Washingtonia filifera aka California Fan Palm

Taxonomy

Genus Washingtonia Family Arecaceae Order Arecales Class Liliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Washingtonia filifera, also known as the desert fan palm, California fan palm, or California palm, is a medium to large flowering plant in the palm family Arecaceae. Native to the far southwestern United States and Baja California, Mexico, it is well-adapted to subtropical climates. This evergreen monocot exhibits a tree-like growth habit, reaching heights of 15-20 meters and spreading 3-6 meters wide. The robust trunk of the Washingtonia filifera is sturdy and columnar, surrounded by long leaf stalks with sharp teeth near the base. Its fan-shaped, grey-green blades can grow up to 3 meters long, initially erect before spreading and arching. The plant retains dead foliage, creating a decorative covering that hangs down the entire trunk. In summer, Washingtonia filifera produces creamy-white, tubular flowers in massive sprays up to 5 meters long. The California fan palm is highly valued as an ornamental tree and is widely cultivated. Its massive, barrel-shaped gray trunk can reach over 3 feet in diameter at its widest point, adorned with old leaf scars. With a crown spread of 15 feet, this palm can grow up to 60 feet tall. Each individual California fan palm can have up to thirty palmate leaves, ranging from 3 to 6 feet across, in a gray-green color. It is the only palm native to the Western United States and is among the largest native palms in the country, surpassed in height only by the Cuban or Florida royal palm. The sweet fruit pulp of the fan palm is also edible. Washingtonia filifera typically has a lifespan of 80 to 250 years or more.

Common names

California Fan Palm, Desert Palm, Petticoatpalm

How to care for California Fan Palm

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, California Fan Palm is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

California Fan Palm should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

California Fan Palm loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the California Fan Palm prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for California Fan Palm to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Region of origin

California Fan Palm’s native range is South-western N. America - S. California, S.W. Arizona, N.W. Mexico.

More info:
Wikipedia

More Species in Washingtonia Genus

Washingtonia filifera California Fan Palm