Cuban Royal Palm

Roystonea regia, the Cuban Royal Palm, is a large, solitary palm with a smooth gray trunk and glossy green crownshaft. It bears long, feather-like fronds, cream-colored flowers and dark fruit eaten by birds. Mature size estimates vary: UF/IFAS reports 50–70 ft tall and 20–25 ft wide, while Singapore’s NParks profile gives a maximum height of 15–25 m. ## Form and landscape use This fast-growing palm is used along avenues, roadsides, parks and other spacious tropical sites. Its self-cleaning fronds drop as whole leaves, so the large canopy should be kept away from busy paths, parked vehicles and buildings. The crownshaft and feathered crown create a strong vertical silhouette. ## Site UF/IFAS notes that established palms tolerate drought and that the species grows well in wet soils. NParks recommends full sun, moderate water, fertile loamy, well-drained soils and describes it as salt-spray tolerant. The palm also produces heavy fruiting clusters that birds disperse. ## Maintenance Give the palm room for its tall crown and falling fronds, water regularly while it establishes, and avoid salt accumulation in the root zone. Watch for nutrient deficiency symptoms, especially on older leaves. See [UF/IFAS Extension](https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST574) and the [NParks species profile](https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/2/6/2682).