Description

General aspect and origins - Syagrus romanzoffiana, formerly called Arecastrum romanzoffianum, is also known as queen palm. It is native to South America, and more precisely to Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. It is a beautiful palm, with a crown of plumose leaves, that can reach up to about 50 ft (15 m)
Leaves - The queen palm has plumose pinnate leaves that can be up to about 10 ft (3 m) long.
Flowers - Inflorescences of the queen palm are white-cream.
Fruits - Fruits of Syagrus romanzoffiana are oval and about 1 in (2 - 3 cm) long, and look like small inedible dates.

Culture

This is a showy palm, which looks like a slender coconut palm. As a result, this palm was sometimes called Cocos romanzoffiana or Cocos plumosa. Although tropical-looking, this palm can withstand a few degrees of frost : it will survive brief negative temperatures down to about 20°F (-6.5°C) but leaves will be damaged at about 25°F (-3°C). This palm can thus be tried in USDA zones 9a and warmer.
Soil - This palm prefers a well-drained and fertile ground. Although it can withstand occasional droughts, this palm will grow best when regularly watered.

Propagation

This palm is propagated by seeds, which will take a few months to germinate.