5 LIVE KING PALMS Lime Green Tree 5 BIG Plants 6-12+ in

Archontophoenix alexandrae

Alexander King Palm

Native habitat Central to northern Queensland coastal rainforest, Australia.        

The Alexandra King Palm is an extremely popular Australian palm species and considered to be the true King palm. Suitable for moist sub-tropical and tropical climates and cold-tolerant into the mid 20's, makes these very popular palms in California.

This attractive small palm is noted for its lime-green crownshaft, and eloquent arching leaves. This is a very similar palm to Archontophoenix cunninghamiana in both appearance and size. Alexandra King Palm are often better suited to more exposed positions and can take windy areas.  This palm can get to about 80 feet tall with a spread of about 10 - 15 feet. The leaves, which have darker stalks, are bright green above with a silvery underside, older leaves naturally fall off. They are much heavier looking than A. cunninghamiana, and consequently are less likely to be damaged by heavy winds.  Alexandra King Palm can be planted as multiples. Alexandra King Palm will grow arching away from one another creating a beautiful grouping with the classic tropical coconut-tree look (triple grouping really looks nice and is a recommended set-up). 

The base of the petioles form a greenish-yellow to brown crownshaft that the leaves rarely droop below. The trunk is smooth and ringed with noticeable leaf scars, although beefy and with closely spaced rings than A. cunninghamiana. It can get to about one foot in diameter. Flowers are formed below the crownshaft with the creamy flower stalks holding mauve flowers. The round green fruit, about 1/2 inch in diameter, turn bright red at maturity. There is often a noticeable bulge in the crownshaft before the flowers emerge which gives the tree a "pregnant" look.

             These palms can be grown in full sun if well watered, or in the shade. Highly adaptable to shade or full sun, and can do well indoors with enough light. They do like more water than most palms, with some even thriving in poorly drained areas. In their native habitat, they can often be seen growing next to and even in creek beds. It is quite a fast grower, averaging about 1-3 feet per year.

Of the tribe Arecceae, and subfamily Arecoideae

it is also known by the botanic name

Archontophoenix alexandrae.