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Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa), Palm
Palm

Lady Palm

Rhapis excelsa

Varieties We Bring In

StandardRhapis excelsa
Sizes & Pricing
3 galFrom$54.95
15 galFrom$225.00
25 galFrom$395.00
30 galFrom$395.00

Last received Oct 23, 2026.

We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.

Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.

LightPart Shade, Full Shade
WaterModerate
Mature size6-12 feet × 4-8 feet

Pet toxicity: Non-toxic to dogs and cats

Pet safety guide

About Lady Palm

Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) is a slow-growing, clustering fan palm from southern China, forming elegant clumps of slender, bamboo-like canes topped with deeply divided, glossy dark green fronds. It thrives in low-light conditions and is prized as both a refined indoor specimen and a lush shade garden plant.

Plant details

Bloom Season
Spring
Flower Color
White
Growth Rate
Slow
Foliage
Evergreen
Soil
Loam, Acidic, Well-drained

Best planting months

Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL

Recommended months: April, May, June, July, August, September.

January, other month
February, other month
March, other month
April, good window
May, good window
June, good window
July, good window
August, good window
September, good window
October, other month
November, other month, this month
December, other month
This monthGood windowOther months

Seasonal care

Bloom season. Good planting window.

Care essentials

Light

Lady palm thrives in partial to full shade in NE Florida; direct afternoon sun causes severe leaf scorch and yellowing. Ideal under tree canopies, on shaded patios, or in northern exposures.

Water

Water regularly to maintain moist but well-drained soil. Once established, lady palm is fairly drought-tolerant in NE Florida's landscape; reduce irrigation in winter. Do not allow to sit in standing water.

Soil & Fertilizer

Plant in well-drained, slightly acidic loam; amend sandy soils with organic matter. Fertilize with a slow-release palm-specific fertilizer (8-2-12 with micronutrients) twice yearly. Lady palm is reliably cold-hardy in zone 9b and is one of the most versatile shade palms for NE Florida.

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Common questions

Is Lady Palm a good plant for St. Augustine?

Lady Palm is a palm. Mature size: 6-12 feet × 4-8 feet. Light: Part Shade, Full Shade. Water needs: Moderate. Recorded hardiness zone: 9a.

What is the recorded pet toxicity for Lady Palm?

Non-toxic to dogs and cats

Care information verified from

Last reviewed March 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.