Lipstick Palm 'Apple Form' (Cyrtostachys renda hybrid)

Available sometime in 2026.  Click "Notify Me When Available" to get on our waiting list.  You will be automatically notified by email as soon as the status changes to "In-Stock".

Description: The ‘Apple Form’ of the common Lipstick Palm is a variety shrouded in mystery.  It first appeared in Australian gardens and then Hawaiian Gardens.  No one knows its exact origin, but for those who can grow Cyrtostachys (they need a protected Zone 10b or a Zone 11 climate), it is one of those “Holy Grail” type of plants.  We have identified it as a hybrid due to its leaf morphology- having widely spaced leaflets that are thinner than pure C. renda, a slightly-faster growth habit than pure C. renda, and slightly more cold tolerance.  It could be a hybrid between C. renda and C. elegans or C. renda and another one of the Cytrostachys.  Some say it is a hybrid between C. renda ‘red form’ and C. renda ‘yellow form’, but that would mean it is still technically a pure C. renda and is just a cultivar, not a true interspecific hybrid, so we don’t believe that to be the case.  It’s crownshaft and trunk have interesting variegation on them, reminiscent of a Fuji Apple or similar.  It requires copious amounts of water and will not like cold temps.  It is a great addition to the most discerning collector’s garden, whether kept in a pot to be enjoyed, or planted in the garden.

Sun Requirements: Heavy shade to full sun

Growth Rate: Slow (slightly faster than pure C. renda)

Fertilizer: Moderate

Cold Tolerance: USDA Zone 11 (possibly Zone 10b if protected from wind and cold)

Growth Tips: Do not allow the soil to dry out and protect it from high winds and areas exposed to the elements.  This variety tends to do well in the following growing locations:

-courtyard

-atrium

-in a dense forest

-south-facing location up against a white or dark wall

-planted in a pot that is submerged in a pond

-planted around the edge of a pond where its roots can tap into the water table

-kept in a pot (helpful if it needs to be brought in during a frost)

Description of what you are buying: A live palm tree about 8-12 inches (20-30cm) tall currently growing in a 3x8 inch Treepot (pictured).

Where we ship: FREE USPS Priority Mail within the United States.  We are certified to ship to all lower 48 states, including TX, AZ, and CA, plus most foreign countries (with a phytosanitary certificate).  We do not ship to HI or AK.  For international orders, we send via USPS Global Express mail including phyto, invoice, customs declaration, and packing slip (billed separately). 

When we ship: Orders are shipped Monday morning and Wednesday afternoon each week (except for holidays).  We do our best to check on the weather between Florida and the final destination and may need to delay shipping a bit during winter to avoid frost en route. 

How we ship: All palms are shipped bare-root with moist sphagnum moss and are cushioned with newspaper to ensure a safe journey to your home.