Everglades Palm / Paurotis Palm (Acoelorrhaphe wrightii)

Everglades Palm / Paurotis Palm (Acoelorrhaphe wrightii)

The Everglades Palm—also called the Paurotis Palm—is a hardy, clumping fan palm native to South Florida and the Caribbean. It’s prized for its multiple slender trunks, silver-green fan fronds, and strong performance in wet soils and coastal conditions. It creates a natural, “Florida-tropical” look and works beautifully as a specimen, screen, or accent near water features.

Ideal for: warm-climate landscapes, coastal gardens, wet or low-lying areas, pool areas, natural/privacy screens, and full-sun to part-shade planting.

🌴 Plant Features

Botanical Name: Acoelorrhaphe wrightii
Common Name: Everglades Palm, Paurotis Palm, Silver Saw Palm
Plant Type: Evergreen clumping fan palm
Foliage: Fan-shaped fronds; green to silver-green tones (often more silver in full sun)
Growth Habit: Multi-trunk clumping palm; great for screening and natural groupings
Mature Size:
• Height: ~15–30 ft (varies by climate and care)
• Width/Spread: ~8–15+ ft (clump spread varies)
Visual Style: Natural, coastal-tropical, “Florida native” fan palm
USDA Zones: 9–11 (microclimates vary)

🪴 Care & Maintenance Guide

🌞 Light

Best: Full sun to partial sun
Tolerates: Partial shade (can be greener and slightly looser form)
Tip: Full sun often brings out a more silvery look

💧 Watering

Establishment: Water regularly for the first growing season
After established: Moderate drought tolerance, but also handles consistent moisture
Bonus: Tolerates wet soils better than many palms (excellent for low areas)
Tip: Deep watering + good drainage is ideal, but it’s one of the better palms for imperfect drainage

🪨 Soil

Adaptable—sandy, loamy, or moist soils
Performs well in coastal and periodically wet areas
Containers: Use a well-draining palm mix + drainage holes

🌡️ Temperature & Humidity

Prefers warm climates and humidity
More cold-tolerant than many tropical palms (best in zone-appropriate areas)
Avoid prolonged hard freezes, especially on young plants

🌿 Fertilization

Feed 2–3x per year (spring/summer/fall) with a palm fertilizer including micronutrients (Mg/Mn/Fe)
Tip: Consistent palm nutrition supports greener fronds and stronger growth

✂️ Pruning

Remove only fully brown fronds
Thin stems only if needed to shape the clump (optional)
Avoid over-pruning—keeping green fronds supports faster growth

⚠️ Common Issues

Yellowing fronds: nutrient deficiency (use palm fertilizer with micronutrients)
Brown tips: underwatering, salt buildup, or wind stress
Slow growth: normal; improved with sun + consistent nutrition
Pests: occasional scale—treat early if detected

📦 What You’ll Receive

One healthy Everglades Palm / Paurotis Palm (Acoelorrhaphe wrightii) in a nursery pot.
Natural variations in height, trunk count, and frond fullness are normal. Minor cosmetic markings may occur from normal growing/handling.

Acclimation Tip:
Allow 2–4 days after delivery before planting or repotting. If grown under shade cloth, introduce to stronger sun gradually. Keep evenly moist (not soggy) during the first few weeks to support root establishment.

⚠️ Safety Note

Petiole edges may have small teeth/spines—use gloves when handling or pruning. Keep out of reach of children and pets who may nibble; chewing any plant material may cause mild stomach upset.