A native of the coastal lowlands and hillside rainforests of northeastern Madagascar, the Dypsis Forficifolia is a small but beautiful palm tree. It has no common name, but that doesn’t detract from its versatility. You can grow it as a solitary palm in a pot or plant it in clusters outside.

Dypsis Forficifolia is an understory or sub-canopy palm that only grows to a height of 4 to 12 feet. The wide, bifid leaves start out as burgundy to brown in color when the palm is young and turn green when it matures. The leaves sit atop a slender trunk, and an abundance of flowers and cherry red fruit grow on long, hanging inflorescences.

Fortunately, this palm is very common in its natural habitat and is not threatened with extinction at this time.

Dypsis Forficifolia Growing Tips*

Because of its status as an understory palm, Dypsis Forficifolia prefers partial to full shade, especially when young. Therefore, if planting outdoors, be sure to place them in a shady spot that doesn’t get hit with direct sunlight. With that in mind, follow these general palm-tree growing tips to ensure your Dypsis Forficifolia has a long and healthy life.

• Situate the palm tree in low-traffic areas to avoid being brushed against too often. This weakens the leaves.
• Repot when the palm becomes completely pot-bound. This will slow down its growth if you want your palm tree to remain indoors for as long as possible. Consider transplanting tall-growing palms outside to allow them to reach their full height. Allocate up to 50 feet of space out from the trunk for the root system to spread.
• Plant in well-draining soil; soggy soil encourages fungus growth. For potted palm trees, an all-purpose potting soil, works well. Thoroughly loosen the soil where you intend to plant outdoor palm trees, removing weeds and rocks to ensure good drainage.
• For potted plants, use a fertilizer designed especially for palm trees. Have your soil tested to determine what nutrients, if any, it needs to ensure the best growing environment for your outdoor Dypsis Forficifolia.

*These Growing Tips are general in nature. Environments and conditions vary. For specific advice on your growing environment, talk to one of our specialists at a Ko’olau Farmers near you.

 Palms