The Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) is a refined, clumping fan palm with dark green, hand-shaped leaves on slender bamboo-like canes. Slow, tidy, and shade-loving, it is a classic choice for elegant screens and courtyard plantings in South Florida — and one of the few palms that is also cold-hardy.
Why Florida Customers Choose Us
| Size | Typical height | Spacing | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Gallon | 3 ft apart | $149.99 | Center-to-center | |
| 15-Gallon | 3–4ft | 4 ft apart | $174.99 | Center-to-center |
Lady Palm Breakdown
Appearance:
Many thin, upright canes wrapped in dark fiber, each topped with glossy, deeply divided fan leaves whose segments have a blunt, saw-toothed tip.
The clump is dense from the ground up, giving a layered, oriental look.
Growth Rate:
Slow.
It spreads gradually by underground shoots and takes years to fill out.
Size:
6–10 feet tall (occasionally 12) and 6–8 feet wide as a mature clump in the landscape.
Available in 7-gallon and 15-gallon (3–4 feet).
Sunlight Requirements:
Shade to part shade.
Leaves yellow and burn in full sun; morning sun or bright filtered light is ideal.
Water Needs:
Moderate.
Evenly moist, well-drained soil; let the surface dry slightly between waterings. Established clumps tolerate short dry spells.
Soil Preferences:
Rich, well-drained soil with organic matter; mulch to hold moisture.
Maintenance:
Low.
Remove old canes and brown leaves at the base. Feed lightly 2–3 times a year.
Landscape Use:
Shaded privacy screen, courtyard and entry plantings, foundation beds on the north side, understory beneath trees, and large containers on patios and lanais.
Climate Tolerance:
USDA zones 9a–11.
One of the hardiest landscape palms, taking brief dips into the low 20s °F with little damage.
For a shaded entry or a quiet courtyard that calls for something polished, the Lady Palm brings structure and calm with almost no upkeep.
Florida Delivery Available
We have in-stock Lady Palm ready to ship throughout Florida. Multiple sizes available with professional installation options. Order online or text/call 561-898-2028 for expert advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Plant & Care for Lady Palm in Florida
Choose Sun + Clearance
Palms prefer full to partial sun. Allow room for frond spread and future trunk growth.
Plant Slightly High
Dig a wide hole and plant with the root ball level to slightly above grade. Palms do not like being buried.
Backfill + Water In
Backfill with native soil and water thoroughly to settle. Avoid compacting too aggressively.
Consistent Watering (Critical)
Water deeply and consistently during the first few weeks. Most palm issues come from under-watering early on.
Fertilizer + Pruning
Remove only fully brown fronds. Apply a slow-release palm fertilizer after the palm has settled in.
Professional Installation Available: Not comfortable planting yourself? We offer expert installation services throughout Florida. Our team has 15+ years of experience ensuring your plants thrive. Call 561-898-2028 to add installation to your order.
What Florida Customers Say
After scouring the internet for reviews for Landscapers I came across Dino's Palms and sure glad I did! The owner's husband and wife came and were very helpful picking out everything we wanted! We made a deal on doing my entire property and they personally came with a crew to install in one day! The plants were healthy and beautiful and the price for everything was much cheaper than anyone else!
Dino's Palms did an amazing job with delivering and installation of my new calusia. Their plants are very affordable and I highly recommend them.
Installed 11 4.5ft clusia plants in my front lawn, quality work finished in great time, thank you!
