Licuala spinosa
 
Common Names Mangrove Fan Palm, Spiny Licuala
 
Zones 10a–11
 
A densely clustering fan palm native to Southeast Asia—including Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, and the Philippines—Licuala spinosa thrives in wet, coastal habitats and lowland swamp forests. Unlike most Licuala species, it prefers full sun and tolerates seasonal flooding, making it ideal for tropical gardens with high water availability. Its sharply armed petioles and bold, circular leaves give it a dramatic, architectural presence.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Clustering; suckering freely from base
Height: 10–16 ft (3–5 m); stems ~1 in (2.5 cm) diameter
Trunk: Multiple; slender; fiber-covered
Leaves: Peltate-orbicular; 14–19 segments; dark green; up to 5 ft (1.5 m) wide; squared-off tips
Petioles: Up to 6.5 ft (2 m) long; armed with black spines along entire length
Inflorescence: Upright to pendulous; emerges from leaf bases; up to 10 ft (3 m) long; branching to two orders
Fruit: Globose; smooth; orange to red when ripe; ~0.3 in (8 mm) diameter
Ecology: Found in mangrove margins, peat swamps, and alluvial lowlands; tolerates brackish water and seasonal inundation2
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Watering: High; thrives in wet soils
Soil: Rich, loamy or sandy; tolerates poor drainage
Temperature: Prefers 75–88°F (24–31°C); cold hardy to ~28°F (–2°C)
Humidity: High
Propagation: By seed; germinates in 6–8 weeks when fresh
Tolerance: Excellent flood and salt tolerance; wind-resistant when mature
 
Landscape Use Ideal for tropical water gardens, pond margins, and coastal plantings. Pairs well with Nypa fruticans, Cryosophila warscewiczii, and Cyperus papyrus.