Syagrus romanzoffiana – The Queen Palm

 

The Syagrus romanzoffiana, commonly known as the Queen Palm, is a graceful, fast-growing palm with a smooth, straight trunk and a lush crown of feathery fronds. Its elegant appearance makes it one of the most widely planted ornamental palms in warm and subtropical regions. With its arching leaves and year-round greenery, the Queen Palm brings a tropical, resort-like feel to any landscape.

Origin & History

Native to South America (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay), the Queen Palm thrives in subtropical and warm temperate climates. It was introduced worldwide as an ornamental palm, especially popular in the United States, Australia, and Mediterranean Europe for streets, parks, and gardens.

Botanical Specifications

 

  • Botanical name: Syagrus romanzoffiana

  • Common names: Queen Palm, Cocos Palm

  • Type: Evergreen, single-trunk palm

  • Growth rate: Fast (up to 1 m / 3 ft per year under good conditions)

  • Mature height: 12–15 m (40–50 ft)

  • Spread: 4–6 m (13–20 ft) crown width

  • Leaf type: Pinnate, arching fronds up to 4–5 m (13–16 ft) long

  • Cold hardiness: To about −5 °C (23 °F)

  • Lifespan: 50–70 years

 

 

 

 

 

Care & Growing Conditions

 

  • Light: Full sun for best growth; tolerates partial shade when young

  • Soil: Prefers well-draining soil; tolerates sandy loam

  • Watering: Regular watering; moderately drought-tolerant when mature

  • Fertilization: Requires regular feeding with palm fertilizer rich in magnesium and potassium to avoid yellowing

  • Pruning: Remove old fronds and seed pods as needed; avoid excessive pruning

  • Winter tips: Protect young palms from frost; mature palms handle light freezes

 

 

 

Benefits & Uses

 

  • Elegant, tropical appearance with arching fronds

  • Fast-growing, ideal for creating quick impact

  • Suitable for streets, boulevards, parks, and private gardens

  • Provides light shade without blocking views

  • Produces ornamental orange fruit clusters (though messy in some landscapes)

 

 

 

 

Landscape Inspiration

The Queen Palm can be used in many ways:

  • Avenue planting: Rows along driveways or streets create a tropical boulevard effect

  • Specimen tree: A graceful focal point in lawns and gardens

  • Grouped plantings: Combine with other tropical or subtropical plants

  • Poolside or patio palm: Adds instant resort-style elegance

Common Problems & Solutions

 

 

  • Nutrient deficiencies (yellow fronds): Common in Queen Palms → apply magnesium- and potassium-rich fertilizer

  • Fruit litter: Produces heavy seed clusters; prune flowers early if unwanted

  • Cold damage: Protect young plants below −3 °C (27 °F)

  • Pests: May attract scale insects or palm weevils; monitor regularly


 

 

Availability & Sizes

We offer Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera palms in different sizes:

0 - 10 cm

10 - 30 cm

30 - 50 cm

50 - 75 cm

75 - 100 cm

100 - 150 cm




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