Roystonea regia - Cuban Royal Palm

Roystonea regia, more commonly known as the Royal Palm or the Cuban Royal Palm, is a large and majestic frost-sensitive palm tree that can only be grown in pots in temperate climates. It is a species that thrives in tropical, humid, and warm climates, making it a beautiful addition to a hot greenhouse or a veranda from a young age. This palm tree develops a very tall, smooth stipe resembling a column of marble, topped with a bouquet of slightly arched, feathery fronds in a magnificent prairie green colour. It grows very quickly and is also an easy plant to cultivate as long as it receives warmth, light, a humid atmosphere, and remains in a rich, moist soil. As it is sensitive to temperatures below 7°C (44.6°F), it is grown in containers outdoors during summer but in a warm greenhouse or heated veranda during winter. 

Roystonea regia belongs to the family of Arecaceae. It is native to the Caribbean, Cuba, Mexico, and Florida. This beautiful palm tree develops a single, smooth, light grey but green in its upper part stipe, almost glossy. It has a characteristic swelling below the green area. The Royal Palm can reach a height of 30m (98ft) in nature, with a stipe diameter of 60cm (24in), but will remain much smaller in Europe, especially when grown in containers, where it won't exceed 5m (16ft) in height and 3m (10ft) in width. At the top of this stipe, a nearly round crown develops, composed of long pinnate fronds. The youngest fronds are upright, while the older ones are slightly drooping. Each frond, which can measure up to 3.50m (11ft) in length (2m (7ft) indoors), is divided into a large number of fairly wide leaflets, in a vibrant green colour, arranged in four rows. The dead fronds fall off naturally, without leaving any leaf scar on the stipe. Spectacular flowering occurs in summer on mature specimens. It develops under the crown of fronds, at the base of the upper green-coloured part of the stipe. These are large, branched and upright inflorescences, reaching a length of 1m (3ft). There are male and female flowers, carried by separate inflorescences. The flowers, ranging from cream white to pale yellow, are nectar-producing. After pollination by insects, they transform into 2cm (1in) long fruits, initially red and turning black when ripe.

This Cuban Royal Palm is a centrepiece for a tropical veranda or greenhouse. It will benefit from a higher natural humidity if placed next to other exotic plants (ornamental gingers, cycads, dwarf bananas, etc.) and if its pot is placed on a large saucer filled with clay pebbles that need to be regularly watered. Small plants like Japanese grass or Carex, for example, can be placed at its base.