The beautiful colours of variegated Japanese rhapis

[happypalms]

I have quite a few variegated rhapis in the garde, with all the recent rains we had and the cooler temperatures they certainly are looking quite well. They seem to enjoy the cool weather for some reason. And iam glad got them 25 years ago and put them in my garden. 

[Cindy Adair]

Gorgeous! I have only one. Rhapis excelsa ‘Zuikonishiki’ was the name on the label when I bought it many years ago. 
For awhile it just looked nitrogen starved but now showing some darker green striping. 

 

I am sure there are others on PT so please post them. Thanks!

[happypalms]

1 hour ago, Cindy Adair said:

Gorgeous! I have only one. Rhapis excelsa ‘Zuikonishiki’ was the name on the label when I bought it many years ago. 
For awhile it just looked nitrogen starved but now showing some darker green striping. 

 

I am sure there are others on PT so please post them. Thanks!

That one is in absolute perfect condition, a perfect score if it was in Japan. And the size of that leaf makes it even better. I sent some pictures of my ones to my original supplier 20 years later and he was amazed and said that my ones were perfect and growing great. Zuikonishiki has more yellow, my pictures are ayanishiki and one zuikonishiki, there is also some great green ones available as well. If you can try and taizinishiki it’s even more spectacular. 

[TropicsEnjoyer]

The colors are just unreal. You don’t really see many mature specimens, I can’t imagine how expensive such a large one would be either! Also with how slow ladies already grow the variegated ones must grow as quick as snails on glue. Definitely a palm worth collecting. Eventually i’ll get one, (I like to say for a lot of pretty plants) 🥲

[happypalms]

1 hour ago, TropicsEnjoyer said:

The colors are just unreal. You don’t really see many mature specimens, I can’t imagine how expensive such a large one would be either! Also with how slow ladies already grow the variegated ones must grow as quick as snails on glue. Definitely a palm worth collecting. Eventually i’ll get one, (I like to say for a lot of pretty plants) 🥲

Well worth growing, these ones are at least 25 years old, clones from clones and the Japanese love them. They do sell for at least and no less for a pup $50 Aus dollars, and that’s just entry level stuff for collectors paying up to thousands of dollars for certain varieties. If you can get them get one or two! 

[Hu Palmeras]

On 23/7/2025 at 3:19, happypalms said:

Tengo bastantes rapis variegados en el jardín, y con las lluvias recientes y las temperaturas más bajas, se ven muy bien. Por alguna razón, parecen disfrutar del clima fresco. Y me alegro de haberlos adquirido hace 25 años y plantado en mi jardín. 

Those Rhapis are very beautiful, my friend.

[happypalms]

8 hours ago, Hu Palmeras said:

Those Rhapis are very beautiful, my friend.

There not the fastest growing palms around, they do like attention and reward the grower for such attention. The Japanese obsession with them is big. Easy to divide just like a green rhapis as well. 

[Hu Palmeras]

Yes, they are very beautiful. They have their charm too.

[SeanK]

About 25 years back, a gal at the PSST sold bougie variegated Rhapis palms. (Lynn McCamey?) I don't know what the status is any more. Seems enthusiasm has fallen off this century.

[happypalms]

4 hours ago, SeanK said:

About 25 years back, a gal at the PSST sold bougie variegated Rhapis palms. (Lynn McCamey?) I don't know what the status is any more. Seems enthusiasm has fallen off this century.

They still sell for big bucks the rarer and the top grade varieties, most home gardeners would have the common varieties. 

[happypalms]

5 hours ago, Hu Palmeras said:

Yes, they are very beautiful. They have their charm too.

Indeed they are! 

[SeanK]

8 hours ago, happypalms said:

They still sell for big bucks the rarer and the top grade varieties, most home gardeners would have the common varieties. 

Most of the variegated specialties are displayed indoors.

[happypalms]

5 hours ago, SeanK said:

Most of the variegated specialties are displayed indoors.

My ones are in the greenhouse and planted in the garden. There actually very tough palms, there is a saying, kick them as you go past them they grow better!