#643 Copernicia baileyana Common Names: Bailey palm, yarey palm Family: Arecacea/Palmae (palm Family) Get link to this Profile or click for data record #643

A trio of big burly Bailey palms dominate their territory at the Fairchild Tropical Garden in Miami, Florida.

Location
Bailey palm is native to dry savanna and woodland areas of Cuba where several other members of the genus Copernicia including the Cuban wax palm (like C. hospita and C. macroglossa) also occur.

Culture
In its native range, Bailey palm grows in poor soil and under dry conditions. Normally considered a slow grower, it responds exceptionally well to fertilization and moist, well drained soil.
Light: Likes bright, sunny conditions but will tolerate partial shade. Bailey palm does best in full sun.
Moisture: Bailey palm is highly tolerant of drought, but thrives in moist soil with good drainage.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 9B - 10. Adult Bailey palms are considered cold hardy down to about 24-26ºF (-3.3 - -4.4ºC), but foliage damage may occur at these temperatures.
Propagation: By seeds which germinate in from 4 to 12 weeks.

The flower stalks of Bailey palm extend well beyond the leaves.

Features
Bailey palm is considered one of the most "stately" of all palms. The renowned Fairchild Tropical Garden in Miami recommends Bailey palm as one of the ten best palms for South Florida. Bailey palm is now available from some nurseries and seed providers but still is considered quite rare and a real prize outside of its native Cuba. Even young Bailey palms are considered highly desirable due to their very large, curving fan leaves. These leaves make impressive patterns of shadows and filtered light. Bailey palm is a source of wax and is used in its native Cuba for making brooms.

Young Bailey palms also make attractive specimens.

Chuck McLendon 3/19/00; updated 4/19/00, 1/9/04, 11/8/08

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