Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Tree
Height
240 inches
Width
90 inches
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Water
Medium
Humidity
High
Lifespan
20-50 years
Native To
Philippines
Toxicity
Non-toxic
The Story
Plant Bio
Adonidia merrillii is a popular, single-trunked palm tree known for its smooth, slender gray trunk, bright green crownshaft, and gracefully arching fronds. It is valued for its moderate size and classic tropical look. It is widely known as the Christmas Palm because it produces large clusters of glossy, bright red fruits in late fall and winter, which coincide with the holiday season and resemble festive ornaments.
Bloom Period:
Uses & Benefits:
Marketplace
Where to Buy
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Planting
How to Grow
- Select a location with full sun and well-draining soil.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper.
- Gently place the palm in the hole, keeping it vertical.
- Backfill with soil, tamping lightly to remove air pockets.
- Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil.
- Apply mulch to conserve moisture, keeping it away from the trunk.
Pro Tip
Use a slow-release palm fertilizer containing micronutrients like manganese and magnesium to prevent common nutritional deficiencies and keep fronds deep green.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Plant in well-drained soil to prevent root rot.
- Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
- Fertilize three times a year with a specialized palm fertilizer.
- Provide protection from frost in the northern parts of its range.
Don't
- Do not overwater or let the palm sit in standing water.
- Never prune green, healthy fronds, as this weakens the palm.
- Avoid planting in heavy clay soils without amendment.
- Do not use general-purpose fertilizers lacking essential micronutrients for palms.
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fertilize | ||||||||||||
| Pest Check | ||||||||||||
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Christmas Palm questions
What zones can Christmas Palm grow in?
Christmas 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.
Is Christmas Palm deer resistant?
Yes — Christmas Palm is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Christmas Palm bloom?
Christmas Palm typically blooms in mid-summer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Christmas Palm need full sun?
Christmas Palm does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
Is Christmas Palm drought tolerant?
Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Christmas Palm handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Collections featuring this plant
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Christmas 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.
