Nikau (Rhopalostylis sapida) wholesale shop

Our Nikau are sourced from Waitakere seed and propagated in their natural environment...very slowly! Make your order and we will deliver them.

New Zealand's only palm tree and the southernmost palm in the world. Slow growing and found in coastal or low-lying, warm areas

Description:
Growth Habit: The Nikau Palm is a single-stemmed palm that can grow up to 10-15 meters in height. It has a slender trunk with a slightly bulging base and gracefully arching fronds.
Fronds: The fronds of Rhopalostylis sapida are pinnate, meaning they are feather-shaped with leaflets arranged on either side of a central stem. The fronds are typically dark green and have a glossy appearance.
Flowers: This palm produces small, creamy-white flowers that are held on branched inflorescences. The flowers are not showy and are often hidden among the foliage.
Fruit: After flowering, the Nikau Palm produces small, round, red to purple fruit. The fruit is edible but typically not consumed by humans due to its small size and lack of flesh.
 

Growing Conditions:
Sunlight: Rhopalostylis sapida prefers shaded to partially shaded locations. It thrives in areas with filtered or dappled sunlight, making it suitable for growing in shaded garden beds or under the canopy of trees.
Soil: This palm prefers well-draining, fertile soil. It can tolerate various soil types, including sandy, loamy, or clay soils.
Watering: The Nikau Palm prefers consistent moisture and can tolerate damp conditions. Regular watering is essential, especially during dry spells or in hot weather.
Temperature: This palm is well-suited for temperate climates and can tolerate mild frosts. It is not suitable for extremely cold or freezing temperatures.
Maintenance: Rhopalostylis sapida is relatively low-maintenance. Remove any dead or damaged fronds as needed to maintain its appearance.
 

Uses in Landscaping:
Tropical and Coastal Gardens: Ideal for tropical and coastal environments. Its striking appearance and ability to tolerate salt spray make it well-suited for seaside and coastal gardens.

Feature Plant: Works well as a feature plant or focal point in garden designs. Its elegant, feathery fronds and unique trunk structure add visual interest and sophistication.

Low-Maintenance Gardens: Requires minimal care once established. Hardy and adaptable to a range of soil types, making it ideal for low-maintenance landscaping.

Garden Borders and Edges: Useful for creating garden borders or as part of edge plantings. Its upright growth and attractive fronds create a neat and elegant border.

Landscape Design: Effective in landscape design for adding vertical interest and a tropical feel. Works well in combination with other tropical plants to create lush, exotic garden scenes.

Just Nikau Store

Nīkau Palms Rhopalostylis sapida (Tamaki)

NZ$8.00 - NZ$140.00

Only a few left!

Propagated and nurtured in Tamaki from seed and kereru koha

Shop

Nīkau facts

• The nīkau sprouts large clusters of mauve flowers that burst from the base of the lowest branch. The flowers are sticky and sweet with nectar, which attracts insects, especially bees.
• While insects are probably the main pollinators, birds such as tui, bellbirds and silvereyes also enjoy the nīkau nectar. Flowers occur throughout the entire year.
• The bright red nīkau fruits take about one year to ripen and are an important food source for native birds, particularly the wood pigeon/kererū and kākā.
• Nīkau palms have always had importance in Māori life. The leaves were used to thatch houses, to wrap food before cooking, and to weave into hats, mats, baskets, and leggings for travelling through rough undergrowth. The growing spikes can be taken from the tree about every eight months without killing it.
• From the outer portion of the trunk, Māori made storage containers and pots. The hard berries were made into necklaces or eaten when green. The immature flower is edible and can be cooked and eaten like cauliflower. The heart of the developing leaves (called rito) can also be eaten raw, but taking the shoots kills the whole tree.
• The nīkau is very slow-growing. Research conducted in lowland forests near Auckland found it takes 40–50 years to begin to form a trunk and about 200 years to reach 10 m tall. On average two fronds are shed per year leaving behind a leaf scar on the trunk which can be used to give a rough indication of age since the trunk began forming.
• The nīkau is closely related to the betel nut, the seeds of which are used as a laxative. The centre shoots of nīkau can be used in the same way.
•  Note: Growth, height and grade information are given in good faith but are subject to natural variables beyond our control.​