Setaria palmifolia

Setaria palmifolia, or palm-leaved grass, is an extraordinary and relatively rare plant. Its elongated leaves, with a very wide lamina, resemble a miniature palm tree and immediately give an exotic atmosphere to your flower beds! This deciduous plant thrives in moist and rich soils and grows rapidly. Its hardiness is respectable, around -8 to -10°C (17.6 to 14°F) in a sheltered position, but it can also be grown in containers and stored indoors during winter.

Originally from Southeast Asia and introduced in many tropical regions, the palm-leaved setaria is a tall grass (belonging to the vast botanical family of Poaceae) that has been relatively recently cultivated. Its appearance cannot leave anyone indifferent: its stems, initially erect and then slightly leaning as they grow, bear long apple-green leaves with a wide, highly veined and beautifully curved lamina, irresistibly reminiscent of a miniature coconut tree. They can reach a length of 60 cm (24in) with a width of about a dozen centimetres. In its natural habitat, this astonishing plant can exceed 3 m (10ft) in height, but in our climates, it will only reach a height of 1 to 1.20 m (3 to 4ft), with a similar width. The plant forms an arching and opulent shrub, which rapidly spreads, and under very favourable conditions, it could even become somewhat invasive. In winter, it completely disappears unless it is located in hardiness zone 9 and beyond. The flowering is insignificant, with small late yellowish spikes under appropriate climate conditions.

The palm-leaved grass is a demanding plant: to reach its full potential and become truly spectacular, it requires moist, well-drained, and highly fertile soil. Regularly apply well-rotted compost to satisfy its appetite. It can tolerate full sun only if the soil remains consistently moist but thrives in partial shade. Setaria will produce much smaller and less spectacular leaves in soil that is too dry. Despite its subtropical origins, it shows surprisingly strong resistance to cold, and it is thought to be hardy down to -8 to -10°C (17.6 to 14°F), in a protected position, however. A thick layer of dead leaves will help protect it during winter and enrich the soil. If you do not live in a mild area, you can still grow it: reserve a beautiful pot on your terrace or a patio, and you will easily create exotic scenes!

In the ground, opt for lushness by pairing it with Tetrapanax, Gunnera, Schefflera taiwaniana, or Fatsia polycarpa, as well as large ferns such as royal fern, Dryopteris goldieana, and of course tree ferns.