IFAS Extension
This Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ publication is part of a document series originally written by Edward F. Gilman. Visit https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/ to learn more about creating and maintaining attractive landscapes that protect Florida's water resources and environment.
Introduction
Microspadix palm is a clumping palm that has slender, bamboo-like stems that grow to 5 to 8 feet in height and 3 to 5 feet in spread (Figure 1). New stems continually arise from the base of the palm. These are smooth and pale green with feathery fronds borne 3 to 4 inches apart. The fronds have regularly spaced leaflets that are dull green in color with pointed tips (Figure 2). The terminal leaflets are 2 to 3 times wider than the others. Small yellow-green flowers are borne in panicles on female plants (Figure 3). The flowers are followed by small, showy, bright orange-red fruits (Figure 4). Microspadix palm is much more cold hardy than other related species, tolerating up to zone 8B. This plant is well suited for use as a specimen or accent, may be used as a screen or border, makes a dramatic mass planting, and may be grown as a houseplant.
Credit: Ryan Fessenden
Credit: Ryan Fessenden
Credit: Ryan Fessenden
Credit: © Emmanuel Guevara Lazcano, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA) via iNaturalist
General Information
Scientific name: Chamaedorea microspadix
Pronunciation: kam-ee-DOR-ee-uh mye-kroe-SPAY-dicks
Common name(s): microspadix palm, hardy bamboo palm
Family: Arecaceae
Plant type: palm
USDA hardiness zones: 8B through 11B (Figures 5 and 6)
Credit: This map is based on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Visit https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ for specific zone information.
Credit: This map is based on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Visit https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ for specific zone information.
Planting month for zone 8: Mar. to Nov.
Planting month for zone 9: year-round
Planting month for zones 10 and 11: year-round
Origin: not native to North America; native to Mexico
Uses: specimen; screen; border; accent; mass planting; suitable for growing indoors
Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant
Description
Height: 5 to 8 feet
Spread: 3 to 5 feet
Plant habit: upright
Plant density: moderate
Growth rate: slow
Texture: medium
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: spiral
Leaf type: even-pinnately compound
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: lanceolate
Leaf venation: parallel
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: 4 to 8 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Flower
Flower color: yellow
Flower characteristic: flowers periodically throughout the year; inconspicuous; dioecious
Fruit
Fruit shape: round
Fruit length: less than 0.5 inch
Fruit cover: fleshy
Fruit color: red
Fruit characteristic: persists on the plant; showy
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: typically multi-trunked or clumping stems; showy
Current year stem/twig color: green
Current year stem/twig thickness: not applicable
Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in the shade
Soil tolerances: acidic; slightly alkaline; sand; loam; clay
Drought tolerance: moderate
Soil salt tolerances: poor
Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches
Other
Winter interest: evergreen foliage
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests
Use and Management
This excellent garden palm tolerates high shade. Plants can be acclimated to a partially sunny location with gradual exposure. The microspadix palm will do well in a partially to fully shaded location in the landscape. It is tolerant of short periods of drought and will be suited to most well-drained soils. Regular irrigation also appears to encourage continued growth. Microspadix palm is adaptable to soil conditions, given that it is well drained. Plants receiving regular fertilizer applications appear much greener and more attractive than those without fertilizer.
The microspadix palm makes a great border or specimen plant and is quite striking when planted en masse. It is also a wonderful container plant for outdoor or indoor decoration. It can be grown inside in a bright location. Old fronds turn brown and hang on the plant and can be removed for a cleaner appearance.
Design Considerations
Microspadix palm provides a lush tropical feel with medium green foliage and a slender, clumping, bamboo-like form that provides fine texture and gentle vertical structure in shaded plantings. Its airy habit makes it well suited as a specimen in courtyards or patios, a foundation plant on protected north or east facing exposures, a light screening element along walkways, or a mid-layer accent beneath open tree canopies; it also performs reliably in containers. Pair with shade-loving companions like ferns, caladiums (Caladium bicolor and hybrids), and impatiens (Impatiens spp. except I. walleriana) for seasonal color; combine with other tropical structural plants such as bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae), gingers (various species), and bromeliads (Aechmea spp., Billbergia spp., Guzmania spp); use groundcovers like cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) or mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) beneath, and complement with flowering shrubs like firebush (Hamelia patens) or natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa) to create a lush, layered tropical garden.
Pests and Diseases
No pest or disease issues of major concern.
