Brahea armata aka Mexican Blue Palm

Taxonomy

Genus Brahea Family Arecaceae Order Arecales Class Liliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Brahea armata, also known as the Mexican blue palm or blue hesper palm, is a large evergreen tree from the palm family Arecaceae, endemic to Baja California, Mexico. This rare and exotic perennial evergreen is commonly used as an ornamental plant in tropics, Mediterranean, desert, subtropics, and temperate climates, and is able to grow in hardiness zones 9-11. The leaves of the Mexican blue palm are green to gray-blue in color and have a sword-like appearance when they start to grow. The leaves then open into a rounded shape that is shredded like a fork or spoon with narrow tines that can reach a size of 1-2 meters. The flowers are yellow and grow on a clump that branches out, with dozens of flowers on each branch. The Mexican blue palm is dioecious, with male and female flowers growing on separate plants. As a houseplant, Mexican blue palms require regular watering and abundant sunlight, and should be placed less than 3 feet from a window. This rare and exotic plant belongs to the Brahea genus and is native to Southwestern North America.

Common names

Mexican Blue Palm, Blue Fan Palm, Blue Hesper Palm

How to care for Mexican Blue Palm

Difficulty

With its straightforward care requirements, Mexican Blue Palm is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Water

Mexican Blue Palm should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Lighting

Mexican Blue Palm requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Blue Fan Palm is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Region of origin

Mexican Blue Palm’s native range is South-western N. America - Mexico.

More info:
Wikipedia

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More Species in Brahea Genus

Brahea edulis Guadeloupe Palm

Brahea dulcis Apak Palm

Brahea brandegeei San Jose Hesper Palm