Rhapsis Palm
5.0 out of 5 (3 experiences)
Large, lush leaves
Survivor
About Rhapsis Palm
Lady Palm is an evergreen fan palm that resembles a cycad. It needs indirect light, withstands deep shade and has low humidity requirements. It is a good specimen to use near doors because of cool air tolerance in winter. Lady Palms are relatively disease resistant, but mild leaf spot diseases can sometimes be seen on them.
Taxonomy
Rhapis excelsa
Rhapis
Arecaceae
Arecales
Also known as
Broad Leaf Lady Palm and Lady Palm
How to care for Rhapsis Palm
Water
How often to water your Rhapsis Palm
every 9
Rhapsis Palm needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
9
Light
Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.
Select a city to check sunlight intensity
Finding light for Rhapsis Palm in your home
a window
Rhapsis Palm may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.
Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Rhapsis Palm in your home 🏡.
Nutrients
How to fertilize Rhapsis Palm
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Rhapsis Palm after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
FAQs
Rhapsis Palm is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!
Water Needs
Rhapsis Palm prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Rhapsis Palm may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
Soil
Rhapsis Palm does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Growth Pattern
Rhapsis Palm grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Rhapsis Palm can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Rhapsis Palm can be propagated by division into new individual plants.
- Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
- If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
- Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
- Repot the parent plant back into its original pot
Care Summary for Rhapsis Palm
Rhapsis Palm
Greg recommends:
Water
0.5 cups every 9 days
Placement
< 3ft from a window
Nutrients
Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
What other plant parents say
Large, lush leaves 1
Survivor 1
09/28/2021
Early days yet and ends are starting to brown but I think it’s because my plant is in an area without enough light and I’m still getting into a watering rhythm.
Large, lush leaves
Survivor
04/21/2021
This is a hardy palm that can withstand colder temps in the evening down into the 30s. The foliage is not affected. I will acclimate this to the sun over the next few weeks and then will plant it into the ground.
