Piccabeen Palm Plant Care
Archontophoenix cunninghamiana H.Wendl. & Drude
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Archontophoenix cunninghamiana – commonly known as Bangalow palm, king palm, Illawarra palm or piccabeen palm – is a tree in the palm family Arecaceae, which is endemic to the east coast of New South Wales and Queensland, Australia.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect to full sun
60–85°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Piccabeen Palm?
Water Piccabeen Palm every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Piccabeen Palm Native To?
What Is the Piccabeen Palm?
Piccabeen Palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana) belongs to the Arecaceae family within the Archontophoenix genus. Piccabeen Palm is native to the east coast of New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. Piccabeen Palm is also known as Cabbage Palm, King Palm.
Piccabeen Palm displays a tall, elegant palm tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Piccabeen Palm produces creamy white flowers in large clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 36 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Piccabeen Palm?
Archontophoenix cunninghamiana 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 Piccabeen Palm Need?
Piccabeen Palm thrives in bright indirect to full sun. The optimal light range is 2,000–8,000 lux. Avoid placing Piccabeen Palm in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to full sun
2,000–8,000 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Piccabeen Palm Prefer?
Archontophoenix cunninghamiana grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Piccabeen Palm prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Piccabeen Palm?
Well-draining, rich soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Piccabeen Palm to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Piccabeen Palm?
Feed Piccabeen 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 Piccabeen 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 Piccabeen Palm?
Piccabeen Palm can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to giant king palm plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Piccabeen Palm Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Piccabeen 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 Piccabeen Palm?
Piccabeen 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 Piccabeen Palm Need?
Piccabeen Palm grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Piccabeen Palm is native to the east coast of New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. In cooler regions, grow Piccabeen Palm as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Piccabeen 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 Archontophoenix genus — compare its care with other Archontophoenix species on PlantoScan.
Archontophoenix is part of the Arecaceae plant family — browse all Arecaceae genera and species.
Piccabeen 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: Archontophoenix cunninghamiana H.Wendl. & Drude, family Arecaceae (first published in Linnaea 39: 214 (1875)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Piccabeen 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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