Loulu palm Pritchardia hillebrandii
Loulu palm (Pritchardia hillebrandii) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Arecaceae family, native to Molokaʻi, Hawaii (coastal cliffs and islets). It grows 5–8 m (16–26 ft) tall and 3–5 m (10–16 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
Plan Loulu palm in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Loulu palm at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Arecaceae |
| Mature height | 5–8 m (16–26 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Molokaʻi, Hawaii (coastal cliffs and islets) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Loulu palm toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Loulu palm
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Loulu palm in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Na ʻĀina Kai Botanical Gardens (5 plants)
Questions about Loulu palm
- How far apart should I plant Loulu palm?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–5 m (10–16 ft).
- Does Loulu palm need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Loulu palm need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Loulu palm?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Loulu palm flower?
- From about April for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Loulu palm poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Loulu palm?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Loulu palm. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plant database and Hawaiian native plants, National Tropical Botanical Garden (Kauaʻi)
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: outdoors only where frost never occurs; elsewhere under heated glass.
- Hawaii's only native palms are Pritchardia (loulu); this one has silvery-blue fans and tolerates salt wind.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Coconut palm Cocos nucifera
- Date palm Phoenix dactylifera
- Açaí palm Euterpe oleracea
- Mexican fan palm Washingtonia robusta
- African oil palm Elaeis guineensis
- Areca palm (golden cane palm) Dypsis lutescens
- Chilean wine palm Jubaea chilensis
- Joey palm Johannesteijsmannia altifrons