Livistona
( liv - iss - TONE - uh )
At-A-Glance InformationThese trees need full sun and regular water, and are slow-growing fan palms. They have short, dark, shiny leaves and are hardy down to 22 degrees Fahrenheit. All species make great potted plants as well as landscape trees, and add a tropical effect to gardens. Most species are native to Asia, Australia, and Africa. Take care when planting and handling these trees and their parts, as they can have very sharp thorns on their stems.
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livistona Species and Varietals
The genus Livistona is in the plant family Aracaceae and includes 27 species. The best growing zones for Livistona are 9, 13-17, 19-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map
Livistona alfredii (Millstream Palm, Millstream Fan Palm) These trees are found only in the northwestern region of Western Australia, where they grow in forested areas and are threatened by habitat loss. They produce cream-colored flowers from July through September in their native range, and fruits follow from December through May. Trees reach about 40 feet tall when mature, and have green foliage. |
Livistona decora (Livistona decipiens) (Ribbon Fan Palm) This species of palm is endemic to Queensland, Australia's Magnetic Island, though it is grown worldwide as a landscape ornamental. These trees can reach up to 65 feet tall (30-40 feet tall and 15 feet wide at 20 years of age). Leaves are green on top and bluish underneath, about 2-5 feet across. Leaf stems are long and spiny, with down-hanging terminal leaflets. |
Livistona mariae (Central Australian Palm, Red Cabbage Palm) Native to the hot, dry interior areas of Australia. Eventually reaches 80-100 feet tall and 15 feet wide in its native habitat, but is seen more commonly around 10-15 feet tall, and is very slow-growing. Young plants and plants grown in containers have reddish leafstalks and foliage. Needs little to moderate water to perform well. |
Livistona nitida (Carnarvon Gorge Cabbage Palm) This species is endemic to Queensland, Australia, and produces cream to yellow flowers from September through December in its native range. Fruits follow from November through March. These palms naturally grow along streambeds and in flood plains, but are also found in gulches or near sandstone cliffs. |
Livistona saribus (Swamp Serdang, Taraw Palm, Triek, Sar) This species of palm is native to southeast Asia, and only takes temperatures down to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Leaf stems are lined with spines that resemble shark teeth, and trees reach between 40 and 60 feet tall when mature, though some specimens have been seen at over 100 feet. |
Caring for and pruning livistona Trees
Plant your palm tree in a spot in the yard that gets partial shade during the day, especially during the warmer, brighter hours of the day. Foliage can burn if sun is too direct or long-lasting, especially during high temperatures. These palms appreciate well-draining soil, and will not do well if left in standing water. These palms prefer soil to have a pH of between 5.5 and 7.0 (neutral to slightly acidic). Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of trees to increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and regulate soil temperatures. Water new plantings and established trees regularly to keep soil consistently moist. As a rule of thumb, a good time to water is when the top one to two inches of soil is dry to the touch. In wintertime when trees are dormant, reduce waterings. Prune Livistonia trees sparingly; older, browned foliage can be removed when it appears. Remove fronds at their base without damaging the trunk. Avoid removing any healthy fronds, as this will affect the tree's ability to photosynthesize properly. If growing trees in containers, they should be moved indoors or into protected areas when temperatures are going to drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Growing Livistona Indoors
Place your Livistona in a spot that receives bright, indirect light for several hours each day. South or west-facing windows are ideal for these plants. They prefer temperatures that stay between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit; anything below 50 degrees Fahrenheit will cause damage. Make sure soil is well-draining, and that containers have good holes for drainage. These palms will not do well with wet feet. Keep soil consistently moist, but not soggy. These palms will need to be repotted every two to three years to maintain proper health. They do not mind being slightly root-bound, but do need enough space for their roots to grow.
Growing Livistona Indoors
Place your Livistona in a spot that receives bright, indirect light for several hours each day. South or west-facing windows are ideal for these plants. They prefer temperatures that stay between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit; anything below 50 degrees Fahrenheit will cause damage. Make sure soil is well-draining, and that containers have good holes for drainage. These palms will not do well with wet feet. Keep soil consistently moist, but not soggy. These palms will need to be repotted every two to three years to maintain proper health. They do not mind being slightly root-bound, but do need enough space for their roots to grow.
Propagation
Livistona palms are best propagated through seeds. To propagate your palm tree, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Livistona by Seed
Propagating Livistona 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. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
- Harvest your seeds. The seeds produced by Livistona plants are contained inside of the fruits produced by trees once they reach maturity and there are male and female trees in close proximity to one another. Fruits are typically blue in color, and are mature (ready for harvesting) in late summer to early fall.
- Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot. Cover them with soil and water. 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 a few months from sowing. 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.
Problems and Pests
Livistona palm trees are susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases:
- Mealybugs
- Spider Mites
- Scale Insects
- Thrips
- Whitefly
Gallery
Videos
These palms do well, even in cooler-weather areas.
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Learn about these fruiting palms.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 419, Livistona
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