The term “purple palm plant” is a general descriptor, not a specific species with truly purple leaves. The plant most commonly associated with this name is Dypsis leptocheilos, also known as the Red Feather Palm or Teddy Bear Palm. This palm is highly valued for its distinctive purplish-red crownshaft, which provides a striking visual accent. Originating from Madagascar, Dypsis leptocheilos is a popular ornamental plant in various landscapes and indoor settings.
Identifying Your Purple Palm
Identifying Dypsis leptocheilos involves recognizing several unique physical characteristics. Its most prominent feature is the crownshaft, located just below the leaves, which displays a distinctive reddish-brown or purplish-red color and a fuzzy, velvet-like texture. This fuzzy covering gives it the common name “Teddy Bear Palm.” The crownshaft bulges slightly from the stem, creating a notable contrast with the rest of the trunk.
The leaves are pinnate, or feather-shaped, typically reaching 8 to 10 feet long. These dark green fronds arch slightly, often with drooping leaflets about 18 inches long and an inch wide. The trunk is slender, clean, and often has a white, waxy appearance, prominently ringed by the scars of fallen fronds. While it can grow up to 40 feet tall in its native environment, its growth rate is moderate, reaching 20 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide in cultivation.
Essential Care for Purple Palms
Caring for Dypsis leptocheilos involves providing conditions that mimic its tropical origins to ensure healthy growth.
Light Requirements
Dypsis leptocheilos flourishes in bright, indirect light. It tolerates partial shade, especially in hotter climates, but prolonged direct sunlight can cause leaf scorch. Indoors, position the palm near a bright window receiving filtered light, such as an east or north-facing window. Outdoors, a location with afternoon shade is preferred to protect the foliage from intense sun.
Watering Needs
Maintain consistent soil moisture for Dypsis leptocheilos, but avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, specifically when the top inch or two feels dry. Proper drainage is important, as the palm does not tolerate sitting in wet soil.
Soil and Potting
A well-draining soil mix rich in organic matter provides the best growing medium for the Red Feather Palm. Avoid heavy, water-retentive soils that can become waterlogged. When potting, select a container with adequate drainage holes to facilitate water runoff. Repot into a larger container when the plant becomes root-bound, indicated by slowed growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Dypsis leptocheilos thrives in warm, tropical conditions, ideally above 50°F (10°C). It is sensitive to cold temperatures and requires protection from frost. This palm also needs high humidity to maintain its lush appearance. To increase humidity, especially indoors, consider misting the foliage regularly, placing the pot on a pebble tray, or using a room humidifier.
Fertilizing
During its active growing season, typically spring and summer, Dypsis leptocheilos benefits from regular fertilization. Apply a balanced, slow-release palm-specific fertilizer or a quality liquid fertilizer during this period. Fertilize sparingly, about 6 inches away from the palm’s base, following product instructions. Heavy salts in cheaper fertilizers can harm the roots, so choose a trusted brand.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Even with proper care, Dypsis leptocheilos can encounter some common issues.
Browning leaf tips or edges often indicate insufficient humidity or underwatering. Increase ambient humidity through misting or a pebble tray, and ensure consistent soil moisture. Yellowing leaves, particularly older ones, can signal overwatering or poor drainage. Nutrient deficiencies can also cause yellowing, corrected with appropriate fertilization.
Dypsis leptocheilos can be susceptible to common palm pests like spider mites or mealybugs. Inspect foliage regularly to detect infestations early; organic treatment methods, such as insecticidal soap applications, can control them. Stunted growth often points to insufficient light, inadequate nutrients, or improper watering. Adjusting these factors helps the palm resume healthy growth.
Growing Purple Palms Indoors and Outdoors
Dypsis leptocheilos is versatile and can be grown successfully indoors and outdoors, depending on the climate.
As an indoor plant, the Red Feather Palm is appealing for its distinctive appearance and tropical aesthetic. It requires careful placement to ensure bright, indirect light and to accommodate its mature size, which can be substantial even in a container.
Outdoors, Dypsis leptocheilos thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 11, where temperatures remain warm and frost is rare. In these tropical and subtropical regions, it makes an excellent addition to garden landscapes, tolerating a range of light levels from full sun in humid climates to partial shade. When grown outdoors, protect the palm from strong winds, which can shred its delicate fronds.