Mexican Fan Palm Info – Learn About Growing Mexican Fan PalmsBy: Show
Mexican fan palms are very tall palm trees native to northern Mexico. They are attractive trees with wide, fanning, dark green leaves. They are especially good in landscapes or along roadways where they are free to grow to their full height. Keep reading to learn more about Mexican palm care and how to grow a Mexican fan palm tree. The Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta) is native to the deserts of northern Mexico, though it can be grown through much of the American South and Southwest. The trees are hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11 and Sunset zones 8 through 24. They tend to grow to a height of 80 to 100 feet (24-30 m.). Their leaves are dark green and fan shaped, reaching between 3 and 5 feet (1-1.5 m.) wide. The trunk is reddish brown, but with time its color fades into gray. The trunk is thin and tapered, and on a mature tree it will go from a diameter of about 2 feet (60 cm.) at the base to 8 inches (20 cm.) at the top. Because of their large size, Mexican fan palm trees aren’t really suited to gardens or small backyards. They also run the risk of breaking and uprooting in hurricane prone areas. Mexican Palm CareGrowing Mexican fan palms is relatively easy, as long as you’re planting in the right conditions. Although Mexican fan palm trees are native to the desert, they grow naturally in pockets of underground water and are only somewhat drought tolerant. They like full sun to partial shade and well-draining sand to loam type soil. They can tolerate both slightly alkaline and slightly acidic soil. They grow at a rate of at least 3 feet (1 m.) per year. Once they reach about 30 feet (9 m.) in height, they often begin to naturally drop their dead leaves, meaning it’s not necessary to prune away old growth. This article was last updated on 01/22/21 Read more about Fan Palms
Mexican Fan Palm, Southern washingtonia, Mexican Washingtonia, Skyduster, Thread PalmFast-growing and very tolerant, Washingtonia robusta (Mexican Fan Palm) is a tall evergreen palm with a columnar trunk topped with a relatively small rounded crown of beautifully shaped, fan-like, rich green leaves, up to 3-5 ft. long (90-150 cm). Borne on spine-edged petioles, the palmate leaves are divided halfway to the base, with their tips slightly drooping. Unlike other palms, the dead leaves fold down against the trunk rather than dropping off, forming a dense skirt. The unbranched gray trunk is usually slender, 12 in. across (30 cm), but swells considerably at the base. It is ringed by leaf scars and tends to curve a little in tall trees. Small, slightly fragrant, white flowers are produced in huge, hanging sprays, up to 10 ft. long (3 m). They are followed by great quantities of black, pea-sized fruits. Easy to grow and exotic-looking, Washingtonia robusta is fairly hardy but may experience significant frond damage if temperatures dip to 20°F (-6°C). It has a high tolerance for salt and is a good choice for planting near coastlines. It also is very wind resistant. Probably one of the most commonly planted palm trees around the world, the genus honors the first president of the United States. A palm of great ornamental value and an extraordinary accent plant.
Not sure which Palms - Cycads to pick? Buy Washingtonia robusta (Mexican Fan Palm) Requirements
Buy Plants Great Plant Combination Ideas with Palms - Cycads While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources. Buy Plants Requirements
Buy Plants Great Plant Combination Ideas with Palms - Cycads Plant CalculatorHow many Washingtonia robusta (Mexican Fan Palm) do I need for my garden?Create the garden you’ve always wantedYou Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to ProceedJoin Gardenia.netCreate a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device. Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas. Join now and start creating your dream garden! Create a New CollectionSubscribe to Gardenia.netTo create additional collections, you must be a paid member of our site. Sign Up to Our NewsletterHow high do fan palms grow?The Fan Palm can reach 20m tall. It has a single trunk, which is quite slender (around 20cm in diameter). But the species is most famous for its leaves. Each plant has 9 to 12 huge, segmented, pleated and almost circular leaves; they resemble a giant pinwheel or fan, hence their common name.
Can you stunt the growth of a Mexican fan palm?Hi, You can temporarily stunt the palm trees' growth by pruning the roots. The roots need to be at their optimum 'root ball size' for the palm to even grow. "BE ADVISED: This way of stunting the growth on a palm is permanent, and will eventually lead to a dead palm.
How fast does a fan palm tree grow?A Fast-Growing Tropical Beauty
The Mexican Fan Palm grows up to 3 feet a year once established, delivering a tropical look to your garden in no time.
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