Syagrus schizophylla

The Syagrus schizophylla, known as Arikuriroba in its native Brazil, is a remarkable small indoor palm tree. Small in size but truly splendid, it is not very demanding in terms of soil and rather easy to grow. It is characterized by a short false trunk with leaf remnants topped by a regular, slightly flattened dome crown composed of large, intensely green pinnate and serrated leaves. It has a graceful and original silhouette that will make a statement on the terrace in the summer but also in the conservatory in winter. Slow-growing, it can be grown in a container for many years.

The Syagrus schizophylla belongs to the large family of Arecaceae. It is native to the Brazilian coast, where it is frequently used in landscaping. It is found there on sandy soils, alongside forest plants. An adult plant can withstand temperatures below -3°C.

Its trunk, called a stipe, is solitary, strongly marked with remnants of old petioles. This Syragus reaches about 5 m in height with a spread of 2.50 m in the ground, but will remain much smaller in a container. At the top of the stipe, a crown of large palmate leaves develops. Each leaf is composed of numerous narrow, leathery, and rigid pinnae, with a shiny green color. Flowering occurs in late summer, even on relatively young plants. It takes the form of branched inflorescences that emerge between the leaves, looking different depending on whether they are male or female specimens. Male inflorescences are shorter, resembling brooms. Female ones are long, pendulous, adorned with small cream-white flowers. These small flowers are followed by non-edible but decorative, ovoid fruits, resembling miniature coconuts.

The Syragus schizophylla thrives if it is not lacking in water, heat, or nutrients. It tolerates container cultivation very well and makes a superb indoor plant for spacious bright entrances, conservatories, and temperate greenhouses. It can sometimes be challenging to pair due to its strong personality: reserve a corner of a terrace for it and place Phormiums, cycads, or ornamental gingers near it, for example.