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 reaching taller heights over time.

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 give it room for the long, ribbon-like leaf segments to hang naturally. Avoid planting too close to narrow walkways where the 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 and is known for its long, drooping leaf segments that create a ribbon-like effect. It has a lighter, more graceful appearance than many stiff fan palms, making it a good choice for landscapes that need tropical texture without a heavy canopy. As it matures, it develops a clean trunk and an elegant crown that works well in Florida-style tropical plantings.