Queen palm (jerivá) Syagrus romanzoffiana
Queen palm (jerivá) (Syagrus romanzoffiana) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Arecaceae family, native to South-eastern Brazil to Paraguay, Uruguay and north-eastern Argentina. It grows 10–15 m (33–49 ft) tall and 5–7 m (16–23 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -6 °C (21 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
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Queen palm (jerivá) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Arecaceae |
| Mature height | 10–15 m (33–49 ft) |
| Mature spread | 5–7 m (16–23 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -6 °C (21 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit pulp |
| Native to | South-eastern Brazil to Paraguay, Uruguay and north-eastern Argentina |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇲🇽 Mexico |
| Invasive in | Florida, Queensland, New South Wales: check local rules before planting |
Is Queen palm (jerivá) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
The thin orange pulp is edible; fallen fruit ferments and attracts wasps.
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 Queen palm (jerivá)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Queen palm (jerivá)
- How far apart should I plant Queen palm (jerivá)?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–7 m (16–23 ft).
- Does Queen palm (jerivá) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Queen palm (jerivá) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Queen palm (jerivá)?
- It tolerates about -6 °C (21 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Queen palm (jerivá) flower?
- From about May for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Queen palm (jerivá) 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. The thin orange pulp is edible; fallen fruit ferments and attracts wasps.
- What grows well with Queen palm (jerivá)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Queen palm (jerivá). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- Flora e Funga do Brasil, Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (REFLORA)
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
Notes and assumptions
- A fast, slender feather palm with plumose arching leaves; among the most planted palms in Brazil, Florida, California and Australia. Needs manganese and potassium on alkaline soils (frizzle top).
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