Description
Washingtonia is a genus of palms, native to the southwestern United States.
Washingtonia is a genus of palms, native to the southwestern United States (in southern California, southwest Arizona, (Nevada) Texas) and northwest Mexico (in northern Baja California and Sonora).
Both Washingtonia species are commonly cultivated across the Southern United States, the Middle East, southern Europe, and north Africa, where they have greatly hybridized.Washingtonia robusta (Mexican Fan Palm or Mexican Washingtonia) is a palm tree native to western Sonora and Baja California Sur in northwestern Mexico. The fruit is a spherical, blue-black drupe, 6 to 8 mm (0.24 to 0.31 in) diameter; it is edible, though thin-fleshed.Plant Specifications
| Common Name | Mexican fan palms. |
| Maximum Reachable Height | 30m in its native habitat |
| Difficulty Level | Medium. |
Planting and care
It is probably one of the fastest-growing palm trees in the world even in cool weather but for it to really shoot up, it likes heat during the summer months.Washingtonias are happier in a less humid climate than ours, so pick a sunny, well-drained place where the palm will get good breezes. Soil amendments aren t really necessary.Beware of the sharp teeth on the palm s leaf stems.
Washingtonia care
Plant at least 6 to 8 feet away from the house to give the big fronds room to spread out. If planting in a row, place them at least 6 feet apart.For using along a drive, come out at least 5 or 6 feet so the young palm s wide crown isn t in the way.This palm is too fast and too big to make a good container plant.
| Sunlight | Full sun, sheltered aspect. |
| Watering | it appreciates regular waterings to keep it moving. |
| Soil | Good drainage, alkaline gritty soil. |
| Temperature | it will manage temperatures to -6C but needs care and extra protection through the winter months. |
| Fertilizer | Fertilize in spring, summer and fall with a good palm fertilizer containing micronutrients. |
Washingtonia uses
Ornamental Use:
- Landscape uses for washingtonia palmlining the property borderin groups as architectural accents for a tall houseanchor or backdrop for groupings of smaller palms and shrubsin a row along a fence, walk or driveway