Back to Shopping
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details
product-details

Tetrapanax papyrifer
Rice Paper Plant / Hardy Tetrapanax

$18.00 $23.40
This size 5 in stock Product ID: 943245

qty:
size :
CULTURAL CONDITIONS

Plant Min Zone: 5a

Plant Max Zone: 10a

Sunlight: Full Sun, Part Sun

Water / Rainfall: Average, High

Soil Quality: Average

FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE

Bloom Season: Insignificant

Flower Color: Cream, Insignificant

Berry / Fruit Color: None

Spring Foliage Color: Green, Bluish Green

Summer Foliage Color: Green, Bluish Green

Fall Foliage Color: Green, Bluish Green

Evergreen Foliage: No

Winter Interest: No

Scented Flowers: No

PLANT TOLERANCES

Drought Tolerance: Medium

Wet-Feet Tolerance: Medium

Humidity Tolerance: High

Wind Tolerance: Low

Poor Soil Tolerance: Rocky Soils, Sandy Soils, Clay Soils

GROWTH AND MAINTENANCE

Height: 4' - 6'

Width: 4' - 6'

Growth Rate: Medium, Fast

Service Life: Long: 5-10 years

Maintenance Need: High

Spreading Potential: High

Yearly Trimming Tips: Shrub Normally Winter-kills so trim to 3-6" off Ground in Winter or Early Spring: Blooms on New Wood.

PLANT USES AND LIMITATIONS

Plant Grouping Size: Small Grouping of 3-5

Best Side of House: South Exposure, West Exposure, East Exposure

Extreme Planting Locations: Resistant to Rabbits, Base of Retaining Wall Locations

Ornamental Features: Multiple Seasons of Interest, Large Tropical Foliage / Flowers, Exceptional / Colorful Foliage

Special Landscape Uses: Erosion Control

Possible Pest Problems: None

Plant Limitations: Aggressive Rhizomes / Runners, May get Occasional Winter-kill, Needs Thick Winter Mulch

Description

Rice Paper Plant (Tetrapanax papyrifer) is a hardy tropical with large palmate leaves up to 24" across. In warmer zones and in its native habitat in Taiwan, Tetrapanax is a large shrub or small tree with white flowers produced in the fall. However in our Lawrence Kansas zone 6a climate, Tetrapanax is killed down to the ground each year like crapemyrtles and butterfly bush. A thick mulch is appreciated when young but not needed on established plantings. Tetrapanax is not picky about soils or moisture but will display fastest growth in rich, moist, well-drained areas in full sun. Tetrapanax will also tolerate almost full shade when established. Because it spreads by rhizomes, be sure to allow plenty of space or have control methods in place. Generally, chopping off shoots as they emerge as easy enough. Another word of caution is that Tetrapanax contains a white powdery-like cottony substance on near stems and back sides of leaves. This can cause eye and throat irritation so be careful when cutting back to not rub off the dust (or do so up-wind). Tetrapanax is a very rare plant in cultivation but can also be seen at the Wichita botanical gardens, Botanica. There is a giant form called Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Steroidal Giant' available at Plant Delights Nursery in North Carolina with leaves up to 3 feet wide and less spreading but we have not been able to procure or establish this plant in our Lawrence, KS garden. In our trial gardens in Lawrence, KS (zone 6a), three established mulched specimens of Tetrapanax papyrifer have survived for over 10 years including -17 degrees F in 2021. During that arctic blast of February, 2021, lows down to -17 degrees F on Feb 16th, 2021 were recorded. The longevity of this cold blast was also impressive: 10 days on a row with highs of 10-15 degrees F or lower, 8 nights of lows in the single digits and negatives, and 36 straight hours of 0 degrees F and mostly lower. It can also be grown as a potted patio plant; move into a cold garage or basement over the winter with minimal watering. Allow to go dormant as needed with little care, just cut off dead foliage and place back out in April or May with a time-release fertilizer.

×
SCHEDULE SHOPPING APPOINTMENT

No product is added to the cart!

Product has been added to the cart!
;