Licuala spinosa
Description
Licuala spinosa, commonly known as the Mangrove Fan Palm, Spiny Licuala, or Thatch Palm, is a robust and striking tropical palm known for its large, fan-shaped leaves and spiny petioles. This palm is highly valued for its ornamental beauty and unique appearance, making it a standout feature in tropical and subtropical landscapes.
Flowers
The Mangrove Fan Palm produces small, creamy-white flowers that grow in clusters on branched inflorescences among the leaves. These flowers are followed by small, round, red fruits, adding to the plant's ornamental appeal.
Foliage
The leaves are large, circular, and fan-shaped, with a glossy green surface. Each leaf is divided into multiple segments and can reach up to 1 meter in diameter, creating a dramatic and lush appearance. The petioles (leaf stems) are armed with spines, giving the plant its distinctive spiny appearance.
Fruit
The fruit is a small, round drupe that turns from green to red as it matures. While not typically consumed, the fruit adds seasonal interest to the plant.
Form and Size
The Mangrove Fan Palm typically grows to a height of 2-5 meters with a spread of 2-3 meters. It has a clumping growth habit, forming dense clusters of stems topped with fan-shaped leaves. The trunk is usually short or subterranean, often hidden by the crown of leaves.
Growing Conditions
- Soil: Prefers well-drained, rich, organic soil. Thrives in moist, fertile conditions and can tolerate a range of soil types, including sandy and loamy soils.
- Sunlight: Grows best in partial shade to full sun. Young plants benefit from some protection from direct, harsh sunlight.
- Water: Requires regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. It benefits from high humidity levels and can tolerate occasional flooding, making it suitable for wet areas.
- Climate: Suitable for tropical and subtropical climates. Prefers warm, humid conditions and is frost-sensitive.
Uses
- Landscaping: Ideal for use as a specimen plant, in group plantings, or as an understory plant in larger gardens. Suitable for tropical-themed landscapes, wet areas, and shaded borders.
- Ornamental: The unique fan-shaped leaves and spiny petioles provide a dramatic and exotic look, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of any garden or landscape.
- Containers: Can be grown in large containers for patios, verandas, and indoor spaces with sufficient light and humidity.
Maintenance
- Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Remove any dead or damaged leaves to maintain appearance. Handle with care due to the spiny petioles.
- Fertilizing: Benefits from regular applications of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer during the growing season.
- Pest and Disease: Generally pest-resistant but can be susceptible to scale insects and fungal infections. Ensure good air circulation and avoid waterlogging to minimize disease risk.
Notes
The Mangrove Fan Palm is a versatile and visually striking palm that adds a distinctive tropical flair to any garden or landscape. Its large, fan-shaped leaves and bold appearance make it a favorite among plant enthusiasts and landscape designers. It thrives in both shaded and sunny environments, making it an excellent choice for various landscape settings.
Companion Plants
- Calathea spp. (Calathea)
- Anthurium spp. (Anthurium)
- Alocasia spp. (Elephant Ear)
- Ferns (Various genera and species)
Common Name
Mangrove Fan Palm, Spiny Licuala, Thatch Palm
Botanical Name
Licuala spinosa
Family
Arecaceae
Origin
Native to Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines
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Please note that all Plants on this site are a range of plants we grow through out the year.
Availability changes all through out the year. please check with us via our Sunshine Coast Garden Centre page for Pricing & Availability
Product Availability
Plants & Pots come and go all year around.
- Plants are seasonal and sometimes we run out but have more batches coming along.
- Some Plants are not always in-stock however we can either order it in. pending availability
- Available numbers change every hour of the day in store and where we grow so please check in with us on how many you are looking for
- we have access to thousands of plants. if you are looking for a specific plant please let us know and we will see if its coming into stock soon or if we can order it for you.
- we will sometimes keep plants on our website to show you the description of how it grows and its specific characteristics. they may not be in stock all the time however we will keep it up online so when it comes in we wont have to reload products
Where are our plants Grown and how do we grow them
- Plants are grown locally on the Sunshine Coast
- All outdoor plants are sun hardened and ready to grow
- Indoor plants are grown under 50% Shade and will transfer perfectly to indoor use
- Orchids are also grown under 50% Shade and are best brought indoors during flowering for show then returned back into a shaded area until the following flowering time
- we are Qualified horticulturists, greenkeeper as well as Qualified landscape Construction with over 35 years experience in the industry. We use Quality products and materials to grow all our plants.
How to Look after your plants like we do
- When using any Garden Care products or Fertilisers we always recommend reading the label before use
- We recommend using Earthlife crushed rock mineral on all plants when planting in the ground or in Pots.
- When planting in Pots in Our garden centre we use either Rocky Point Premium Potting mix or our own custom potting mixes blend to plant all our plants
- If planting in the ground we also recommend that you use good quality Bagged garden soil around your plants at the time of planting
