About
Jubaea chilensis, the Chilean wine palm, is a very slow-growing palm reaching up to 25 m, with a massive, solitary, scarred and cracked grey trunk up to 1.5 m wide and leaves to 5 m long comprising many narrow, rigid, yellow-green to dark-green leaflets. Small, dull-purple and yellow flowers in sprays to 1.5 m long are produced in summer, followed by small, woody, yellow fruit. One of the most cold-tolerant of all palms for a sheltered, sunny position.
About the genus
Jubaea are large, solitary palms native to coastal Chile with a massive, solitary trunk and long, pinnate leaves. Among the most cold-tolerant of all palms.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Palms, Houseplants
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full heightMore than 50 years
Suggested usesSub-tropical, Mediterranean climate plants, Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants
Native toC Chile
Care notes
CultivationIn milder areas grow outdoors in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun. Otherwise grow as a houseplant, or in a cool greenhouse or conservatory, in a peat-free, loam-based compost
PruningMinimal pruning required; remove dead leaves by cutting close to the leaf base leaving stubs to create a neat pattern
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in spring at 25°C. Germination may take three to six months
Pest resistanceMay be sisceptible to glasshouse red spider mite under glass
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free