Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) Indoor Care, Common Problems & Solutions
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Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) flourishes in medium to bright indirect light, moderately warm and humid conditions, and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Rhapis excelsa is among favorite Palm varieties and grows in multi-stemmed clumps with numerous, glossy, evergreen leaves which are divided into broad, ribbed segments.
Lady Palm belongs to the group of palms called fan palms as they produce fronds which are split into numerous segments radiating from a point at the base (fan-like segments which look-like a lady's fan). The segments may be entirely or only partly divided.
The new foliage arises from a fibrous sheath which remains attached to the base. As it ages, the sheath falls, revealing bamboo-like trunks.
Lady Palm like Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens), Fishtail Palm (Caryota mitis) and Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii) are attractive tropical foliage plants that will create a delightful spectacle in any space.
Botanical name: Rhapis excelsa
Family: Arecaceae
Common name: Lady Palm
Origin
Rhapis excelsa is native to tropical and sub-tropical India and Asia. It was first culltivated in China. The Japanese collected Lady Palm for their palaces in the 1600s, then the popularity spread to Europe and later to America and the rest of the world.
Size
Lady Palm grows to a height of upto 6 feet indoors. The leaf stalks are long, up to 2 feet or more and are generally toothed.
Air Cleaning
According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Rhapis excelsa was found to be a good indoor air cleaner in removing xylene, toulene, benzene, formaldehyde, trichloethylene and ammonia.
Is Rhapis excelsa toxic?
No. Rhapis excelsa is non-toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. Lady Palm is safe for cats, dogs and other pets.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to own the magnificent Lady Palm, you may get them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to Care for Rhapis excelsa Indoors
To care for Rhapis excelsa Palm indoors, give it medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 16-270C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Lady Palm care requires regular pruning to keep it neat as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Repotting is needed every 3 years when it has outgrown its current pot. Keep on reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
Lady Palm grows best in medium to bright indirect light. Keep it away from direct sunlight as it can scorch the leaves.
Too low light for the plant will result in reduced growth, yellowing and browning of leaves. If you do have adequate light in your home, you may instal a grow light to increase it.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the palm receives light on all sides for uniform growth as well as prevent lopsided growth.
Watering
Water your Rhapis excelsa Palm thoroughly in spring and summer while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist. Avoid overwatering to prevent rotting and yellowing.
Cut down on watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil slightly moist since growth is minimal at this time. However, do not allow the soil to dry out completely to prevent wilting and drooping.
Use room temperature to prevent cold shock which can lead to stunted growth. Only water with chlorine-free water like rainwater to prevent staining and browning of leaf edges.
Avoid getting the base of the palm wet as it can lead to rotting and eventual death of the palm. Select a well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole to prevent waterlogging which can result in root-rot and eventual death of the palm.
Temperature & Humidity
Lady Palm requires a warmth of 16-270C to thrive. If the temperature is comfortable for you it is ideal for this palm. Keep it away from drafts to avoid sudden changes in temperature as they may cause reduced growth and yellowing.
Rhapis excelsa Palm has no need for extra humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is ideal for the palm. However, where the temperatures are very high, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.
Fertilizer
Feed Lady Palm with a balanced, liquid fertilizer monthly in spring and summer for a lush growth. Do not feed in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time.
Take care not to overfeed as it can lead to yellowing of the leaves. To prevent fertilizer build up which is indicated by leaf burn and brown spots, regularly flush the soil. Run a stream of water through the soil until water comes out through the drainage hole. Allow the stream of water to run for some time and repeat the process several times.
Potting Mix
The best soil for Lady Palm should be rich in organic matter and well-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. A mix of 2 parts of all purpose potting mix and 1 part perlite is recommended for this plant.
Repotting
Repot your Rhapis excelsa Palm every 3 years when it has overgrown its current pot. Keep it crowded to prevent it from growing too fast. Use a pot one size larger than the current one. Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot.
Apply a slow release fertilizer to the potting soil to promote faster establishment. The fertilizer will be adequate for the next 3-4 months.
Take care not to damage the roots and don't try to seperate or spread out the roots. Water the palm thoroughly and gently press down the soil to get rid of air pockets.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Lady Palm entails cutting away the old brown and dry fronds near the soil surface to maintain the palm neat as well as discourage pest and disease infestations.
Where the seeds are required for propagation, allow the fruits to mature and drop then cut away the spent flower stalk. If the seeds are not required, cut away the flower stalk immediately it begins to form to prevent the palm from wasting energy on developing the flowers and seeds.
Occasionally clean the leaves by splashing water from a hose pipe to get rid of dust and also discourage pest infestations.
Rhapis excelsa Propagation
Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) is propagated from offshoots, by plant division or from seeds.
Learn how to Propagate Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa Propagation).
Rhapis excelsa Problems & Remedies
Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) growing problems are brown leaf tips, yellowing leaves, brown leaf spots, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Brown leaf tips
Why are the tips of my Lady Palm turning brown?
The tips of your Lady Palm are turning brown due to dry air, inconsistent watering, drafts, salts buildup or bruising.
How to fix it
Trim off the brown tips with sterilized scissors to keep the palm neat and tidy.
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.
Inconsistent watering: Water only when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Drafts: Keep the plant from sources of drafts like AC units, hot air vents, wndy doors, heat sources among others.
Salts buildup: Regularly leach out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole.
Bruising: Place the palm away from the line of traffic to avoid brushing against it.
Yellow leaves
Some of the causes of yellow leaves on Rhapis excelsa Palm are too little light, dry air, inconsistent watering, soggy soil and aging.
How to fix it
Remove such leaves by snipping them off at the base with a clean sharp knife or a pair of scissors.
Too little light: Position the plant in medium to bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, group the plants together, use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom.
Inconsistent watering: Water only when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out. Do not water on a schedule.
Soggy soil: Use well-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.
Aging: It is natural for the old leaves to turn yellow and droop as the plant matures.
Brown leaf spots
Brown leaf spots on Lady Palm are caused by inconsistent watering, soggy soil or temperature stress.
How to fix it
Remove the affected leaves and discard. Carry out corrective measures.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule. Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot that has a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafts to maintain a warmth of 16-270C.
Pests
Common pests on Rhapis excelsa Palm are spider mites, scale insects and mealybugs.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected palm to prevent spread to the other plants.
- Treat the plant with neem oil or an insecticidal soap. Ensure to follow the manufacturers' instructions on the label.
- Regularly check underneath the leaves of the palm for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
- Maintain the plant well pruned to discourage the pests.
- Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together to raise humidity to minimize the pests infestations.
Diseases
Lady Palm is prone to root-rot disease which presents as yellowing and browning which is accompanied by rotting and sudden death of the plant. The disease is prevalent in soggy soil.
How to fix it
- Slip the plant out of its pot, wash off the soil and inspect the roots.
- Brown-black, mushy roots indicate root-rot; cut them away. In addition, cut away any stems showing any signs of rot.
- Disinfect the healthy roots and the entire plant with a copper-based fungicidal solution as indicated by the manufacturer.
- Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh potting soil.
- Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging.
- Water the plant with the fungicidal solution and place it in a warm, brightly-lit spot.
- Do not water the plant again until new growth appears and avoid overwatering and soggy soil thereafter.
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