Adonidia merrillii 'Adonidia Palm - Triple, Double, Single'
Christmas Palm, Manilla Palm
The Adonidia (Christmas palm) is a single stem, pinnate-leaved palm frequently grown in multi stem configurations such as double, triple or quad trunks. This palm thrives in warmer weather and is not cold hardy. It prefers well drained soils, full sun and is fairly salt tolerant.
- » The Adonidia is self cleaning, very easy to care for.
- » Will bloom with white flowers and then red berries around Christmastime
- » Grows slowly to a height of about 14 to 18 feet
- » Very ornamental palm that works well as a focal point in small areas
Interesting Notes
A Philippine native, it grows year-round, to about 18 feet tall. This palm is also called the Christmas palm because it has large clusters of bright red berries each year during the holiday season. It's often called self-cleaning because old, dry leaves fall off spontaneously, making cleanup easy. It as well has a similar appearace to a miniature Royal palm.
Growing and Maintenance Tips for Christmas Palm, Manilla Palm
The adonidia palm grows best when given full sun for at least 4 to 6 hours every day. This palm grows best when fed in spring and again in summer and does best when given an additional, third feeding in the fall. Use a slow-release fertilizer formula designed specifically for palms that has an N-P-K-Mg ratio of 8-2-12-4. Ensure it also contains micronutrients such as iron, manganese and boron. It grows best, producing the most new leaves when it receives water regularly and its soil remains evenly moist,
Additional Information
| Height | 14-18 ft |
| Spread | 5-7 ft |
| Spacing | 5-6 ft |
| Hardiness Zone | 10 |
| Foliage Color |
Green |
Adonidia merrillii is widely planted in cultivation and grows well in tropical locations such as the southern half of the Florida peninsula. It has a smooth slender grayish stem ringed by contracting leaf base scars. A 2-3' green crown shaft supports a crown of almost a dozen pinnate fronds. The fronds are arched. Where the crown shaft attaches to the trunk 2' long inflorescences sprout. Small white colored flowers form light green 1" long fruit. In December, usually, the fruit ripens and turns a crimson color.