Washingtonia filifera (California Fan Palm)

Washingtonia filifera (California Fan Palm) is a medium to large evergreen palm with a tree-like growth habit. It has a sturdy columnar trunk crowned by beautifully shaped, fan-like, waxy gray-green blades, up to 3-6 ft. long (90-180 cm). Erect at first, they spread and arch from stout, spiny petioles. Unlike other palms, the dead leaves fold down against the trunk rather than dropping off. This palm tree is sometimes called “Petticoat Palm” in reference to the shaggy mass of dead leaves hanging against the trunk and forming a dense skirt. In summer, creamy-white, tubular flowers are produced in huge sprays, up to 15 ft. long (5 m). They are followed by great quantities of black, pea-sized fruits. Easy to grow and exotic-looking, Washingtonia filifera is quite cold-hardy and can survive short periods at 23ºF (-5ºC). It is the only palm native to the Western United States and the country’s largest native palm. A palm of great ornamental value and an extraordinary accent plant. Great for desert gardens.

The Washingtonia genus is named in honor of George Washington, the first president of the United States. It belongs to the Arecaceae (palm) family, which includes a diverse range of palms such as Christmas Palm, Majesty Palm, Areca Palm, Coconut tree, or Saw Palmetto.

• Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Grows with an upright habit up to 40-60 ft. tall (12-18 m) and 10-20 ft. wide (3-6 m).
• Easily grown in well-drained soils in full sun. Drought tolerant.
• No serious disease or pest issues. Keep an eye out for red spider mites and scale insects.
• Needs no regular pruning, but dead leaves may be removed by cutting close to the leaf base leaving stubs to create a neat pattern.
• Propagate by seed sown at not less than 75°F (24ºC). It reproduces easily by seed, which are germinating in about thirty days.
• Native to the southwestern U. S. and Baja California.
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