Hyophorbe
Bottle palm, Pignut palm, Mascarena
- Height × spread
- 2.5m – 6m × 1.8m – 3m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are five species of bottle palm and these can be readily identified by the swollen, smooth-looking bottle-shaped base of the trunk. Two species are mostly commonly encountered - the Bottle palm (Hyophorbe lagenicaulis) and the Spindle palm (Hyophorbe verschaffeltii). These both have a rather stiff, formal appearance and have attractive flowers and fruits. They are rather large for indoor cultivation but are handsome if there is enough room, perhaps in a large greenhouse or huge conservatory. They enjoy warmth and bright indirect light and plenty of moisture. These palms come from the Mascarene Islands, including Mauritius and Reunion. They are happy in seaside locations and tolerate salt spray.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 2.5m – 6m
- Spread
- 1.8m – 3m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- bright spot, no direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 5C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food monthly
Give the plant a balanced houseplant feed monthly while in growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water to keep soil moist
Water regularly, but do not leave the plant sodden or with water in a saucer at its feet. It likes to be dry during the winter months.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Feed with houseplant food monthly
Give the plant a balanced houseplant feed monthly while in growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Winter
Winter · Indoors
Water moderately in winter
Water moderately.
Give a small amount of water so that the plant doesn't become flaccid (leaves lose their firmness and may droop or look lifeless), or dessicated, but do not saturate the compost or leave it standing in water.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based houseplant compost for repotting
Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.
John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.
Indoor temperature · Planting
5C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 5 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a bright spot, no direct sun
Give this a bright position away from the direct sun, especially direct sun at the height of the day. (Direct sunshine is too hot and can burn the leaves.) Move the plant to a brighter position in the room during winter and early spring.