Roystonea regia

Common Names

Royal Palm, Cuban Royal Palm, Florida Royal Palm

Summary

Royal palm is a tall, solitary-trunk palm native to southern Florida and Cuba, widely planted as an ornamental in tropical and subtropical regions. It features a smooth gray trunk with a bottle-shaped form and a crownshaft up to about 1.5–2 m, a crown of pinnate leaves up to 4 m long with up to 30 leaflets arranged in a V shape, and large inflorescences with numerous creamy white flowers, followed by small dark purple to black fruits.

In cultivation, it thrives in warm tropical to subtropical climates with full sun and well-drained soil. Drought tolerance develops once established, and it tolerates moderate salt spray but is sensitive to high salinity in the root zone. Propagation is by seeds, with germination taking about 5–8 months after planting and the fruit pulp removed prior to sowing. It is commonly used for streets, parks, and commercial landscapes but is often too large for typical residential lots; it has a self-cleaning habit with old leaves dropping regularly and requires minimal pruning. Common pests include the royal palm bug, and diseases such as Ganoderma butt rot and Thielaviopsis trunk rot can occur, so avoid wounding the upper trunk. Regular fertilization with palm fertilizer helps prevent nutrient deficiencies, including potassium, manganese, and boron.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

50-113 feet

Spread

20-25 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 10-11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun.

Soil Type

Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

6.0-7.5

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer (including late summer), several times a year.

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Fast growth

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds, bees, bats, and butterflies