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Washingtonia robusta is often confused with:
Sabal palmetto Form (Edgewater, FL)-Mid Winter
Native alternative(s) for Washingtonia robusta:
Sabal minor Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Parthenocissus quinquefolia wild form - new growth
Quercus nigra Quercus nigra
Rhus typhina Form
Washingtonia robusta has some common insect problems:
Boisduval Scale
Scale Insects Found on Flowers and Foliage

Washingtonia robusta

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
wah-shing-TOH-nee-ah roh-BUS-tah
Description

Mexican fan palm is a tall, fast-growing perennial in the palm family (Arecaceae). It is native to northwest Mexico but has naturalized in parts of Florida, California, Hawaii, Louisiana and Texas. The genus name honors the first president of the United States, Gen. George Washington. The species epithet is Latin for “robust.”

Mexican fan palm is easy to grow in well-drained soil in full sun to partial sun. It is a drought-, wind- and salt-tolerant palm. Leaf damage can occur at 20 degrees F. Although native to dry areas, this palm will grow faster with access to constant moisture. It will, however, quickly succumb in constantly wet, anaerobic soils.

The Mexican fan palm has a columnar trunk that can reach up to 100 feet tall with a round crown of fan-shaped leaves that can grow 3 to 5 feet long. Rather than dropping off, dead leaves fold down against the trunk giving it a dense skirt. These are sometimes removed to prevent a fire hazard, but if left in place, they are excellent roosts for owls, bats and other beneficial wildlife. As the tree grows taller it may become self-pruning. Research has shown that tall palms in the northern hemisphere lean toward the south, and those growing in the southern hemisphere lean toward the north. 

It is often used in coastal plantings, but because of its height, it looks best in lawns with tall buildings or houses. It is also used in parking lots or as a street tree. It tolerates urban conditions and would be a good choice for a rain garden, arid garden or tropical garden.

Problems: Potassium deficiency can cause leaflet tip necrosis, leaf discoloration, and premature death of the oldest leaves. Few insect problems but watch for spider mites and scale. Fungus diseases can cause trunk rot.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#salt tolerant#showy leaves#street tree#showy fruits#fast growing#spines#parks#tropical palm#urban conditions tolerant#bird friendly#Coastal FACU#bee friendly#illustration
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#salt tolerant#showy leaves#street tree#showy fruits#fast growing#spines#parks#tropical palm#urban conditions tolerant#bird friendly#Coastal FACU#bee friendly#illustration
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Washingtonia
    Species:
    robusta
    Family:
    Arecaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mexico
    Distribution:
    Florida, California, Hawaii and Texas.
    Edibility:
    Fruits are edible but thin fleshed
    Dimensions:
    Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 100 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Many black pea-sized fruits are produced. Birds will eat the fruits and disperse the seeds (which is how the palm has naturalized outside its native habitat).
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small cream-colored flowers in large drooping clusters are slightly fragrant in June.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Rich green palmate leaves are up to 3=5 feet long and 4 feet wide and are divided halfway to the base. The tips are slightly drooping
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Light Gray
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Furrowed
    Bark Description:
    The reddish-brown trunk is ringed with closely set leaf scars that weathers to a light gray.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Orange
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    3 ft long green leaf stems are edged with orange saw-tooth spines
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rain Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Street Tree
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heat
    Humidity
    Poor Soil
    Salt
    Urban Conditions
    Wind