About
Long sprays of small white flowers are borne on hanging, branched stems to 3m long and followed by dark brown fruits. a tall, fast-growing, evergreen palm with a slender trunk that swells considerably at the base on mature specimens. Large fan-shaped leaves with leaflets up to 1.5m long are borne on spine-edged petioles to 1m long.
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
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Palms
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Architectural
Native toMexico
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. See palm cultivation indoors
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
Pest resistanceGlasshouse red spider mite and scale insects may be troublesome
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free