Fishtail Palm

Frost Tolerance: 25°F to 28°F (-4 to -2°C), might grow back from the roots if frozen to the ground

Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full sun

Origin: Malaysia and Philippines in the rain forest understory

Growth Habits: Clumping palmtree, fast growing up to 25 feet tall (8 m), forming clumps up to 12 feet wide (3.6 m); light green to light gray trunks, up to 6 inches wide (15 cm); light green, bipinnate leaves, 9 feet long (2.7 m), with characteristic fishtail shape.

Watering Needs: Abundant water, good drainage, regular fertilizer

Propagation: Seeds germinate easily in 2 to 4 months, in warm media, division, suckers

The Fishtail Palm is worth trying in Phoenix, in a shaded, more humid part of your garden.

Blooming Habits:
The cream-colored flowers appears first at the highest leaf level and then keep appearing lower. The trunk dies when it finishes blooming. More stems appear from the clump.

Fruiting Habits:
The red fruits, 0.4 to 0.8 inch in diameter (1-2 cm), contain oxalic acid, and are toxic if ingested, they also need to be handled with care since the juice can burn the skin. By contrast, the dull gray seed is edible.