tropical

Bentham's Fan Palm

The Story

Plant Bio

Livistona benthamii, commonly known as Bentham's fan palm, is a solitary, single-stemmed canopy palm native to the monsoon forests and freshwater swamps of northern Australia and southern New Guinea. It develops a straight, rigid trunk retaining persistent petiole stubs beneath a dense, rounded crown of weeping, costapalmate leaves.

This species is distinguished by its deeply divided, nearly circular fronds with conspicuously pendulous apical lobes that create a distinct weeping effect. The long leaf petioles are heavily armed near the base with large, curved, razor-sharp black spines that require cautious handling.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a dramatic, weeping tropical silhouette with dense, glossy green fan-shaped fronds.

Thrives in wet, heavy, or periodically waterlogged soils where other canopy trees fail to establish.

Supports native Australian pollinators and provides food for fruit-eating birds that consume the small purple-black fruits.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tropical

Height

708 inches

Width

157 inches

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

Water

High

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Northern Australia and southern New Guinea

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring – Summer

In flower about 4 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in partial shade with rich, organic soil that retains moisture or is subject to seasonal waterlogging.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and plant at the same depth as the nursery container, backfilling with organic-rich soil.
Water deeply and apply a thick layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping the mulch clear of the trunk to prevent rot.
Maintain consistent soil moisture throughout the establishment phase, ensuring the young palm does not dry out.

Pro Tip

Establish young palms in partial shade with consistent moisture to mirror their native understory habitat; attempting to grow them in dry, full-sun positions or cool temperate climates results in severe stunting.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Water regularly to maintain high soil moisture, especially during dry spells.
Apply a balanced palm fertiliser during the warm spring and summer growing seasons.
Protect young plants from strong, drying winds and heavy frosts.

Don't

Do not prune into old, leafless wood or cut into the main trunk.
Do not plant in dry, arid, or fully exposed positions where the palm will struggle.
Do not handle the leaf petioles without thick protective gloves due to the sharp spines.

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

Rain gardensBog gardensSpecimen plantingCoastal gardensTropical themed landscapes

Companion Plants

Alocasia Colocasia Cyathea Asplenium nidus

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Bentham's Fan Palm questions

What zones can Bentham's Fan Palm grow in?

Bentham's Fan Palm is hardy in USDA Zone 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 Bentham's Fan Palm bloom?

Bentham's Fan Palm typically blooms in spring through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Bentham's Fan Palm need full sun?

Bentham's Fan Palm does best in part shade.