Archontophoenix alexandrae, the Royal Palm, grows in the tropical rainforests of Australia. It grows to heights exceeding 25 meters high. Its width will vary from 2 to 5 meters. The Royal Palm must be grown in a glasshouse or a veranda because of its tropical needs. It is fast to grow. The palm’s stipe is cylindrical and around 30 cm wide. The evergreen foliage is made up of palms 2 to 3.5 meters long with a very visible central nervure. The divided leaflets are supple. They are green on the front and grey-green on the back. The palm produces 40 to 80 cm long inflorescences, formed by three bracts, two males and one female. Small violet flowers grow at the end of these inflorescences. The fruits of archontophoenix alexandrae are small, round, red and abundant. Hardiness zones 10-11 (1°C/35°F,4°C/40°F) in winter. The leaves die with temperatures below 5°C. The plant dies at -3°C. Humidity and cold temperatures will make the palm frail and more subject to illnesses. The soil must be neutral and rich. The Royal Palm needs a couple of hours of light everyday, but direct sun can be harmful. Watering must only be done when the soil has dried out. The Royal Palm requires a soft and well-drained soil, preferably containing organic substances. Fertilize weekly during its growth and once a year after. The plant will need to be watered regularly during its growth, but once it is over, you will only need to water two days after the soil has dried. Place the palm in a half-shade half-sun spot. Planting The King Palm prefers sun and needs well-drained soil. This palm also reaches a height of 30 feet or more. Choose a spot where the full height of the plant will not interfere with power lines or other overhead obstructions. If the palm was purchased from a nursery or has been inside and is not used to full sun don’t plant it immediately in the sun. Place it outside in a shady spot and increase its exposure to sun slowly by an hour a day over several weeks time. Once it is acclimated to full sun plant it in the chosen spot. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball, but only as deep as the root ball is. If the roots are planted too deep they will not be able to grow properly. Use a shovel and score the sides of the hole to loosen the dirt. This will help the roots penetrate through the soil in its new home. Mix the soil from the hole and the pot the tree came in with sand to create a mix of 2 parts soil, 1 part sand. This will ensure proper drainage. Do not add any fertilizer at this time. Wet the bottom of the hole and shovel in a thin layer of the soil mixture. This will help reduce the shock to the plant when it is placed in its new home. Get the roots of the palm wet and place it in the center of the hole. Fill in the hole with the remaining soil and sand mixture. Add three inches of organic mulch around the palm tree. Water the plant thoroughly. Do not allow the soil around the new palm tree to dry out for the first two weeks. Water daily to ensure the ground stays wet. This helps the roots grow. Growing King Palm trees require regular fertilizer treatments to grow to their full height. Do not fertilize until the King Palm has grown a new spear. Use a continuous release fertilizer that will feed the plant for several months at a time. Fertilize during growing season only and place the fertilizer at least two feet away from the trunk. Continue to water the palm as needed during dry times to keep the soil moist. Do not water too much as this will damage the palm. If the leaves are turning yellow and falling off before they dry out the plant may be too wet. Check the moisture of the soil the day after watering and adjust the amount of water accordingly. Soak seeds in water for 2 days. Plant the seeds at 1" depth using well draining soil mixture. Keep damp with high humidity, and bright light. Temperature must be of 20°C at night and about 30°C during the day. The Royal Palm usually grows rapidly, but germination could take a couple of months, don’t get discouraged