Intro
The Rhapis is also called the Bamboo palm, because the trunk resembles bamboo. It is an air-purifying plant that really catches the attention and is easy to care for. The Rhapis belongs to the plant family Arecaceae
Location
The Rhapis does not need a lot of light, but also not too little. When there is too little light, the plant will not grow so make sure you have some sunlight. About 5 meters from a window on the west or east is the maximum. But closer is also possible. Do not place the plant too close, because then the leaves may discolour and the ornamental value may decrease.
Watering
The Rhapis is mainly found in relatively darker places, which also means that less water is used and less water is needed. When the Rhapis is in more sun, it will also need a little more water. Generally assume that you need to maintain a slightly moist soil. Make sure the soil is not too wet, this can lead to root rot.
Nutrition
It is recommended to give extra plant nutrition once every 2 weeks in spring and summer. See the packaging for the dosage.Never overfeed. Too much nutrition is also not good because then the soil can become acidic and that is bad for the roots.
Repotting
The roots of the Rhapis don’t grow that fast, so you don’t have to repot the plant so much. You probably only need to repot after 4 or 5 years. You will see this soon enough when the roots grow out of the pot.
Origin
The plant originates from South-East Asia and China. Unfortunately it is said that the Rhapis is no longer to be found in the wild. This is due to the increasing popularity in living rooms. The plant will not die out for the time being, the growers will take care of that.
Diseases
The Rhapis is not specifically susceptible to certain diseases. It is recommended to check regularly for spider mites and aphids.
Discoloration of the leaves of the plant can indicate that the plant is in a too light place or that the plan is in a low air humid place.