About
Brahea brandegeei is a single-stemmed palm that is sensitive to frost. It features expansive, pleated leaves that can reach over 1 meter (3 feet) in diameter, displaying a green upper surface and blue-grey underneath. During the summer months, this palm produces cream-colored flowers arranged in branched clusters known as panicles. The trunk exhibits a wider base that gradually narrows as it ascends.
About the genus
Brahea is a genus of palm trees native to Mexico and Central America. Commonly referred to as hesper palms, these plants are characterized by their broad, fan-like foliage.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Palms
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 8-12 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, City and courtyard gardens
- Native to
- Baja California
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. In growth water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter. Pot on or topdress in spring. See: palm cultivation indoors. Outdoors, grow in well-drained soil in full sun; will tolerate poor dry soil. Frost-free conditions are necessary year-round or bring undercover during winter.
- Pruning
- No pruning required. Remove the lowest withered leaves (fronds) to improve appearances and leave a clear trunk.
- Propagation
- Sow seed at 23-27°C (73-81°F) in spring.
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and scale insects.
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free.