Whatcom Seed Company - Catalog of Rare, Exotic, Unusual Garden Seeds

Archontophoenix alexandrae King Palm Qty $ 2.96 /packet 10 seeds		This handsome, fast-growing Australian palm tolerates light frosts and makes an elegant house plant in a sunny location. If allowed to grow freely, the King Palm may reach 80 feet in height. Feather-shaped leaves are bright green above and silvery-white on the undersides. Very popular and easy to grow. Needs bright light and lots of water. Zone 10+

Asterogyne martiana Pata de Gallo Qty $ 4.94 /packet 10 seeds		A beautiful palm from Central America with simple leaves up to three feet long and a foot wide with a deep notch at the tip. Its maximum height is only 6 or 8 feet, and it grows best in semi-shade in rich and moist soil. It is a real eye-catcher in the understorey of a tropical or warm subtropical garden and also makes an wonderful potted plant indoors. A very popular plant amongst palm collectors. Zone 10+

Beaucarnea recurvata Ponytail Palm Qty $ 3.29 /packet 25 seeds		Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is not a palm, but rather a caudiciform succulent native to Mexico. With its unusual swollen base, the plant makes an impressive potted specimen. Do not overwater! Established plants can store water for up to one year. Watering every 3 or 4 weeks is sufficient. Slow growing, needs full sun to light shade. While in nature Beaucarnea recurvata can sometimes reach 30 feet in height with a base 12 feet across, the plant will grow nowhere near as large in cultivation -- especially when confined to a container. Must always be kept in a frost-free location. Zone 10+

Bismarckia nobilis Bismarck Palm Qty $ 5.38 /packet 5 large seeds		How to do justice to this magnificent palm in just a few words? The Bismarck palm has a full crown of large, silvery blue, circular, fan-shaped leaves and a tall, columnar trunk. The fronds on this palm can get up to 10 feet across. In seedlings and young plants, the leaves are tinged with an unreal purple-red colour. Bismarckia develops fairly quickly into a large and stunning tree that is excellently suited for the subtropical or tropical garden. It is tolerant of drought and a few degrees of frost and wants a place in full sun, such as it enjoys in the highland savannas of its native home of Madagascar. May reach 60 feet in height. Our seeds are collected only from the areas of Madagascar with the best, most silvery blue plants. A winner! Zone 9b+

Brahea armata Blue Hesper Palm Qty $ 3.95 /packet 10 seeds		Probably the bluest of all palms, the silvery Blue Hesper Palm is well suited to hot, dry climates and will withstand frost. Makes a striking accent plant. Slow growing up to 50 feet but seldom seen this tall. Very distinctive and beautiful. Hardy to zone 8 once established. Zone 10+

Butia paraguayensis Dwarf Yatay Palm Qty $ 3.62 /packet 12 seeds		An interesting and rare dwarf Butia, this palm rarely grows to more than 6' tall. It has a short, slender trunk and strongly arching, blue-green leaves, with the leaflets held in a V-shape. This dwarf Butia is most useful as an ornamental palm in the temperate and subtropical garden where it will tolerate summer heat and temperatures down to 23°F. Native to Paraguay, Argentina and Southern Brazil. Zone 9+

Caryota obtusa Giant Fishtail Palm Qty $ 3.95 /packet 5 large seeds		Giant Fish Tail Palm Caryota obtusa is by far the most massive of the fishtail palms. It is found scattered over a vast area between northeast India and northern Thailand, always growing in the mountains. The form from N-Thailand, which has recently been described as C. gigas, has been introduced into cultivation many years back. The true form from the NE-Indian States of Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh however, where William Griffith collected the type specimen for his description of the species in 'Palms of British East India' (1850), has never made it into cultivation. As such we are very pleased to be able to offer this form to you now for the very first time ever. This awesome and majestic fishtail palm has a thick trunk (to 2 or 3 ft in diameter) and huge, flatly held leaves in the manner of a giant tree fern, which it resembles. The seeds germinate quickly, and subsequent growth is extremely fast, up to 3ft per year once established. The Indian form grows in the Himalayan foothills at altitudes of up to about 3300ft, and much further north than the Thai form (C. gigas). While the two are not really differing in looks, the Indian form will likely grow in even cooler conditions, and tolerate even a few more degrees of frost. Grow it where its great size can best be appreciated, and give it plenty of water and fertilizer. Zone 10+

