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Pandan

Pandanus tectorius (PAN-dan-us tek-TOR-ee-us)

Family: Pandanaceae Non-native Canopy (>40 ft)

A tropical plant with over 600 species in the screwpine family (Pandanaceae). The species is a variegated dwarf variety that gets no more than 2 feet tall and is commonly grown as a houseplant. Strappy leaves with visible parallel veins. They require indirect light as too much sunlight can burn them. Prefers warm, humid conditions. No serious insect or disease problems. Indoor plants are susceptible to scale and mites.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 28 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Houseplant; Perennial; Tree
USDA zones
10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
Light
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Mature size
Height: 13 ft. 0 in. - 46 ft. 0 in. | Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in.
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Ascending
Leaf color
Green; Variegated; White
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Vibrant green strappy leaves with variegated ivory stripes on edges
Flower color
Green; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower detail
Separate male and female plants. Male flowers in racemes, are small, fragrant, and short-lived, lasting only a single day. The flowers are grouped in 3 and gathered in large clusters of about 1 foot and are surrounded by big white bracts. Female flowers resemble pineapples.
Fruit value
Fragrant; Long-lasting; Showy
Bark color
Dark Brown
Bark detail
Brown ringed bark.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Austrailia, Madagascar, southeast Asia, and the southwestern Pac
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container
Garden tags
#houseplant #strappy leaves #interiorscape #evergreen #container plant #variegated
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Banded Greenhouse Thrips

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.