Rhapis Lady Palm Plant 10 Seeds Great for Air Purification Rhapis excelsa also known as Broadleaf Lady Palm or "The Lady Palm" is a species of fan palm in the genus Rhapis, probably native to southern China and Taiwan. It is not known in the wild; all known plants come from cultivated groups in China. They were first collected by the Japanese for Tokugawa shogunate palaces, then popularity spread to Europe, and later to America where its low light and humidity requirements make it a common feature in malls and offices. The genus name is Greek - rhapis, meaning "needle"; and the species name is Latin for "tall", an ironic name choice as R. excelsa is not the tallest in the genus. The lady palm, or Rhapis excelsa, is a small fan palm that can do exceedingly well indoors under the right conditions. It grows from multiple stems, each topped with upright fronds. As the name implies, the fronds are split into fan-like segments. The lady palm, sometimes called the bamboo palm or miniature fan palm, is the best suited of all the fan palms to indoor cultivation. Most of the others, such as the imposing Washingtonia or the European fan palm, quickly grow too large for the average room. Growing Conditions: Light: Dappled light is best during the summer. In winter, it can tolerate light shade. Water: Water liberally during the summer, ensuring perfect drainage. In winter, reduce watering to once a month or every other week, depending on the temperature. Temperature: In summer, it thrives at 70F. In winter, keep above 55F and do not expose to drafts. Soil: Rich, loose potting media. Use pebbles or sand to increase drainage. Fertilizer: Slow-release pellets in the beginning of the growing season or biweekly liquid fertilizer. Don't feed in winter. Grower's Tips: Rhapis palms are great plants for the casual palm-lover with moderate space. Even the best R. excelsa will only grow to about 6 feet in height, with a fairly narrow, upright crown, making it perfect for a bright, warm corner. Make sure the plant is well fed during the summer and adequately watered (although no palm should sit in water, so remember to pay attention to drainage). Don't overtrim brown fronds at the expense of the mother plant.