About
A medium to large palm, with a strong trunk. Creamy-white, tubular flowers are produced in huge sprays up to 5m long, usually in summer. Dead foliage remains on the plant, hanging down to clothe the whole trunk. The long leaf stalks have sharp teeth near the base, and the fan-shaped, grey-green blades up to 3m long are erect at first, then spreading and arching.
About the genus
Washingtonia are large evergreen palms with stout solitary trunks bearing long-stalked, rounded leaves palmately divided into linear segments, and large, arching panicles of flowers, followed by small, berry-like black fruits
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Palms
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Patio and container plants
Native toSW USA (CA & AZ) & NW Mexico (Bajo Clifornia)
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass in peat-free, loam-based compost with added leaf mould and sharp sand, in full light. Water moderately, provide moderate humidity when in growth and apply a liquid fertiliser monthly during the summer. Water sparingly in winter
PruningNeeds no regular pruning, but dead leaves may be removed by cutting close to the leaf base leaving stubs to create a neat pattern
PropagationPropagate by seed sown at not less than 24°C
Pest resistanceGlasshouse red spider mite and scale insects may be troublesome
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free