How to Grow and Care for Licuala

Vanuatu fan palm (Licuala grandis), as indicated by the name, is a small palm tree native to the island of Vanuatu. Today it can be seen in many tropical locations around the world. Its large palm fronds stand out as seemingly oversized for the trunk. Vanuatu fan palm grows best with partial sunlight and moist soil in a tropical environment.

Mangrove fan palm (Licuala spinosa) is a clump-forming ornamental palm with a rapid growth rate. It's used in Cambodia to make hats and wrap and cook food, and in Borneo they take advantage of the young leaf's fireproof durability, preparing blowpipe dart poison by shaping a boat-like cup to put poison over a fire.

Queensland fan palm is a striking fan palm native to the rainforests of Australia. Its large, circular, pleated leaves can reach over 2 meters in diameter, spreading like a living green sunshade atop slender tall stems. This majestic palm prefers the warm, humid understory, where dappled sunlight fosters its slow, graceful growth. Queensland fan palm's dramatic foliage becomes a focal point in tropical gardens and makes it a desirable species for palm enthusiasts.