🌴 Botanical Name: Washingtonia robusta
🌴 Common Names: Mexican Fan Palm, Skyduster Palm
🌴 Ideal for: Coastal gardens, patios, conservatories, urban microclimates
🌴 Hardiness: Half-hardy in the UK (to around -4°C)

Introduction to Washingtonia robusta

The Mexican Fan Palm (Washingtonia robusta) is a striking, fast-growing palm known for its tall, slender trunk and fan-shaped fronds that create a bold, architectural silhouette. It’s a favourite for bringing instant tropical impact to gardens and courtyards.

Best suited to the milder parts of the UK, this palm thrives in sheltered, sunny locations or in large containers where it can be overwintered under cover. In warm summers, it can grow rapidly and become a stunning focal point.

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Best Growing Conditions for Washingtonia robusta

Light Requirements

☀️ Requires full sun for best growth
☀️ Needs a warm, bright position to thrive

Soil Requirements

🌱 Prefers free-draining soil – loamy or sandy
🌱 Avoid wet or poorly drained areas
🌱 Slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal

📌 Container tip: Use a large pot with loam-based compost and added grit for drainage.

Planting Washingtonia

1️⃣ Choose a south-facing, sheltered spot if planting outdoors
2️⃣ Dig in compost and grit to improve drainage
3️⃣ Plant at the same depth as the nursery pot and firm in well
4️⃣ For pots, use a heavy container to support the tall structure

📌 Note: Best grown in containers for overwintering in colder areas.

Watering & Feeding

Watering Tips

💧 Water regularly during the growing season
💧 Allow top inch of soil to dry before watering again
💧 Reduce watering in winter – keep just moist

Feeding Tips

🌿 Feed monthly from spring to early autumn with a balanced liquid fertiliser
🌿 Use a palm-specific feed for optimal frond development

Pruning & Maintenance

✂️ Remove dead or damaged fronds at the base
✂️ Do not trim green or healthy fronds – they support the plant’s health
✂️ Keep the trunk clean and check for pests like mealybug or scale in containers

Winter Care for Washingtonia robusta in the UK

This palm is not fully frost hardy and needs protection in winter.

❄️ In colder regions, move pots to a frost-free conservatory or greenhouse
❄️ Outdoors, wrap the crown and trunk in fleece during hard frosts
❄️ Avoid waterlogging – raise pots on feet and reduce watering in winter

FAQs About Washingtonia robusta

1. Is Washingtonia robusta hardy in the UK?

Only in mild, sheltered parts of the UK. Best kept in pots and moved under cover in winter.

2. Can I grow it in a container?

Yes – it grows very well in large containers and is ideal for patio displays or conservatories.

3. How tall will it grow?

In warm climates it reaches up to 20m, but in UK conditions, growth is more restrained, typically 2–5m in containers.

4. Does it need full sun?

Yes – it thrives in full sun and will struggle in shade.

5. How fast does Washingtonia robusta grow?

It is fast-growing in the right conditions – much quicker than many other palms.

6. Can I plant it in the ground?

Only in very mild, frost-free gardens. It’s better grown in pots in most UK locations.

7. How often should I feed it?

Feed monthly in the growing season with palm fertiliser or balanced liquid feed.

8. What pests or diseases affect it?

Generally pest-free, but mealybug, scale, or spider mites may appear in hot, dry environments.

9. Can it survive snow or frost?

No – it’s tender and needs protection from frost and snow.

10. Where can I buy Washingtonia robusta in the UK?

Right here! Shop Washingtonia robusta Palm at Web Garden Centre.