: Prefers moderate humidity but tolerates average indoor levels. Occasional misting can be beneficial.

💧 Watering Needs

• Watering frequency: Water when the top 3–5 cm of soil is dry. Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy.

• Winter: Reduce watering when light and temperatures are lower.

• Tip: Always allow excess water to drain and never leave the plant sitting in water.

🪴 Soil & Repotting

• Soil type: Free-draining, loamy compost. A palm-specific mix or multipurpose compost with added perlite works well.

• pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0)

• Repotting: Infrequent due to slow growth — every 3–4 years is usually sufficient. Prefers to be slightly rootbound.

🌱 Feeding

• Growing season (spring–summer): Feed every 4–6 weeks with a balanced, diluted liquid fertiliser.

• Autumn–winter: Reduce or stop feeding during the plant’s rest period.

✂️ Pruning & Maintenance

• Pruning: Remove only brown or damaged fronds at the base. Avoid cutting green, healthy leaves.

• Leaf care: Wipe leaves gently with a damp cloth to remove dust and improve appearance.

• Growth habit: Multi-stemmed and clump-forming, with upright, cane-like stems.

🌾 Propagation

• By division: Can be propagated by carefully separating offshoots from mature clumps during repotting.

• Seed: Possible but extremely slow and uncommon in cultivation.

🐛 Pests & Problems

• Common pests: Scale insects and spider mites — especially in overly dry or dusty conditions.

• Symptoms: Yellowing fronds, sticky residue, or visible pests along stems.

• Treatment: Wipe affected areas and treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap if needed.

• Common issues:

  • Brown tips: Often caused by dry air or inconsistent watering.

  • Slow growth: Normal for this species — it is naturally slow-growing.

🧤 Toxicity & Safety

• Toxicity: Non-toxic to humans, cats, and dogs.

• Pet-friendly: An excellent choice for households with pets or children.

🏡 Indoor Care Highlights

• Ideal for shaded interiors, offices, bathrooms, and conservatories.

• Excellent air purifier and one of the best palms for low light tolerance.

• A great choice for formal or traditional interior styling — elegant and timeless.

• Makes a beautiful feature plant in corners, grouped displays, or flanking entrances.

• Requires little maintenance and adapts well to long-term indoor life.