Unicorn Pandanus

The Unicorn Pandanus (Pandanus unicornutus) is a sculptural screw pine from Madagascar that carries spiralling strap leaves on a stout trunk, eventually reaching about 4m tall and 3m wide. It grows very slowly, taking 10 to 15 years to approach that height, so the specimens offered here are the plant, not a promise. Salt tolerant, wind tolerant and drought tolerant, it is built for the hardest coastal positions.

Why you'll love it

• A living sculpture. The leaves spiral around the trunk in a clean geometric pattern, so one plant does the work of a group.
• Coastal and exposed sites. Salt tolerant and wind tolerant, so a beachfront or an exposed roof terrace does not scorch it.
• Very low maintenance. No pruning schedule and no feeding routine. It holds its form once established.
• Drought tolerant once settled. After the first season it draws on stored reserves and copes with long dry spells.

Where it works best

Feature planting. One plant in a courtyard, an entry bed or a gravel garden carries the whole space. Give it a clear 3m so the spiral outline is not crowded.

Coastal gardens. It suits front line coastal blocks where salt wind flattens most ornamentals, and it pairs naturally with succulents and grasses.

Poolside and large containers. It drops little fine litter, and it is one of the plants that will live for years in a very large planter beside a pool or on a terrace.

Growing Unicorn Pandanus in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to light shade. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens, and it is frost tender, so cold inland districts and southern gardens are outside its range unless it can be kept under cover.

Soil. Sandy or gravelly free draining soil is ideal, and coastal sand suits it well. On clay, plant on a raised mound with coarse material worked through. Mulch 75mm deep, kept clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer while the roots move out, then only in extended dry weather. A light application of controlled release fertiliser in early spring is plenty, and overfeeding produces soft growth that wind damages.

Pruning. Remove only spent lower leaves once they have browned fully, cutting close to the trunk. Never cut into the growing tip, as the plant does not reshoot from a damaged crown.

What to expect when it arrives

This plant is offered in two advanced sizes only, 285L and 600L, and both are currently on backorder. These are mature specimens grown over many years, priced and handled accordingly rather than as a nursery shrub. If you need a smaller starting size, this species is not the plant for that job.

Stock is delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and specimens this size need machinery or several people to place, so plan access before delivery day. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Using pandanus as a feature tree
• Pandanus varieties for Australian gardens
• Shop coastal and salt tolerant plants
• More poolside planting options

Common questions

How fast does it grow?

Very slowly, taking roughly 10 to 15 years to reach about 4m, which is why advanced specimens carry the price they do. The size you buy is close to the size you will have for years.

Will it survive frost?

No. It is frost tender and suited to tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. In cold districts it needs to be grown under cover in a large container.

How close to a pool can I plant it?

Close is fine. It sheds little fine litter and takes reflected heat and splash, though the leaves are long, so allow clearance so they do not overhang the water.

What access do I need for delivery?

Enough for a machine or a small team. A 285L or 600L specimen is heavy and awkward, so check gate widths, ground conditions and the drop point before it arrives.