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The Footstool Palm is a decorative fan palm with a solitary trunk, also known as Livistona rotundifolia.
Latin name
Livistona rotundifolia
Pronunciation
(“liv-iss-TOE-nee-ah roe-tun-dee-FO-lee-ah”)
Common name
Livistona rotundifolia
Origin
Indonesia, Malaysia (Borneo) and the Philippines
The fronds are almost completely round (hence rotundifolia), with a folded (almost pleated) appearance at the centre which begin to divide closer to the edge. Even when mature, the fronds are entire for at least 50% of their diameter. The leaf stems (petioles) have spines when young, but these disappear on mature trees – presumably because the animals that eat the foliage at ground level can’t climb trees.
The classification of this plant is confusing. Until 2011, the plant was placed in the genus Livistonia, and before that Corypha. However, new genetic techniques showed that it, and a few other palms named as species of Livistonia, were actually members of a distinct, previously unknown genus which was named Saribus, from its local common name in the Maluku language. However, in cultivation, growers prefer to use the older, more familiar name.
Mildly toxic to pets and humans if ingested. The plant’s leaves and fruits can cause gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting and drooling in cats and dogs.
caring for your plant
Light
Medium-low to medium-high light.
Watering
Keep the soil moist, but not wet and allow to dry out a little between watering.
Pruning
Palms cannot be pruned. Remove any dead or dying fronds by cutting them off at the base with secateurs (the stems can be quite thick and they will need some effort to cut through them).
Feeding
A little dilute fertilizer added to the water every time you water the plant will be beneficial.
pest & diseases
Generally pest-free, but watch for mealybugs, scale and spider mites. Remove mealybugs with a damp cloth, scrape off scale with a blunt tool and deter spider mites by misting or maintaining humidity.
Our plants are grown in Ecoponic, an alternative to soil. Officially known as a vulkaponic substrate, it replaces traditional compost with a clean, mineral-based medium that helps protect peatlands.
According to the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, “A loss of only 5% of UK peatland carbon would be equal to the UK’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.” As well as storing carbon, the natural wetlands where peat is found are critical to the survival of plants and wildlife. Ecoponic also improves plant health and uses water more efficiently.
Find out more about Ecoponic here.
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