Washingtonia Palms are a fast growing and tall landscape palm.  The Washington Palm (also known as Mexican Fan Palm) is native to the desert regions of Mexico where it tends to grow near permanent surface or sub-surface water sources.  For those in the northern areas of Florida, this palm is very hardy and can withstand several degrees below freezing without appreciable damage.  Of the tribe Corypheae, and subfamily Coryphoideae, it is also known by the botanic name Washingtonia robusta.

Common Name:  Washington Palm

Botanical Name:  Washingtonia robusta

Subfamily:  Coryphoideae

Plant Type:  Solitary Fan Palm Tree

Origin:  Mexico

Zones: 8 - 11

Height:  70-100'

Rate of Growth: Fast

Salt Tolerance: Moderate

Soil Requirements:  Widely adaptable

Water Requirements: High drought tolerance

Nutritional Requirements: Moderate

Light Requirements: High

Form:  Solitary fan palm, canopy of 30 leaves

Leaves:  Costapalmate, induplicate; divided halfway or more into pointed, ribbed, drooping segments with white threads in between on younger plants, bright green in color.

Inflorescence: 8-12' long, produced from among the leaf bases

Fruits:  Brownish-black

Pests or diseases:  Palmetto weevils, scales, bud rot (when over-watered)

Uses:  Specimen plant

Bad Habits: Very spiny petioles are hazardous when mishandled, trunks often covered for years with a long shag of dead leaves which house undesirable critters.  Due to its towering height at maturity, these trees often become lightning rods, few of which survive the strike.

Cost:  $$ - $$$ -- Reasonable to Expensive

Propagation:   Seed, germinates in 6 weeks to 2 months