Triple Crown Palm

The Triple Crown Palm (Dypsis prestoniana) is a solitary Madagascan palm with a stout trunk, a thick crownshaft and heavy arching fronds that hold their shape in wind. It reaches around 8m tall and 3m across, slowly, which is what you want from a feature palm near a house or a pool.

Why you'll love it

• Built for exposed positions. Wind and salt tolerant, so a coastal front garden or an open driveway does not shred the fronds.
• Heavy, architectural fronds. Broad leaflets on thick arching stems, not the fine feathery look of most garden palms.
• Safe around pets. Not toxic to cats or dogs.
• Very little maintenance. Two feeds a year and a deep drink in dry spells is the whole routine.

Where it works best

Poolside. Palm roots are fine and fibrous, so there is no risk to the shell, paving or pipework. Set it back about 2m from the coping.

Driveways and avenues. Plant 4m to 5m apart. Each palm carries roughly 3m of canopy, so the crowns line up without touching.

Coastal gardens. Salt laden wind is what costs most people their feature palm on a beachside block. This one takes it.

Feature planting. A single specimen in lawn, or three at staggered heights, makes the trunk and crownshaft the feature.

Growing Triple Crown Palm in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun once established, light shade for young plants. This is a tropical and subtropical palm and it is frost tender, so open ground in cold inland and southern districts is out.

Soil. Free draining and deep, improved with organic matter. Sand and loam suit it as they are. On heavy clay, mound the site 200mm to 300mm and open the backfill with compost and coarse sand; a palm sitting in wet clay through winter will not thrive.

Water and feed. Water deeply twice a week through the first two summers, because this palm is slow to establish. Once settled, a weekly soak in dry weather is enough. Feed a palm fertiliser containing magnesium and potassium in early spring and mid summer to prevent yellow frond tips.

Pruning. Remove only fronds that have browned off completely, cutting close to the trunk. Never cut green ones: a solitary palm has one growing point and cannot replace them quickly.

What to expect when it arrives

Four sizes are grown. The 300mm and 400mm pots hold young palms with no clear trunk yet, best for planting a group that develops together. The 285L and 600L are advanced specimens with a formed trunk and crownshaft, a feature the day they go in.

Fronds are tied in for transit and may show a little tip burn, which grows out with the next frond. Expect a quiet couple of months before new growth. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every palm carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full palm tree range.
• Read our overview of palm tree varieties.
• See other plants suited to poolside gardens.
• Compare the large palms available for instant impact.

Common questions

How far apart should I plant them along a driveway?

4m to 5m apart. The canopy reaches about 3m across, which leaves room for a car door and a mower.

Can I grow it in Sydney or further south?

Sydney is workable in a warm, sheltered position with good drainage. Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra and frosty inland districts are not, because the palm is frost tender.

Is it safe for pets?

Yes. It is not toxic to cats or dogs.