Licuala grandis, the Ruffled Fan Palm or Vanuatu Fan Palm, is a striking small palm prized for its large, glossy, almost circular leaves that are deeply pleated and ruffled at the edges like a green paper fan. Slow-growing with a single slender trunk, it stays compact, making it a sought-after ornamental for shaded gardens, conservatories and bright indoor spaces. Native to humid tropical islands, it demands warmth, steady moisture and protection from harsh sun. Its bold, sculptural foliage gives an instant exotic, resort-style look, and it remains a premium collector's palm for tropical and indoor plantscaping in India.
Specifications
| Family |
Arecaceae |
| Native region |
Vanuatu, Pacific Islands |
| Mature height |
2-3 m |
| Mature spread |
1-1.5 m |
| Growth rate |
Slow |
| Foliage |
Large pleated circular fan leaves, evergreen |
| Flower colour |
Cream (inconspicuous) |
| Flower season |
ā |
| Climate zone |
Tropical, indoor/shade elsewhere |
Care guide
| Sunlight |
Bright indirect light to partial shade |
| Watering |
Keep consistently moist; avoid waterlogging |
| Soil / mix |
Rich, humus, well-drained mix |
| Temperature |
20-32 C; protect below 12 C |
| Humidity |
High humidity essential |
| Fertilizer |
Balanced palm feed in growing season |
| Pruning |
Remove only spent fronds |
| Repotting |
Every 2-3 years; handle roots gently |
| Propagation |
Seeds (slow to germinate) |
| Pests & problems |
Spider mites, scale in dry air |
| Toxicity / safety |
Non-toxic |
| Difficulty |
Moderate to challenging |
Uses
A premium ornamental palm for shaded tropical gardens, atriums, conservatories and bright interiors, prized for its sculptural fan-shaped foliage.
Growing tips
Grow in warm, shaded, humid spots sheltered from wind and direct sun, which tears and burns the leaves. In India keep it as a potted indoor or patio plant in dry or cool regions and maintain high humidity.