Ruffled Fan Palm

Licuala grandis, the Ruffled Fan Palm, is a solitary tropical palm native to rainforest habitats in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Its rounded, undivided fan leaves have distinctive pleated surfaces and notched tips; mature plants produce small white flowers among the leaves, followed by rounded fruits that turn red as they ripen. This slow-growing species can be grown in a container or used in tropical landscape plantings; see the [NParks species profile](https://www.nparks.gov.sg/FloraFaunaWeb/Flora/5/1/5102) and the [National Tropical Botanical Garden plant profile](https://ntbg.org/database/plants/detail/licuala-grandis) for details. ## Growing Conditions Choose a sheltered, lightly shaded to fully shaded site. Protect the broad fronds from direct sun, strong wind, and heavy rain. Keep the root zone moderately moist while providing good drainage. In climates outside its tropical range, a container can make it easier to provide shelter and suitable warmth. ## Maintenance This palm grows slowly, so avoid frequent disturbance. Older dry leaves may remain on the solitary trunk; remove only fully dry or damaged material when needed, taking care not to cut healthy green fronds.