Queen Palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana)

Queen palm trees are stately, single-trunked palms topped with glossy, bright pinnate leaves that droop softly in a graceful canopy. Bright orange dates hang in ornamental clusters. Queen palm trees are popular landscape trees in warm regions. For more queen palm tree information, read on.

I. Appearance and Characteristics 

Syagrus romanzoffiana, the queen palm, cocos palm or Jerivá, is a palm native to South America, introduced throughout the world as a popular ornamental garden tree.

Named after Nikolay Rumyantsev (1754–1826), who was Russia’s Foreign Minister and Imperial Chancellor and notable patron of the Russian voyages of exploration. He sponsored the first Russian circumnavigation of the globe.

It was previously scientifically known as Cocos plumosa, a name under which it became popular in the horticultural trade in the early 20th century. In some areas of the world the plant is still popularly known as the cocos palm.

S. romanzoffiana is a medium-sized palm, quickly reaching maturity at a height of up to 15 m (49 ft) tall, with pinnate leaves having as many as 494 pinnae (leaflets), although more typically around 300, each pinna being around 50 centimetres (18 in) in length and 3–5 centimetres (1–2 in) in width.

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

Queen palm thrives in full sunlight, which is fundamental for its robust growth and health. The prolonged exposure to intense light ensures vibrant foliage and optimal development. Queen palm can tolerate partial sun, however, deviation from full light exposure may result in reduced growth vigor and potential leaf chlorosis, indicating stress. Outdoors, queen palm should be planted in areas that receive unfiltered daylight for the majority of the day. These preferred light conditions enhance queen palm’s ability to photosynthesize efficiently, vital for its sustenance and resilience.

Temperature and Humidity

Queen palm is among the hardiest tropical-looking palms. It can survive frost but it is not suitable to be grown where winter temperatures drop below 25 degrees F. It does best in a hot and humid climate.

Watering

Native to the moist, tropical environments of South America, queen palm has adapted to thrive in high humidity and regular rainfall. This species is moderately drought-tolerant but prefers a consistent moisture level, avoiding both waterlogged soil and prolonged dryness. Watering should be adjusted to once every 1-2 weeks, aligning with its need for a balance between hydration and drainage. Commonly cultivated outdoors due to its size and preference for full sun, queen palm benefits from mulching to retain soil moisture during hot seasons or in dryer climates.

Soil

Queen palm needs an acidic soil that is well-drained but adequately moist. In alkaline soils, these plants will develop mineral deficiencies leading to stunted leaves and potential plant death. This can be addressed through the regular addition of a mineral fertilizer, although it’s more important to get the soil right at the time of planting. It is also imperative that all grass and turf are kept away from the trunk of your queen palm to prevent decay.

Fertilizing

Use a fertilizer that is specifically formulated for palm trees, as it is high in potassium (K) and contains magnesium, iron, and manganese, which are the minerals that palm trees typically lack. Follow the label instructions for amounts and frequency.

Planting Instructions

Queen palm can be planted any time of the year except during extremely dry or cold weather. Planting a palm tree requires some extra steps after planting. First, dig a hole that is at least twice the diameter of the root ball and the same depth. The heart of the palm is sensitive to cracking so be extra careful when lifting the palm out of the nursery container, injury of the heart can lead to stunted growth and even plant death. Place the palm in the hole and backfill with enough of the original soil so that the top is flush with the soil surface.

Like all palms, it will need support for at least the first year because the small root ball of palm trees does not sufficiently anchor the plant in the soil until it’s established. The preferred method is bracing your palm tree with 2×4 lumber and burlap.

For spacing, you can plant the palms as close as 4 to 5 feet apart in a row but then their tops will soon grow into each other. Planting them at a distance of 12 to 15 feet is better as they will also compete less for water and nutrients.

Pruning

Queen palm is not considered to be self-cleaning; its fronds persist after they die and often require manual removal. When pruning, try not to remove any live fronds. Pruning off live fronds can cause the palm to decline.

Propagation

It is not unusual for queen palm to self-seed. The heavy fruit clusters that the palm tree drops contain over a thousand seeds.

Queen palm can be propagated from half-ripe to fully ripe seeds. Remove the pulp and soak the seeds in water for two days to soften the seed coat. Plant several seeds in 4-inch pots filled with potting mix, as germination is erratic. Keep the soil evenly moist. The ideal germination temperature is between 90 and 95 degrees. Even under ideal conditions, it takes six weeks to six months for the seeds to germinate. If more than one seed germinates in the pot, only keep the strongest seedling and cut the others at the soil level (do not pull them out, as that can damage the tender roots of the seedling you want to keep).

Potting and Repotting Queen Palm

Because of its fast growth and size, queen palm is not an ideal choice for a container. Its size will be restrained by the confined space in which the roots can grow. For a start, use a pot that is at least 20 inches in diameter and 10 inches deep and has good drainage holes. It should be made of a heavyweight material so it is less likely to topple over. Remember that potted plants need more frequent watering and fertilizer than plants in the landscape.

Replant the palm to a larger pot when it becomes rootbound.

Overwintering

Queen palm hails from subtropical South America, effortlessly tolerating warmer climates but struggling below 20°F (-6°C). It displays bountiful fronds and a streamlined trunk to endure winter winds. Gardeners be warned: queen palm pines for a snug winter blanket if temperatures dip, with thoughtful watering to prevent root freeze. A sunny southern exposure ensures an optimal winter retreat for queen palm. Protect its regality properly and it promises a stunning silhouette against the winter sky.

Pests and Diseases

Protect the trunk of queen palm to prevent diseases as the trunk is susceptible to decay and injury by lawnmowers or landscape equipment which can create an opening for various diseases to take hold and kill the tree. Potential fungal diseases include fusarium wilt and ganoderma butt rot. Pests of queen palm include palm leaf skeletonizer, a native moth that attacks palms in the southern United States, as well as scale insects and spider mites.

III. Uses and Benefits 

The palm is often cut down in Brazil to use the leaves and inflorescences to provide animal (cattle) fodder, especially in times of drought. The leaves are similarly used in Argentina. Its fruits are edible and sometimes eaten; consisting of a hard nut surrounded with a thin layer of fibrous flesh that is orange and sticky when ripe. The flavour is sweet and could be described as a mixture of plum and banana.

According to Blombery & Rodd [1982] people eat the unexpanded leaves of apical buds in some regions. Fallen fruits are fed to pigs, and palm trunks are often used in construction, frequently hollowed out to make water pipes or aqueducts for irrigation. In 1920s Argentina, it was cultivated as a crop. The young buds are consumed as vegetables, pickled or preserved in oil. The trunk of the palm provides sago.