Photo: Greg III EsperaCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Christmas Palm Plant Care
Adonidia merrillii (Becc.) Becc.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its vibrant red fruit clusters contrasting against its bright green feather-like fronds, this plant originates from the Philippines. Adonidia merrillii is highly desired by plant collectors for its compact size, low maintenance requirements, and ability to thrive in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect light
65–85°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Christmas Palm?
Water Christmas Palm every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Christmas Palm Native To?
What Is the Christmas Palm?
Christmas Palm (Adonidia merrillii) belongs to the Arecaceae family within the Adonidia genus. Christmas Palm is native to the Philippines. Christmas Palm is also known as Dwarf Royal Palm, Manila Palm.
Christmas Palm displays an upright, clumping palm growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Christmas Palm produces small white flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 24 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Christmas Palm?
Adonidia merrillii requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Christmas Palm Need?
Christmas Palm thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Christmas Palm in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Christmas Palm Prefer?
Adonidia merrillii grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Christmas Palm prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Christmas Palm?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Christmas Palm to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Christmas Palm?
Feed Christmas Palm every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Christmas Palm?
Repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Christmas Palm?
Christmas Palm can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to christmas palm plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Christmas Palm Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Christmas Palm, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Christmas Palm?
Christmas Palm is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Christmas Palm Need?
Christmas Palm grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Christmas Palm is native to the Philippines. In cooler regions, grow Christmas Palm as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10b – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Christmas Palm is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Adonidia genus — compare its care with other Adonidia species on PlantoScan.
Adonidia is part of the Arecaceae plant family — browse all Arecaceae genera and species.
Christmas Palm thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Adonidia merrillii (Becc.) Becc., family Arecaceae (first published in Philipp. J. Sci. 14: 329 (1919)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Christmas Palm, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Greg III Espera, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10b – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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