Consulta Plantas

Care of the palm tree Washingtonia robusta or Mexican fan palm

The genus Washingtonia, family Palmaceae, comprises 2 species of palm trees native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States: Washingtonia robusta and Washingtonia filifera.

Common names: Mexican fan palm, Mexican washingtonia. This species is native to northwestern Mexico.

They are large palm trees that reach 30 meters (98.2 feet) in height. They have palmate leaves (divided into more than 50 segments) 2 meters (6.56 feet) in diameter and a long petiole with reddish-brown spines; dry leaves hang on the trunk for a long time. They produce not very showy flowers that appear in inflorescences 4 meters (13.12 feet) long. The fruits are dark and ovoid in shape.

They are used in streets and public parks, as isolated specimens in coastal gardens and in large pots.

Washingtonia robusta needs full sun exposure. They resist intense heat and frost down to -8 ºC (17.6 ºF).

The soil can be a mixture of 2/3 of normal garden soil and 1/3 of coarse sand. The transplant is done in spring.

Water frequently (with little amount of water) during spring and summer (never flood); reduce watering the rest of the year. They are resistant to drought and more resistant to humidity than Washingtonia filifera.

Fertilize with compost in the fall.

They are palm trees resistant to pests and diseases.

They are propagated from seeds but it's a very slow process; It's preferable to buy plants already developed in nurseries or garden centers.

Images of the palm tree Washingtonia robusta or Mexican fan palm