Palm Trees – Needle Palm 

• Needle Palm 

Botanical name: rhapidophyllum hystrix 

Beginner friendly?: yes 

Average size at maturity: about 6 ft in height with an 8 ft spread 

Bloom time: spring 

Hardy zone: zones 6-10 

Flower color: yellow/orange

Foliage color: green/gray 

Growth rate: grows 1-2 ft per year 

Pruning instructions: remove fronds as they brown as needed, save all heavy pruning to maintain desired size and shape for the late winter/early spring 

Propagation methods: division 

Landscape use: tropical garden, focal point, screen, backdrop 

Light needs: 3-6 hours of sun per day 

Special features: drought tolerant

Watering instructions: allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between watering sessions 

Fertilizing instructions : use a palm tree fertilizer once a year in the early spring 

Best time to plant: spring or early summer

Best type of soil: loam or clay 

Companion plants: ferns, astible, agapanthus 

Toxicity level: non-toxic for humans and pets

Invasive species: no