Ribbon Fan Palm

Ribbon fan palm (Livistona decora) is a solitary Australian palm with deeply divided fan leaves and long, pendulous segment tips. Its arching crown makes a striking feature for open, warm-climate landscapes. ## Appearance and placement The Singapore Botanic Gardens’ NParks profile reports a potential height of 18 m, a single trunk with persistent leaf-base stubs, and fan leaves up to 1.85 m long. Short curved spines line the petiole margins, so keep the crown clear of walkways. Small yellow flowers form between the leaves and mature into shiny black fruit; the species also hosts Yellow and Orange palm-dart butterflies. ## Growing conditions Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. NParks describes the palm as drought tolerant once established, with moderate water preference, and warns that it does not tolerate waterlogged ground. Water more regularly while a new planting establishes, then adjust irrigation to rainfall and site drainage. Allow ample room for the large solitary crown. ## Maintenance Prune only fully dead fronds and spent flower or fruit stalks, using care around armed petioles and the crown. [NParks Livistona decora profile](https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/2/6/2650)