Brahea armata
blue fan palm
An erect palm, up to 15m high, with a single trunk covered by fibrous leaf bases, spiny leaf stalks up to 1.5m long, blue-green waxy leaves, 1-2m across, divided into about 50 lobes, and arching panicles 4m long of showy yellow flowers 1.5cm across in summer, followed by rounded yellow-brown fruit, 2cm long
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Brown | Green Blue | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Brown | Yellow | Green Blue | |
| Autumn | Brown | Green Blue | Brown Yellow | |
| Winter | Brown | Green Blue |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Arecaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Brahea is a genus of palms, endemic to Mexico and Central America. Also called hesper palms, they all have large, fan-shaped leaves.
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Mexico
How to grow
Cultivation
In frost-prone areas, grow young specimens in full light as houseplants or under glass at 5-15°C in peat-free, loam-based potting compost, water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly while in growth, water sparingly in winter, and pot on or top-dress in spring - for more advice, see palm cultivation indoors; in frost-free areas, grow in well-drained soil in full sun; will tolerate poor, dry soil, and though frost-tender will survive short periods at 0°C - for more advice, see palm cultivation outdoors
Propagation
Sow seed at 23-27°C in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Sub-tropical
- Patio and container plants
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and scale insects
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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