Cycas pectinata Griffith's Cycad Qty $ 8.24 /packet 5 very large seeds		Incredibly Beautiful Cycad A large, beautiful and robust Cycad from northern India and Southeast Asia for warm temperate to tropical areas, rare in cultivation. May reach 50 feet in height. Fast and easy growing, it quickly makes a fabulous landscaping or house plant. Zone 10+

Cycas revoluta Sago Palm Qty $ 4.39 /packet 5 very large seeds		Not a palm at all but the most popular cycad in the world. Often cultivated as a houseplant, growth is slow up to 10' in height. Partial shade. Zone 8+

Cycas siamensis Siamese Cycad Qty $ 5.49 /packet 5 large seeds		An interesting small Cycad from Thailand and neighbouring countries, which has a swollen base to the trunk and an attractive crown containing many recurved, dark green leaves. This is surely a rare cycad of great interest to collectors. Ideal for the tropical to warm temperate garden, it requires partial sun and a plentiful supply of water. Given these, it is easy and reliable, deserving a much greater popularity. May attain about 5ft in height. Zone 10+

Cyrtostachys renda
Red Sealing Wax Palm

Qty $ 3.95 /packet

12 seeds

Unless you live in a warm tropical climate, this gorgeous palm should probably be grown in a container indoors, where it can always be kept above 40° F. Commonly called the sealing wax palm, the Cyrtostachys renda is native to Malaysia, New Guinea and Sumatra. It has a beautiful red crownshaft and will reach a height of about 16 feet. A highly prized specimen!.

Zone 10+

Dioon edule Mexican Cycad Qty $ 4.94 /packet 5 large seeds		You too can own your very own "living fossil", the name often applied to cycads because they have changed very little in the last 200 million years. Dioon edule is truly a handsome and distinctive specimen. And it is one of the most cold hardy cycads. Mature and established plants have been reported to tolerate temperatures down to 9 F for several days. This plant may eventually grow to just over ten feet in height -- a most useful size for landscape design. Dioon edule is always in high demand but seeds are usually quite scarce. Surprisingly easy to grow and care for, the Dioon edule is indeed a prized specimen and bound to attract many admirers. Zone (8b)9+

Dioon spinulosum Giant Dioon Qty $ 7.14 /packet 5 very large seeds		Extremely uncommon cycad species in native habitat endemic to lowland Mexico. This is one of the tallest cycads reaching about 15 feet in height. Slow growing. Similar to Dioon edule yet more palm-like with thinner leaflets and a slender trunk. Seeds are the size of small chicken eggs. Zone 9b+

Dypsis decaryi Triangle Palm Qty $ 3.95 /packet 10 seeds		Very popular palm from Southern Madagascar, Triangle Palm is strictly tropical and will tolerate only light frosts. It is fast growing to about 25 feet under ideal conditions and makes a stunning landscape specimen or very unusual indoor palm. Seeds usually germinate within a month. Zone 10+

Dypsis lastelliana Redneck Palm Qty $ 3.95 /packet 12 seeds		Large palm from Madagascar noted for its striking, rust-red crownshaft. May reach 60 feet in height, but this is rare in cultivation. Similar to D. leptocheilos (Teddy Bear Palm) but is taller, more vivid in color and generally more attractive. The Redneck Palm is slower-growing, but it can still grow up to 3 feet in a year once well established. Must be protected against frost. Not the easiest palm to grow but makes a beautiful houseplant. Zone 10+

Dypsis lutescens Butterfly Palm Qty $ 3.62 /packet 50 seeds		50 seeds Native to Madagascar, this elegant, medium size palm will survive light frosts but is most popular as an indoor potted plant. And the Butterfly Palm is a good choice for a first attempt at growing palms from seed. Zone 10+

