Lady Palm
Rhapis excelsa
Traits
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Jul 16, 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.
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. Starting at $59.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Flower Color
- White
- Growth Rate
- Slow
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Loam, Acidic, Well-drained
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Can be planted with extra attention to watering.
Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
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 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.
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.
Similar needs
Arrowhead Plant
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, acidic, and zone 9a hardiness.
Autumn Fern
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
Blue Star Fern
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
Common Blue Violet
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
Doghobble
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
Hammock Snakeroot
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
You may also like
Common questions
Is Lady Palm a good plant for St. Augustine?
Lady Palm is a palm for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 6-12 feet × 4-8 feet.
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.