Rhapis Excelsa, Lady Palm

Rhapis excelsa

The Lady Palm or Lady Finger Palm known botanically as the Rhapis excelsa, adapts to a range of soils and environments. Large thick leaves with blunt tips have wide segments, giving Rhapis excelsa its occasional name “broadleaf lady palm”. The sturdy canes are covered with coarse, dark brown fiber. Rhapis is one plant that will thrive in your landscape.

The Lady palm's leaf tips can be trimmed with pinking shears, though we recommend maintaining the natural shape of the leaf by waiting until the leaf has browned sufficiently so that the entire leaf can be removed. Medium light is best with Eastern or Northern exposure to natural light, supplemented with fluorescent or incandescent artificial light in the office. The plant soil should be kept uniformly moist, but not wet. Wait one year, then begin light monthly fertilization, with a commercial all-purpose fertilizer.