Hyophorbe lagenicaulis Bottle Palm Qty $ 4.83 /packet 10 seeds		This little dwarf of a palm will grow slowly to a height of 10 to 12 feet. The solitary trunk is grotesquely swollen and looks as if it were cast in smooth grey concrete. The trunk is a rounded bulge in young specimens and gradually elongates and flattens somewhat as the palm matures. Bottle Palm is from Round Island, a tiny speck of land in the Indian Ocean which is part of the Mascarene Island group. There are said to be fewer than 15 specimens left in its native habitat, but Bottle Palm is cultivated for its unique beauty in tropical countries around the world. Seed can take 4-6 months to germinate but it's well worth the wait! Bottle Palm is tender and killed by freezing temperatures but makes an excellent container plant. Zone 10+

Hyophorbe verschaffeltii Spindle Palm Qty $ 3.29 /packet 20 seeds		A well-known and much-loved tropical palm with a spindle-shaped, swollen trunk and stiffly ascending, pinnate leaves. The Spindle Palm is quick to germinate, easily cultivated, and fast growing, making it ideal for the tropical or frost-free subtropical garden, or as an attractive indoor specimen for a brightly lit spot. Will tolerate light frosts (30°F). Full sun to part shade, grows to about 18 feet in height. Zone 10+

Johannesteijsmannia altifrons Joey Palm Qty $ 9.99 /packet 5 large seeds		Surely one of the most stunning and spectacular palms in the world, J. altifrons has large, simple, undivided leaves that can reach a length of more than 20ft, rising directly from an underground rootstock. These huge, very leathery, roughly diamond-shaped leaves are pleated along their length, giving the most bizarre appearance. The Joey grows in montane rainforest in S. Thailand, peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo, at altitudes up to 400ft. It is much tougher and more cool-tolerant than one might expect, and will grow happily in the subtropics and of course any tropical climate, in a shady, wind protected situation. It has been proven to do well, for instance, in coastal S. California, S. Spain or S. Florida, and can even be kept as a striking indoor plant. A much sought-after plant; we now have a fresh lot of seeds available. Zone 10+

Kerriodoxa elegans White Elephant Palm Qty $ 8.79 /packet 5 very large seeds		Easy-Care Houseplant The beautiful and elegant White Elephant Palm grows in just a tiny area of Thailand. Its spectacular 6' fans are completely circular and narrowly divided, dark green and silvery white underneath. The plant reaches a height of about 15'. Kerriodoxa elegans is very rare and just recently introduced into cultivation. Seeds are difficult to obtain and expensive -- and much in demand by collectors. White Elephant Palm requires a tropical or warm subtropical climate and will manage with temperatures as low as about 29°F. Should be kept sheltered from wind. Indoors, it makes a stunning container plant. Zone 10+

Licuala grandis Ruffled Fan Palm Qty $ 3.95 /packet 8 seeds		A tropical understory palm known for its round, pleated fronds that measure 3-feet across. Rather slow growing to a height of about 6-8 feet but will stay under 5 feet in a container. Loves moist, shady areas and does very well in low-light situations indoors. Requires little maintenance but needs protection against frost, which can damage the foliage. Zone 9b+

Licuala ramsayi Australian Fan Palm Qty $ 4.17 /packet 10 seeds		Leaves up to 7 feet wide! This spectacular fan palm is one of the largest Licualas, reaching 50+ feet in height in the fan palm forests of Queensland. Huge, circular leaves up to 7 feet across like the leaves of a gigantic Pinwheel Palm. Licuala ramsayi should be grown in a sheltered location and away from direct sunlight. Slow growing but is just as attractive when young and well suited for indoor display. Needs plenty of water. Zone 10+

Licuala spinosa Pinwheel Palm Qty $ 4.83 /packet 10 seeds		Pinwheel Palm, also known as Mangrove Fan Palm, is one of the most robust species of Licuala. Native to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, this magnificent palm is easy to care for and probably the best of the Licualas for cold hardiness, withstanding freezing temperatures to about 25°F. Pinwheel Palm grows 12-15 feet in height. Its big, round, divided leaves can reach 3 feet across or more. Light shade to full sun, fast-growing, suited to subtropical and tropical areas. Makes a splendid and unusual indoor palm. Keep well watered. Germinate usually occurs in 3 - 8 weeks. Zone 10+

Livistona chinensis Chinese Fan Palm Qty $ 3.84 /packet 10 seeds		Well known and extremely popular, Chinese Fan Palm can withstand moderate frosts to 20 degrees F or less. Leaves are fan-shaped and beautifully weeping. Looks great even when young. Easy to grow and germinates readily from seed. Wonderful container plant and perfect for smaller yards. Zone 9+

