Alexandra Palm

Alexandra Palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) is the classic tall, straight palm of Queensland and New South Wales, topped with long arching deep green fronds. It grows to about 20m high with a crown around 6m wide, so it is a landscape palm rather than a small garden plant. It establishes quickly, which is why it is chosen for a tropical look in a hurry in frost-free gardens.

Why you'll love it

• A grey banded trunk. The straight trunk is grey with horizontal bands, and it carries a graceful crown of arching fronds.
• Quick to establish. It grows fast and settles in quickly, so it creates a tropical feel sooner than most palms.
• A true Australian native. It comes from Queensland and New South Wales and suits a native rainforest planting as well as a tropical garden.
• Fruit for birds. Cream flowers hang in bunches and are followed by long tails of bright red berries, a favourite of wompoo doves and metallic starlings.
• Handles wet weather. It withstands seasonal flooding and heavy rainfall, so wet seasons do not stop it.

Where it works best

Grand entrances and avenues. Plant 3m apart in a row to frame a driveway or entry, or in a small grove to build a canopy. The tall trunks create a formal, dramatic approach.

Tropical and rainforest gardens. Underplant with native gingers and ferns for a lush, layered look under the canopy of fronds.

Containers while young. A sunny spot and a large pot suit a young palm for a few years. It will need planting out in the ground as it grows.

Growing Alexandra Palm in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. It needs a frost-free position, so it suits tropical and subtropical gardens and warm temperate coastal gardens without frost. Protect young palms from any cold snap.

Soil. Free draining soil, though it copes with wet ground and seasonal flooding better than most palms.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks, and give it plenty of water in extended dry seasons. For fast growth and lush fronds, feed with a liquid fertiliser monthly through the growing season, September to February.

Pruning. No pruning is needed. Remove fronds only once they have turned brown and hang down.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Alexandra Palm as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 140mm pots in packs of 10, in 200mm pots in packs of 6 and as single 300mm pots. A tube looks small beside the mature palm, though it grows quickly. The 300mm pots give a more substantial plant for a feature position.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Guide to palm tree varieties
• Bangalow palm care guide, a close relative
• Browse all palm trees
• Plants for subtropical climates

Common questions

Is it too big for my garden?

It reaches about 20m high with a 6m crown, so it needs room well away from buildings and fences. For a small garden, choose a smaller palm. For acreage, a grove or entrance, it is ideal.

Will it handle frost?

No. Protect it from frost, especially while young. Grow it in tropical, subtropical or frost-free coastal gardens, or in a pot that can be moved under cover.

How fast does it grow?

Quickly for a palm. Mulching, regular water in dry weather and a monthly liquid feed from September to February all help the fronds stay lush and the growth steady.