Samoa Palm Plant Care

Samoa Palm (Clinostigma samoense) belongs to the Arecaceae family within the Clinostigma genus. Samoa Palm is native to foothill and montane rain forest from 510 to 1000 metres elevation, most abundantly around Lake Lanoto‘o from 510 to 750 m elevation, and less commonly on Mt. Samoa Palm is also known as Samoan Palm.

Samoa Palm displays a tall, elegant palm growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 5 ft. Samoa Palm produces produces small, inconspicuous flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 36 inches.

Clinostigma samoense 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.

Samoa Palm thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing Samoa Palm in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Clinostigma samoense grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Samoa Palm prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Rich, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Samoa Palm to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Samoa 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

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.

Samoa Palm can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to exorrhizum palm plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Samoa 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.

Samoa Palm grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Samoa Palm is native to foothill and montane rain forest from 510 to 1000 metres elevation, most abundantly around Lake Lanoto‘o from 510 to 750 m elevation, and less commonly on Mt. In cooler regions, grow Samoa Palm as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.