Ribbon Palm

Livistona decipiens 

Cold Hardy

 

The tall and slender Ribbon Palm is a solitary palm that grows on a single, thin, arrow-straight trunk. They typically reach a height of around 30 feet and get their name from the long fronds that hang in delicate ribbons toward the ground. Ribbon Palms are native to the east coast of Queensland, Australia.  

 

Specifications

 

Ribbon Palms can reach 30 feet or more in height but they are slow growing. They will thrive in part shade to bright sun.

 

Ribbon Palms are moderately salt-tolerant, and very cold-tolerant, even into Zone 9A.  USDA Zones 9-11.  

 

Care

 

Place this palm in an area protected from strong winds to keep the "ribbons" from becoming tattered.

 

Add top soil or organic peat to the hole when you plant. These palms prefer full to partial sun and a well-drained area so they can dry out between waterings. Although drought-tolerant once established, this palm is best with regular watering. Fertilize three times a year in spring, summer and fall.

 

Ribbon fans are not self-cleaning palms so trim off browned fronds while the palm is still short enough to reach.

Dried leaf bases will need to be manually removed as well. They'll eventually fall off on their own, like old fronds, but the look is much cleaner if they're removed as the palm matures.

 

Spacing

 

Ribbon Palms can be planted fairly near a structure - 6 feet or more.  If the palm's head clears a structure like a fence or wall when you are planting it you can place a Ribbon Palm as close as 3 feet from a structure.

 

 

Landscaping with  Ribbon Palms

 

• against a wall or structure that can serve as a backdrop for it's lovely form 

• as a specimen plant for a yard or a grouping of specimens

• small specimens do well in containers and grow rapidly

• along a property line

• as a backdrop for smaller palms

• alongside a pool or patio

• as an anchor for a corner bed

• can be grown indoors as a container plant in a sunny area

​