Trithrinax campestris

The Argentinean palm Trithrinax campestris is a very hardy palm, which gets more and more usual in northern parts of Europe. Even small individuals manage several freezing degrees. Established trees handles down to       - 10 °C fairly well, if the length of the cold period does not last for several days. If the palm is damaged by the frost it is slow to heal, so this should definitely be avoided. During the winter the soil should be rather dry. Good drainage is very important, because it does not want much water during summer either. Like with many other palms, Trithrinax campestris needs much summer heat and sun to obtain its winter hardiness. The mildest areas of Norway’s southern coast and southern Sweden should have warm and sunny enough summers for some growth.

Under good conditions Trithrinax can reach 4-5 metres in height, but in most cases not more than 3 metres. When it comes to speed of growth, it could be compared to Chamaerops humilis. Trithrinax campestris creates suckers and often a crooked trunk. A characteristic feature worth to be mentioned is that the trunk usually gets thicker higher up.

The leaves of Trithrinax campestris make out an own chapter in description. They are extremely stiff and they can range in colour from grey-green to blue-green. The crown is often small and the number of leaves is limited. Under sunny conditions the leafstalks get very short. In Scandinavia you will experience longer stalks.

The palm thrives in soil where sand is the dominating part. The palm does not like to be moved. This can be seen on the normally bad growth a long time after moved to another place. The bad growth can last for years. So it is extremely important, if moved, to create the new soil-mixture as equal to the old as possible. Adaptation is no longer needed and much time is saved.

Trithrinax campestris cannot be characterized as an easy plant for the Scandinavian garden, because of the relative high demands for summer heat and that the cold periods should not last too long