Archontophoenix purpurea is endemic to northern Queensland, Australia where it grows in swamps and rain-forests to 1200 m in elevation. In habitat, it grows in well-drained, humus-laden soils and tolerates periodic flooding.

It is a stunning relative of the more common King Palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana). Its common name, “Mount Lewis” is derived from the fact that its natural habitat is limited to the Mount Lewis area of northeast Queensland, Australia, where it grows in montane rainforests at up to 1200m/3900′ above sea level.