Mexican fan palm, Washingtonia robusta

Common Name:  Mexican Fan Palm, Petticoat Palm

Type:  tropical tree

Family:  Arecaceae

Zone: 8 to 11      Find Your Zone

Height: 50 to 60 feet

Width: 10 to 15 feet

Bloom Time: summer

Sun exposure: full sun

Soil: well drained sandy, clay, acidic or alkaline

Leaves: evergreen

Fertilizer: palm fertilizer and an additional nutrient spray

This fast growing tree has great drought tolerance and does well in the desert regions. This tree has good salt tolerance once established and adapts to a large range of soil types and climates. This is the tree that you will find lining the streets in Hollywood. This tree is hardy to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit. This tree is native to northern Mexico but does well in the tropical to subtropical climates of the US.

PLANTING GUIDE

STEP 1: Digging the hole

• Find a location that has suitable sun exposure for your particular type of plant.
• Dig your hole an inch or two shallower than the rootball of the plant.
• Dig the hole twice the diameter of the rootball.
• Scuff up the sides of the hole with a shovel to help roots break through the native soil.
  

STEP 2: Putting plant in hole

• When removing the plant from the pot, check to see if the roots were circling the pot.
• If the plant is rootbound, gently break up the roots with your hands until loosened up.
• Set plant level, in the center of the hole.
• Make sure the top of the rootball is just above soil level.

STEP 3: Amending the soil and filling in the hole

• Amend the soil with proper amendments for your soil type. 
  
• Incorporate 50% native soil with 50% amendment soils like garden soil, composted manure or soil conditioner.
• Make sure dirt clods are broken up or removed from hole along with rocks.
• Fill the hole with soils to the soil level and pack down. Do not cover top of rootball with dirt.
  
• Water in thoroughly to remove air pockets.

STEP 4: Mulching and fertilizing

• Cover the planting site with at least 2 inches of the mulch of your choice (pinestraw, cupress mulch,etc.)
• High Phosphorus root stimulator fertilizers like Quick Start from Miracle Gro are great to use at time of planting.
• When planting trees, a tree stake kit may be required to prevent the wind from blowing over or breaking our newly planted tree until it becomes established.

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Other related plants:

Needle Palm

Windmill Palm

Pindo Palm

Dwarf Palmetto

Queen Palm

Canary Island Date Palm

Coconut Palm

Sago Palm

Areca Palm

Growing Banana Trees