Arecaceae
Bottle Palm: Pet-Safe Plant
Hyophorbe lagenicaulis
Requires plenty of light, constant warmth, and high ambient humidity. It is crucial to avoid waterlogging and temperatures below 15°C (59°F).
Every 7 days
Bright indirect
18° - 35°C
60% - 90%
Categories
What is Bottle Palm?
Bottle Palm (Hyophorbe lagenicaulis) is a medium-care plant from the Arecaceae family. Hyophorbe lagenicaulis, commonly known as the Bottle Palm, is a unique species native to Round Island, Mauritius. It is characterized by its remarkably swollen trunk at the base, which tapers upwards, resembling a bottle. This is an extremely slow-growing palm with elegant, arching pinnate leaves. A...
Bottle Palm grows up to 3.5m, spread of 250cm, watering every 7 days, 18°C – 35°C, 60–90% humidity. It is suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many popular species, Bottle Palm is safe to keep around pets. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 14 days.
How to Care for Bottle Palm?
TLDR: Bottle Palm needs Bright indirect, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between 18-35°C with 60-90% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Bottle Palm?
Water when the top of the substrate is dry. In winter, drastically reduce watering but maintain ambient humidity.
How Much Light Does Bottle Palm Need?
Prefers bright indirect light indoors or full sun outdoors if the climate is very humid. Avoid abrupt changes in lighting.
What Is the Best Soil for Bottle Palm?
Use a mix rich in organic matter but with excellent drainage, such as a combination of garden soil, coarse sand, and peat.
What Pot Should You Use for Bottle Palm?
Heavy clay or ceramic pot to balance the weight of the trunk and allow root transpiration.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 30 days
Misting
Every 2 days
Rotate
Every 15 days
Repot
Every 730 days
What Is Bottle Palm and Where Does It Come From?
Hyophorbe lagenicaulis, commonly known as the Bottle Palm, is a unique species native to Round Island, Mauritius. It is characterized by its remarkably swollen trunk at the base, which tapers upwards, resembling a bottle. This is an extremely slow-growing palm with elegant, arching pinnate leaves. Although it is an endangered species in its natural habitat, it is very popular in tropical landscaping and as a houseplant due to its sculptural and compact form.
How to Propagate Bottle Palm?
Propagation by seeds
- Patience is key, as germination is erratic and slow.
- Use preventive fungicide to prevent the seed from rotting.
- 1 Seed preparation
Remove the fruit pulp and soak the seeds in warm water for 48-72 hours, changing the water daily.
- 2 Sowing
Sow in a mix of peat and perlite, lightly covering the seed.
- 3 Bottom heat
Maintain a constant temperature of 27-30°C (80-86°F) and high humidity to stimulate germination.
Materials needed:
How Big Does Bottle Palm Grow?
TLDR: Bottle Palm can reach up to 3.5m tall with Slow growth rate.
Max height
3.5m
Spread
2.5m
Growth rate
Slow
Foliage
Evergreen
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
Meaning & Symbolism
Represents resilience and uniqueness due to its distinctive shape and origin on a remote island.
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Fieldcap | Medium | Low light | 2d | ⚠️ |
| Azalea | Medium | Partial shade | 3d | ⚠️ |
| Muriel's Bamboo | Medium | Partial shade | 3d | ✓ |
| Bougainvillea | Medium | Direct sun | 7d | ⚠️ |
