Arikury Palm / Parrot Palm
Scientific Name: Syagrus schizophylla
Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade. It can grow in full sun, but younger plants often look best with some filtered light or afternoon shade.
Height: Typically 10–15 ft. tall in Florida landscapes, though it is slow-growing and may stay smaller for many years.
Plant Spacing: Space about 8–10 ft. apart as individual accent palms or loose groupings. Allow extra room near walkways because the old leaf bases and trunk area can be sharp.
Growth Habit: Slow-growing palm with a compact tropical form, arching green fronds, and a rough trunk with old leaf bases that can create a spiny, textured appearance. It is usually used as a smaller specimen palm rather than a large canopy palm.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 9b–11; cold hardy into the upper 20s once established, though hard freezes may damage foliage; moderately drought tolerant once established; moderate salt tolerance and suitable for many Florida landscapes when protected from heavy direct salt spray.
Maintenance Info: Low to moderate maintenance. Remove old fronds as needed and use palm fertilizer during the growing season. Avoid planting too close to walkways, patios, pool edges, or areas where people may brush against it because the old leaf bases can be sharp. Good drainage is important.
Best Uses in the Landscape: Excellent as a small specimen palm, tropical accent, entryway feature, courtyard palm, pool-area accent, or unique focal point in a smaller landscape bed. It works well where customers want something less common than standard Florida palms.
Plant Info: Arikury Palm is native to Brazil and is valued for its compact size, tropical look, and unusual trunk texture. The name “Parrot Palm” is often used because the plant has a colorful, tropical character, especially when it produces yellow-orange fruit clusters that stand out beneath the fronds. It is a good choice for customers who want a palm with personality and a less common look, while still staying manageable in a residential landscape.
