Rhapis humilis

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor

Pronunciation: RAY-piss HEW-mill-iss


Common Name: Slender Lady Palm

Rhapis humilis, though not as versatile a palm as its smaller cousin, Rhapis excelsa, is more highly sought for its height, graceful stems and delicate foliage. This is the largest of the Rhapis, though its origins are unclear (supposedly China). Only male plants are known and some think this was a created plant in cultivation rather than one found in nature originally.

Appearance and Biology
  • Habit: tightly clustering with a 4-10 leaves per stem
  • Height: 18'
  • Trunk: multiple; 1"; covered with fiber, though sometimes clean at bottom; marked divided by elevated rings every 2"-6" or so- olive green color; often top foot of stem with live leaves coming off it
  • Crownshaft: none
  • Spread: 3'-8'
  • Leaf Description: palmate; deeply divided to petiole like a spoke wheel; about 10-20 leaflets per leaf; leaflets end in jagged point; deep green; leaves semicircular; about 12" long and 18" wide
  • Petiole/Leaf bases: fine; unarmed, arching; 12" t0 16" long; unsplit bases
  • Reproduction: by division only- dioecious but only male plants known
  • Inflorescence: branched; 1'-18" long; white flowers
  • Fruit:
  • Seed:
Horticultural Characteristics
  • Minimum Temp: 28F
  • Drought Tolerance: moderate
  • Dry Heat Tolerance: good
  • Wind Tolerance: poor
  • Salt Tolerance: low
  • Growth Rate: slow
  • Soil Preference: adaptable
  • Light Requirement: full sun to filtered light
  • Human Hazards: none
  • Disease or Horticultural Problems: none
  • Transplants?: transplants but often sets back severely
  • Indoor?: can survive as indoor, but not a good choice
  • Availability: rare- availability very variable and sometimes impossible to find; more often available at local commercial palm nurseries


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