Medemia argun Nubian Desert Palm Qty $ 9.99 /packet 5 very large seeds		Until recently little was known about this mysterious, and thought-to-be-extinct, fan palm, making it the subject of much speculation. However, we now know that Medemia, though still very rare, survives happily to this day in several small populations in the Nubian Desert of the Sudan. Medemia is native only to the Sudan, where it grows in the barren floodplains of seasonal rivers (wadis). The climate is generally very dry, hot during summer and mild in winter. Allied to the Doum palm, Hyphaene, and Bismarckia, it is a beautiful and stately, solitary fan palm to about 50ft tall with a straight, ringed, brown trunk that supports a large, spherical crown of very stiff, strongly costapalmate leaves. The light blueish-green colour of the leaves contrasts strikingly with its bright yellow petioles. The attractive fruits are a shiny purplish black in colour and the size of plums. When dry, they emit a pleasant malty smell and are edible. In ancient Egypt, the fruits of Medemia argun were imported from the Sudan, and have been found in Egyptian tombs, indicating their importance. Medemia has never been in cultivation anywhere in the world before. Medemia will grow under the same conditions and in the same regions as its closest relatives, Hyphaene and Bismarckia, i.e. in nearly all subtropical and tropical and some warm temperate areas. The Nubian Desert Palm is extremely drought tolerant and will thrive under hot and dry conditions where its growth rate is fairly fast. A very rare, highly unusual palm. Zone 9b+

Nannorrhops ritchiana Silver Mazari Palm Qty $ 4.83 /packet 8 seeds		Over the past few years, this blue/silver leaved Nannorrhops from S-Pakistan and Iran has proved to be one of the most valuable additions to the range of cold hardy palms. It will thrive in the tropics as well as in temperate areas, with good drainage even in wetter regions, and with ample heat it is easy to germinate and, surprisingly enough, VERY FAST growing, producing thick, blue/silver, sometimes almost white, leathery fan-shaped leaves. In winter, if kept dry, it will resist temperatures as low as about -10°C. Zone 7b+

Phoenix canariensis Canary Island Date Palm Qty $ 3.18 /packet 12 seeds		Highly popular, fast-growing Canary Island Date Palm, cold hardy to 16°F. This massive palm can sometimes reach 60 feet in height, requiring plenty of space in the landscape. But makes a nice container plant, as well. Can be brought indoors for the winter in colder climates. Easily grown from seed. Zone 9+

Phoenix roebelenii Pygmy Date Palm Qty $ 3.29 /packet 25 seeds		One of the best palms to grow indoors, Pygmy Date Palm is native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia. It can be planted attractively either singly or in groupings. Quite a popular plant due to its hardiness, attractiveness and small size. Typically, it will eventually reach a height of about 9'. Seeds take about 3 months to germinate. Zone 9+

Reinhardtia gracilis Window Pane Palm Qty $ 4.06 /packet 10 seeds		Short, clumping palm from Central America suitable for indoor containers or shaded outdoor area. Distinctive appearance. Prefers constant warm conditions. Seeds are in short supply. Zone 10+

Rhapis excelsa Lady Palm Qty $ 4.39 /packet 10 seeds		This well-known and much loved oriental-looking small palm, valuable as a house plant due to its legendary tolerance of low light and abuse, has been popular for a hundred years or more. Slow growing to begin with, it picks up speed as it ages. Outdoors, plant it in shade for best appearance and don't let up on the watering. Great hedge plant that will succeed in nearly all warmer climates. Tolerates a few degrees of frost. Zone 9+

Roystonea regia Cuban Royal Palm Qty $ 3.62 /packet 10 seeds		The legendary Royal palm has a stout, white marble column-like trunk; a huge, grass green crown shaft; and a handsome crown of large, feathery leaves. The palm, which is fast growing in ideal conditions, is thought by many to be the most beautiful palm in the world, and is widely planted as an ornamental in the American tropics and elsewhere. The small seeds germinate readily and seedling growth is fast and satisfying. Zone 10+

