Thrinax radiata
 
Common Names Florida Thatch Palm, Caribbean Thatch Palm, Silk-Top Palm
 
Zones 10a–11
 
A slender, solitary fan palm native to coastal regions of Florida, the Caribbean, and Central America, Thrinax radiata is prized for its graceful canopy, salt tolerance, and wildlife value. Its white fruits and deeply split palmate leaves distinguish it from similar genera like Coccothrinax. Slow-growing and elegant, it thrives in sandy, calcareous soils and is ideal for beachside landscapes and restoration of maritime habitats.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; upright; very slow-growing
Height: 10–20 ft (3–6 m); up to 30 ft (9 m) over decades
Trunk: Slender; 3–5 in (7–13 cm) diameter; gray, rough, often shaggy with persistent leaf bases
Leaves: Palmate; 12–20 fronds per crown; induplicate, circular, slightly folded; segments split halfway and droop at tips; green above, silvery below; hastula prominent
Inflorescence: Bisexual white flowers; branched to 2–3 orders; arching, up to 3 ft (90 cm) long; flowers year-round, peak in spring
Fruit: White drupes; 1–1.5 in (2.5–3.8 cm) diameter; eaten by birds and mammals
Ecology: Native to coastal scrub, dunes, and limestone outcrops from Florida to Honduras; seeds dispersed by birds, bats, and monkeys2
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun to part shade
Watering: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established
Soil: Sandy, well-drained; tolerates limestone and poor fertility
Temperature: Sensitive to frost; protect below 40°F (4°C)
Humidity: Tolerant of dry and humid air
Propagation: By seed; slow germination
Tolerance: Salt, drought, poor soils, wind
 
Landscape Use Ideal for coastal gardens, poolside containers, and restoration of maritime habitats. Adds vertical interest and tropical texture. Pairs well with Coccothrinax argentata, Serenoa repens, and Acoelorrhaphe wrightii.