Consulta Plantas

Care of the palm tree Washingtonia filifera or California fan palm

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

Common names: California palm, California fan palm, Desert fan palm. This species is native to southwestern United States and Baja California.

They are palm trees that reach 18 meters (59 feet) in height. They have webbed leaves (divided into more than 50 segments) 2 meters (6.56 feet) in diameter and a long petiole with spines on the edge; the segments of the leaves are frayed and when the leaves die they are left hanging from the trunk. They produce inconspicuous flowers that appear from spectacular inflorescences 4 meters (13.12 feet) in length. The fruits are ovoid in shape.

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

Washingtonia filifera 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.

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

Fertilize with compost in the fall.

They are palm trees resistant to pests and diseases; they can be attacked by fungi if there is excess watering.

They propagete from seeds but it's a very slow process; it's better to buy already developed specimens in nurseries and garden centers. Before starting to grow vertically, it takes 5-6 years to form a bud that will become the trunk.

Images of the palm tree Washingtonia filifera or California fan palm