Needle Palm (Hedgehog Palm, Blue Palmetto, Porcupine Palm)
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Average mature size of 6' tall with an indeterminate width. Suckers freely, creating an ever-widening clump. Fast growth rate.

Native Range

Southeastern USA.

Flower and Fruit Details

Flowers are tiny yellow to purplish-brown, obscured by foliage and fiber. Fruits are red to brown, and roughly spherical.

Leaf and Bark Features

Leaves are 4' long, dark green on top, dull silvery white on underside.

Culture and Care

Prefers moist well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Propogate by division of clumps or seed - seeds germinate in 6-12 months. Won't successfully grow where ground often freezes, but can be grown in colder than Zones 8-10.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

In our climate, the cold winter temperatures will burn back the leaves every couple years. Needs to be placed in an area protected from wind, then further "insulate" the crown through the harsh winter months with a leaf-filled cage. Able to auto-mulch ("swallow") fallen leaves. The state of Florida lists this species as endangered because it is "commercially exploited" and it is illegal to transplant it from the wild.

Suggested Uses

Use as a security hedge (because of the needles at the base of the leaves). Also an excellent specimen for the patio, near entryways, and in shade gardens.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA