The bottle palm tree (Hyophorbe lagenicaulis) resembles a rounded bottle in appearance. This palm is an intriguing, slow-growing palm perfect for accenting shady gardens and patios. Hailing from the lush Mascarene Islands, bottle palms thrive planted in the ground across zones 10-11.
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- Common Names: Bottle Palm, Pig Nut Palm, Palmiste Gargoulette
- Scientific Name: Hyophorbe lagenicaulis
- Family: Arecaceae
- Native Habitat: Endemic to the Mascarene Islands of Réunion and Mauritius in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Madagascar.
Unique Physical Characteristics
- Trunk: Thick bulbous base that tapers into a slender, gently arching trunk. Grayish-brown with ringed leaf scars.
- Fronds: feather-shaped fronds in light to mid greens. Droop downward when mature.
- Flowers & Fruit: Fragrant yellow flowers on female plants. Produce reddish-orange fruits under ideal conditions. It is debated if the fruits are edible (sources conflicting).
Growth Rate and Mature Size
- Growth Rate: Slow growing, often less than 12 inches per year.
- Height: Typically reaches 10 – 20 feet at full maturity.
- Canopy Spread: Usually between 6 – 10 feet wide at the fronds’ furthest reach.
Climate Range and Temperature Hardiness
- Hardiness Zone: Best performance when grown outdoors in zones 10 and warmer.
- Temperature Range: Damages below 30°F. Bring indoors or protect below 40°F to overwinter container plants.
- Heat Tolerance: Handles hot outdoor temperatures excellently.
Sun Exposure Preferences
- Thrives with bright, filtered sunlight or light shade conditions.
- Fronds may scorch and burn if exposed to prolonged direct hot sun in warmer zones when small. Site new plants accordingly.
Soil Requirements
- Thrives in organically rich, slightly acidic soil.
- Potting soil recommendation: High-quality cacti and palm specific potting soil
- Good drainage is important to prevent root rot issues.
Watering
- Keep soil consistently moist but never soggy during growth periods.
- Reduce watering frequency to allow drying between thorough soakings during cooler winter months.
- Container plants should be watered whenever the top several inches become dry. Check often with your finger.
Fertilizer Type and Application
- Apply high quality palm specific fertilizer rich in micronutrients every 8-10 weeks during active growing seasons for best nutrition and frond color.
- Hold off feeding if planting or transplanting and wait until new frond growth emerges first.
Common Diseases and Pests
- Lethal yellowing disease: Highly prone to lethal yellowing disease spread by plant hoppers. Remove and destroy infected plants promptly.
- Pests: Spider mites, scale, thrips and mealybugs may infrequently attack leaves. Apply insecticidal horticulture spray if significant issues arise.
- Container plants are more susceptible to mites and scales when humidity is excessively low.
Propagating Bottle Palms
Propagating By Seed
- Propagate from fresh seeds. Germination success can be low and quite slow over many months. Use bottom heat mats to enhance success rate.
- Transplant young palm divisions or sprouted seeds carefully in early spring to avoid root damage. Water moderately until new root growth is evident. Acclimate to sun and wind gradually.
Conclusion
With uniquely shaped bases supporting feather fronds, bottle palms lend a dramatically bold tropical look to shady garden beds and poolsides across warmer zones. Though slow growing, their narrow ultimate size makes them ideal feature plants where space is limited. Place them as living sculptures along pathways, patios and entryways.