Sabal minor var Louisiana Louisiana Palmetto Qty $ 4.06 /packet 12 seeds		Louisiana Dwarf Palmetto grows to about 6 ft in height and eventually forms a short aboveground trunk. This palm has large, blue-green fan leaves and can survive down to -3°F. An easy palm to grow. Zone 7+

Syagrus romanzoffiana Queen Palm Qty $ 3.84 /packet 10 seeds		Cultivated worldwide because it's so easy to grow, Queen Palm can reach 50 feet in height. Will tolerate a wide range of conditions including cold temperatures down to about 25 F without damage. Seeds are very easy to germinate. Native to South America. Zone 9+

Trachycarpus fortunei Windmill Palm Qty $ 3.51 /packet 12 seeds		Probably the most popular of all hardy palms, Trachycarpus fortunei is very dependable and easy to grow. Windmill Palm (also called Chusan Palm) reaches 20 to 40 feet in height, is moderately fast growing and will withstand temperatures down into the single digits (F). Can reach mature height in as little as 7 -10 years. Prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun. A great choice for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike! Zone 7b+

Wallichia disticha Distichous Fishtail Palm Qty $ 4.39 /packet 10 seeds		Wallichia disticha is one of the most intriguing and easily recognizable palms in cultivation. Its leaves are arranged in two vertical rows alongside the trunk. Numerous narrow-fishtail fishtail-shaped leaflets are arranged in clusters and spread in several planes. Wallichia disticha is of medium size and grows extremely fast once established. Native to northeastern India and Burma, it is highly adaptable and succeeds very well in climates ranging from warm temperate to tropical. Seeds rarely available. Zone 10+

Washingtonia filifera California Fan Palm Qty $ 3.62 /packet 50 seeds		Washingtonia filifera (California Fan Palm) is native to Southern California and Western Arizona. It is widely grown in subtropical climates and is used extensively in landscaping. This palm is one of the easiest palms to grow from seed and is a great choice if you've never before grown palms from seed. Washingtonia filifera is cold hardy down to about 10 F degrees. Large specimens may tolerate even colder temperatures. It is also a very fast-growing palm, easy to transplant (even when large) and makes a wonderful potted plant, too. In its native habitat, California Fan Palm can reach 60 feet in height, but in cooler climates it will seldom reach more than 15 feet or so. Zone 8+

Wodyetia bifurcata Foxtail Palm Qty $ 5.93 /packet 5 very large seeds		One of the world's most beautiful palms, Foxtail Palm is always in high demand. Fine, narrow leaflets radiate out from the leaf stalks, giving a plumose, foxtail appearance. Once germinated, growth is moderately fast and can sometimes reach 30 feet in height. Introduced from Queensland, Australia, this palm can tolerate a few degrees of frost and -- with protection -- may be grown in zone 9. Seeds are very large. Zone 10+

Zamia floridana Florida Coontie Qty $ 3.84 /packet 5 seeds		VERY COLD HARDY! The only U.S. native cycad and can survive temperatures to 7° F! Once abundant, Zamia integrifolia is becoming increasingly uncommon as its habitats are being destroyed. The species is now considered 'endangered' in Florida. Grows 1 - 3 feet in height. Sun or shade, also makes an outstanding container plant indoors and out. The fruit is cherry red when ripe. Highly recommended! Zone 8+

Zamia loddigesii Zamia loddigesii Cycad Qty $ 7.14 /packet 5 seeds		This beautiful, small cycad is native to the mountains of southern Mexico where it grows at altitudes of up to 3000 feet, has a small, subterranean trunk, and leaves up to 3' long with numerous leathery leaflets that have serrated edges. Zamia loddigesii does well in both warm temperate and tropical areas. Prefers sandy, dry soils. Limited supply Zone 10+

Zamia maritima Cardboard Sago Qty $ 3.29 /packet 8 large seeds		Sometimes called "Cardboard Palm" but is not actually a palm -- it's a cycad. The leaflets are stiff and feel a bit like cardboard, hence the common name. Whatever it's called, this attractive South American plant is one of the most popular cycads in cultivation. Will typically reach 3 to 4 feet in height. Prefers sun, good drainage,and tolerates brief periods of light frost. Makes an excellent, forgiving houseplant -- fun to grow and easy to maintain. Zone 10+

Go to Top of Page

	Search seedrack.com
Rare — Exotic — Unusual — Beautiful