Pritchardia

( prich - AHR - dee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of palms, commonly called Loulu Palm, includes species which need full sun and moderate water to perform well in the garden. These palms are native to tropical Pacific Islands (Hawai'i, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Tuamotus). They have straight trunks and a regular palm-shaped canopy. Younger plants can be grown in pots on patios, in entryways, or indoors, but as they mature, they will need to be grown in an outdoor environment. Use these tropical fan palms to add lush greenery to landscapes, to line driveways and pool areas, or simply as specimen plants in the garden.

pritchardia Species and Varietals

The genus Pritchardia is a member of the plant family Arecaceae and includes between 24 and 49 species. The palms in this genus are closely related to those in Brahea (Rock Palm), Washingtonia (Fan Palm), and Copernicia (Carnauba Palm). The genus was named to honor William Thomas Pritchard, British consul at Fiji. The best growing zones for Loulu Palms vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Pritchardia hillebrandii (Loulu Lelo, Moloka'i Fan Palm, Hillebrand's Loulu)
This species grows in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11 or Sunset growing zones 23, 24, H1 and H2 and is native to the island of Moloka'i in Hawai'i. These trees slowly reach 20 feet tall and around 8 feet wide, and in full sun leaves take on a blue-silvery hue. In tropical regions, these palms will produce branched clusters of small, tubular, orange-yellow to pale white flowers.

Pritchardia minor (Alaka'i Swamp Pritchardia, Loulu, Hāwane)
This Hawaiian native grows well in USDA hardiness zone 10 and Sunset growing zones 17, 23, 24, H1 and H2. It slowly reaches between 20-30 feet tall and has deep green leaves with silver undersides. When these trees are establishing themselves, protect from hot sun. Flowers are small and inflorescences are coated in a thick coat of pink-brown wooly hair.

Pritchardia pacifica (Fiji Fan Palm, Fiji Palm, Pacific Fan palm)
This species of Palm is native to Fiji (as the common names suggest) and reaches up to 30 feet tall and 8 feet wide at maturity. It has a bit quicker growth rate than other species in the genus. Leaves are green. These trees will need protection from drying winds and have a moderate salt tolerance. Flowers are small, fragrant, and yellow-green to brown, growing in large panicles that emerge from leaf axils. Fiji Fan Palm grows well in USDA hardiness zones 10a-11.

Caring for Pritchardia

Plant Pritchardia palms in full sun; they typically prefer to receive between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun exposure each day, but can also get by on partial or filtered shade. They need well-draining fertile soil that retains moisture. Loamy soils are ideal, though they can also tolerate sand and clayey substrates. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of trees to suppress weed growth, increase soil moisture retention, and help to regulate soil temperatures. After installing, water newly planted trees regularly, keeping soil consistently moist. Mature trees should be deep watered consistently, ensuring that soil does not completely dry out. Irrigation can be lessened over the winter months.

Pruning is simple for these palms; simply remove any spent fronds as they appear, taking care to not cut into the trunk itself. Prunings can be carried out throughout the year as needed. Apply a layer of organic compost around the base of trees each year in springtime to support the season's growth, flowering and fruiting. If trees seem to be struggling, or if they are grown in particularly poor soils, they may benefit from an additional feeding with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in springtime. A fertilizer specifically made for palms is ideal.

Caring for Pritchardia in Containers
Pritchardia palms are happy in the ground, but can also be grown in containers, especially in zones where these trees cannot remain outdoors during the cooler months of the year. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Pritchardia palms grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Caring for Pritchardia Indoors
Pritchardia species are commonly grown indoors as houseplants due to their tropical growing requirements. They are considered easy to care for and are able to thrive in even low-light conditions. Ideally, these palms should be situated in spot in the home that receives bright-indirect light but is shaded during the late afternoon hours when the sunlight is strongest. Avoid placing these plants in direct sunlight, as this exposure can scorch leaves. Use a well-draining potting mix made specifically for palms or other houseplants. If drainage is poor, amend soil with perlite or sand; avoid dense, water-retentive soils as they will lead to root rot issues. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy; this translates to waterings about every week or two. Avoid overwatering, and empty water catchment saucers regularly. In wintertime, reduce watering slightly. These palms prefer moderate to high humidity (between 50% and 85%), and regular misting or using a humidifier nearby can go a long way in keeping them looking healthy and performing well. Fertilize once a month during the spring and summer months to support new growth, and reduce feedings to every 6-8 weeks in the fall and winter. Take care not to over-fertilize, as this may cause leaf burn and salt buildup in the soil. Repot Chamaedorea plants every 2-3 years, or when roots begin to poke out of drainage holes.

Propagation

Pritchardia palms are best propagated from seed. They grow rather slowly, and take a while (about 15 years) to reach a mature age when they begin producing viable seeds. These palms do not produce offshoots that can be propagated through division, and only produce new leaves from the top of the trunk. To propagate your palm tree, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Pritchardia by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. Seeds of Loulu Palms are produced within fruits. They are harvested when they develop a blue-black exterior skin color, and are produced from summertime to early wintertime, depending on the climate in which the trees are grown. Remove fruits from their attachments (or pick them off the ground once they have been released), and cut them open to remove the seeds. There is one seed inside each drupe fruit. Remove the fleshy covering and rinse off any flesh.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes between a few weeks to over a year from sowing (be patient!). Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Pritchardia produce small, round drupes, which transition from green to dark brown or black when ripe. Each fruit contains a hard inner pit with a seed inside.