Palms & Pandanus Create instant tropical impact with our range of palms and pandanus, all grown and acclimated in the Wet Tropics. These structural plants add height, shade, and bold architectural form to any garden. Our locally propagated varieties are

Palms & Pandanus
Create instant tropical impact with our range of palms and pandanus, all grown and acclimised in the Wet Tropics. These structural plants add height, shade, and bold architectural form to any garden. Our locally propagated varieties are selected for reliability, resilience, and suitability to Far North Queensland’s humidity, rainfall, and rainforest microclimates. Ideal for layered tropical design, wildlife‑friendly landscaping, and long‑term garden performance.

We are currently working on expanding the range of palms we sell online.

Palms & Pandanus

Lush, Architectural Foliage for Wet Tropical Gardens

Palms and Pandanus are essential structure‑builders in any wet tropical garden. Their bold forms, dramatic fronds, and natural resilience make them ideal for creating height, movement, and a true rainforest atmosphere. At El Arish Tropical Exotics, every palm and pandanus we sell is grown and propagated onsite in the Walter Hill Range, ensuring strong, climate‑adapted plants that thrive in Far North Queensland’s humidity, rainfall, and rich soils.

This category brings together species suited to canopy, mid‑storey, and understory planting, giving gardeners the flexibility to design layered, wildlife‑friendly landscapes that feel naturally immersive.

Why Choose Our Palms and Pandanus

Grown and Acclimatised in the Wet Tropics

All plants are propagated and raised onsite, meaning they are already adapted to high humidity, monsoonal rain, and the unique microclimates of the Wet Tropics. This results in stronger root systems, better establishment, and long‑term garden success.

Ideal for Layered Tropical Design

Palms and Pandanus provide essential vertical structure. Use them to create shade, soften hard edges, frame pathways, or anchor garden beds with bold architectural form.

Wildlife‑Friendly Choices

Many species offer habitat, shelter, and food sources for native birds, insects, and small mammals. We prioritise cassowary‑safe and ecologically responsible species suited to rainforest corridors.

Low Maintenance and High Impact

Once established, most palms and pandanus require minimal care. They handle seasonal rainfall, filtered light, and a range of soil types, making them reliable performers in tropical and subtropical gardens.

Best Uses in Wet Tropical Gardens

Creating Shade and Microclimates

Tall palms help cool the garden, protect sensitive understory plants, and replicate natural rainforest layering.

Architectural Focal Points

Pandanus and feature palms add sculptural form, making them ideal for entrances, driveways, and statement plantings.

Screening and Privacy

Clumping palms create natural green walls that soften boundaries and provide year‑round coverage.

Coastal and Wind‑Exposed Sites

Many pandanus species excel in coastal conditions, offering resilience where other plants struggle.

Growing Conditions

Light

Most palms prefer filtered light or part shade, while pandanus species tolerate full sun once established.

Soil

Free‑draining, organic‑rich soil is ideal. Mulch generously to maintain moisture and support soil health.

Water

Regular watering during establishment, followed by natural rainfall for long‑term maintenance.

Fertiliser

Apply a slow‑release, balanced fertiliser during the growing season to support strong foliage and root development.

Cassowary‑Safe Landscaping

We carefully select species that align with cassowary‑safe gardening principles. Our palms and pandanus are chosen for their suitability within rainforest corridors and wildlife‑friendly landscapes.

Explore Our Range

Palms for Wet Tropical Gardens

Palms are the backbone of Wet Tropics landscaping, creating height, structure, and a true rainforest atmosphere. At El Arish Tropical Exotics, we specialise in palms that thrive in the warm, humid conditions of Mission Beach, El Arish, Tully, Innisfail, and Cairns. Our collection includes hardy, high‑impact species suited to tropical gardens, coastal landscapes, and sheltered subtropical microclimates.

Whether you are designing a lush rainforest garden, a resort‑style pool area, or a shaded courtyard, our palms provide the architectural form and tropical character that define Wet Tropics gardening.

Why Choose Palms for Wet Tropics Landscaping

Palms are perfectly adapted to the climate of Far North Queensland. They offer:

Strong vertical structure without heavy shade
Lush, evergreen foliage year‑round
Excellent performance in high humidity and seasonal rainfall
Low maintenance once established
Non‑invasive root systems in most species
Compatibility with rainforest understory plants
A natural fit for coastal and monsoonal environments

Palms are essential for creating layered, tropical landscapes that feel cool, sheltered, and vibrant.

Palms We Grow at El Arish Tropical Exotics

Our palm range changes seasonally, but we typically stock a wide selection of Wet Tropics favourites, including:

Lipstick Palm (Cyrtostachys renda)
Betel Nut Palm (Areca catechu)
Solitaire Palm (Ptychosperma elegans)
Golden Cane Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Foxtail Palm (Wodyetia bifurcata)
Alexander Palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae)
Red Sealing Wax Palm (rare forms)
Cluster palms for screening
Feature palms for architectural landscaping

All palms are grown locally and hardened to Wet Tropics conditions.

Ideal Growing Conditions for Wet Tropics Palms

Climate

Warm, humid environments are ideal.
Excellent performance from Townsville to Cairns and the Cassowary Coast.
Many species also grow well in warm, sheltered parts of South East Queensland.

Light

Most palms thrive in full sun to bright filtered light.
Understory palms prefer dappled shade beneath taller canopy plants.
Young palms benefit from temporary shade during establishment.

Soil

Free‑draining, fertile soil with good organic content.
Mulch heavily to maintain moisture and suppress weeds.
Avoid waterlogged areas unless planting swamp‑tolerant species.

Watering

Regular moisture is essential during establishment.
FNQ rainfall usually supports mature palms.
In SEQ, water deeply during dry winters and spring.

Fertilising

Use a slow‑release palm fertiliser two to three times per year.
Supplement with magnesium and trace elements for deep green foliage.
Liquid seaweed promotes root health and resilience.

Landscaping With Palms in the Wet Tropics

Palms are one of the most versatile elements in tropical garden design. They can be used to:

Create height and structure in rainforest gardens
Frame pathways, driveways, and entrances
Provide soft, filtered shade for understory plants
Add a resort‑style feel around pools and outdoor living areas
Form natural screens and privacy barriers
Highlight water features and shaded courtyards
Build layered tropical plantings with heliconias, gingers, cordylines, and monsteras

Their elegant forms and evergreen foliage make them ideal for both residential and commercial landscapes.

Palms for Mission Beach and the Wet Tropics

Mission Beach offers one of the best climates in Australia for palm cultivation. High humidity, warm temperatures, and reliable rainfall create ideal conditions for:

Fast growth
Strong colour
Dense crowns
Healthy root systems
Minimal maintenance

Many palms that struggle in drier or cooler regions thrive effortlessly in the Wet Tropics.

Larger Palms Available for Pick‑Up

El Arish Tropical Exotics stocks larger, advanced palms for customers wanting immediate impact in their gardens. These are available for pick‑up directly from the nursery, with strong, healthy plants grown in local conditions.