About
Pandanus utilis, the useful screw pine, is a tender, evergreen, palm-like tree to 6 m producing glossy, sword-shaped leaves with stiff, red spines along the margins, arranged in a spiralling formation at the branch tips. An impressive, architectural tree for a tropical garden or large, heated greenhouse.
About the genus
Pandanus, the screw pines, are evergreen shrubs and trees with terminal rosettes of spiralling, linear, spine-edged leaves. Male and female flowers are borne on separate plants, males in branched spikes and females in cone-like heads. Grown as dramatic architectural specimens in tropical gardens and heated glasshouses.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesSpecimen planting, large borders, parkland settings.
Native toMadagascar
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. In growth, water moderately and apply a balanced liquid feed monthly; water sparingly in winter
PruningSee pruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by sowing pre-soaked seed as soon as ripe or in spring; remove suckers or offsets in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects and glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free