Rhapsis excelsa
Lady Palm, Rhapis excelsa, is an ideal office plant. Very large, 6 – 7 feet Lady palms can be seen growing in 25 gallon containers in extremely low lighted areas inside the Hotel and are placed at dark corners at several covered outside walkways that receive only small amounts of reflective indirect sunlight. This palm may become your office or home favorite. Lady palm trees grow 10 feet. The Lady Palm tree historically dates back to the 1600’s when Japanese and Chinese propagated the palm trees to be grown inside the Imperial residences. The Lady palm trees were imported by European monarchs and admired because of their qualities of long-life, easy maintenance and unique beauty and their attraction to be used as an ornamental plant. Lady Palm trees, Rhapsis excelsa, can grow twelve feet tall in clumps or clusters under low artificial light. Very few palm trees have the advantage of large indoor growing as does the Lady Palm tree, Rhapsis excelsa.
There are several types of Lady palms. Rhapis excelsa is the common lady palm, growing to about 12 feet. R. humilis is the slender lady palm or rattan palm. It can grows to about 18 feet. Lady palms have deep green foliage and develop trunks with coarse, dark coverings. Both varieties are tolerant of medium light levels. Keep them evenly moist in summer and allow them to dry slightly in winter. They like lots of humidity, especially in the summer.