The Story
Plant Bio
Acoelorraphe wrightii, commonly known as the Everglades palm, is a slow-growing, multi-stemmed fan palm native to the wetlands of southern Florida, Central America, and the Caribbean. It forms dense, informal clumps of slender, upright trunks covered in persistent brown fibrous leaf bases.
The deeply divided, fan-shaped leaves are bright green on top and contrasting silvery-grey underneath, carried on petioles armed with sharp orange-brown teeth. Large, branched panicles of creamy-white flowers extend well beyond the foliage crown in late spring.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Tropical
Height
360"
Width
240"
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
9, 10
Water
High
Humidity
High
Lifespan
Long-lived
Native To
North America, Central America, Caribbean
Toxicity
Non-toxic (but has sharp spines)
Bloom period
Spring – Early summer
In flower about 4 months of the year
Planting
How to Grow
- Select a site with full sun to partial shade and moist, acidic to neutral soil.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and amend with organic matter if planting in sandy soils.
- Set the palm at the same depth it was growing in the container and backfill, tamping gently.
- Water deeply and apply a thick layer of organic mulch to retain consistent soil moisture.
Pro Tip
Plant this palm in acidic, organic-rich, wet soils; alkaline or calcareous substrates lock up manganese, triggering a fatal chlorotic leaf-curling condition known as frizzletop.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Apply a slow-release, palm-specific fertilizer containing manganese, iron, and potassium during the growing season.
- Irrigate regularly to maintain evenly moist to wet soil conditions.
- Wear heavy leather gloves when handling the palm to protect against the sharp petiole spines.
Don't
- Do not plant in highly alkaline, limestone-heavy, or calcareous soils without heavy acidifying amendments.
- Never perform a 'hurricane cut' by removing green, healthy fronds, which severely weakens the slender trunks.
- Do not prune into old, leafless wood or cut into live trunk tissue when removing dead fronds.
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fertilize | ||||||||||||
| Mulch | ||||||||||||
| Pest Check | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Everglades Palm questions
What zones can Everglades Palm grow in?
Everglades Palm is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
When does Everglades Palm bloom?
Everglades Palm typically blooms in spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Everglades Palm need full sun?
Everglades Palm does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Everglades Palm with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.