type : Trees
sun exposure : Full Sun
water : Regular Water, Moderate Water, Drought Tolerant
planting zones : CS (Coastal South) / Zone 9, TS (Tropical South) / Zone 10, TS (Tropical South) / Zone 11
Plant Details
These fast-growing fan palms are too tall for most suburban gardens; they are best suited to large properties, avenues, parkways. The two species often hybridize if growing near each other. Widely grown in Florida.
desert fan palm
washingtonia 'Filibusta
- A fast-growing hybrid between the two species listed here; intermediate between them in size and appearance.
- Said to be at least as hardy as Washingtonia filifera; more tolerant of humidity.
washingtonia filifera
- From California, Arizona.
- Hardy to 18F.
- To 60 feet tall, 20 feet wide, with thicker trunk than Washingtonia robusta.
- Long-stalked, 3- to 6 feet, light green leaves stand well apart in open crown.
- As leaves mature, they bend down to form a skirt of thatch.
thread palm, mexican fan palm
washingtonia robusta
- From Mexico.
- Hardy to 20F.
- To 100 feet tall (though more like 6080 feet in Southern gardens), 10 feet wide; trunk is slightly curved or bent, slimmer than that of Washingtonia filifera.
- Head of bright green foliage is more compact; leafstalks are shorter, with a red streak on the undersides.
- Good plant for the beach.