Caryota mitis

‘Fishtail Palm’

FAMILY: Caryota

USES: Great tropical, informal effect. Used as an accent and in shrub borders and in large gardens, hotels, parks and as a background plant.

SIZE: Grows 6-8m tall with a 3.5m spread at a rate of 1 – 1.2m p/a.

LOCATION: Full sun to almost full shade. Does well in humid locations. Struggles in the in the drier interior regions in midsummer.

SOIL: Best in an organically enriched deep fertile soil with a pH 6.1 – 7.8, mildly acidic to mildly alkaline. Subject to K deficiency if soil is too alkaline. Watch for Mn and Fe deficiency too.

FERTILISER: Apply a slow release 20:10:5 NPK with trace elements annually in spring.

WATER: Best with regular water but is drought tolerant for short periods only for best appearance. Does not accept over irrigation or waterlogging.