Ribbon Fan Palm / Weeping Cabbage Palm

Scientific Name: Livistona decora

Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade. It performs best in full sun once established but can tolerate some light shade.

Height: Typically 20–30 ft. tall in Florida landscapes, with older specimens capable of growing taller over time.

Plant Spacing: Space about 12–15 ft. apart for single specimens, loose rows, or groupings. Allow at least 8–10 ft. from walkways, walls, pools, and structures so the long ribbon-like leaf segments have room to hang naturally.

Growth Habit: Slow to moderate-growing single-trunk fan palm with a slender trunk and long, deeply divided fan leaves. The thin leaf segments hang downward like ribbons, giving the palm a soft, weeping appearance.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 9b–11; moderately cold hardy and can tolerate brief dips into the upper 20s once established; moderately drought tolerant once established; moderate salt tolerance, though it is best protected from heavy direct oceanfront salt spray.

Maintenance Info: Low to moderate maintenance. Remove old fronds as needed and use palm fertilizer during the growing season to maintain good color. Plant in well-drained soil and avoid over-pruning so the natural weeping form stays attractive. Avoid planting too close to narrow walkways where the hanging fronds may interfere with foot traffic.

Best Uses in the Landscape: Excellent as a specimen palm, tropical accent, pool-area palm, courtyard palm, entryway planting, or commercial landscape feature. Its graceful weeping leaves make it useful where a softer, more elegant fan palm look is desired.

Plant Info: Ribbon Fan Palm is native to eastern Australia. The name “Ribbon Fan Palm” comes from its fan-shaped leaves that split into long, narrow hanging segments, almost like green ribbons. It is also sometimes called Weeping Cabbage Palm because of the soft drooping look of the leaves. In Florida landscapes, it gives a lighter, more graceful appearance than many stiff fan palms and works well when customers want tropical texture with movement and elegance.