About
Brahea edulis is a slowly growing palm characterized by a solitary trunk and broad, pleated leaves that can reach heights of up to 12 meters (40 feet). The leaves are a mid-green hue and develop a downward arch as they mature. The trunk has a grey-brown coloration, widest at the base and narrowing as it ascends. During the summer months, established specimens produce cream-colored flowers on branched inflorescences (panicles), which are succeeded by edible green-brown fruits.
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
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Palms
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 8-12 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Sub-tropical, Patio and container plants, Coastal
- Native to
- Guadalupe
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. Sow seed at 23-27°C (73-81°F) in spring. 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. Tolerates average winter temperatures in southern, urban and coastal regions of UK once mature.
- Pruning
- No pruning required. Remove the lowest withered leaves (fronds) to improve appearances and leave a clear trunk.
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and scale insects.
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free.