Mexican Fan Palm

Washingtonia robusta

Light

Water

Drought tolerant once established, but grows best with deep, periodic irrigation during Phoenix summers. Let the upper soil dry between waterings; water less in winter. Newly planted palms need more frequent irrigation while establishing.

Size

70-100 ft tall × 10-15 ft wide

Habit

Palm – single-trunk

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Description

A tall, slender palm native to northwestern Mexico, with a compact crown of fan-shaped leaves and a trunk that may retain a skirt of dead fronds.

Bloom Time

Spring to summer

Deciduous / Evergreen

Evergreen

Special Features

Attracts Birds, Drought Tolerant, Heat Tolerant

Growth Rate

Fast

Growth Habit

Palm – single-trunk

Mature Size

70-100 ft tall × 10-15 ft wide

Flower Color

Cream to white

Foliage Color

Green

Landscape Use

Poolside, Specimen / Accent, Street / Parking Tree

Garden Style

Tropical

Soil

Alkaline Tolerant, Sandy / Rocky, Well-Drained

Companion Plants

Desert marigold, Desert spoon, Golden barrel cactus, Lantana, Red yucca

Non-toxic

Care Instructions

Light: Full sun; tolerates light shade when young.

Water: Drought tolerant once established, but grows best with deep, periodic irrigation during Phoenix summers. Let the upper soil dry between waterings; water less in winter. Newly planted palms need more frequent irrigation while establishing.

Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates sandy, loamy, and alkaline soils. Avoid persistently saturated soil.

Mature size: Typically 60–100 feet tall and 10–15 feet wide.

Bloom: Mature palms bloom in late spring to early summer.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.

Growth rate: Fast with adequate warmth and irrigation; often 2–3 feet of trunk growth annually once established.