Brahea edulis
Guadalupe palm
A slow growing, single stemmed palm with large, pleated, fan-shaped leaves emerging from the plant up to 12m (40ft). Leaves are mid-green in colour, eventually arching downwards. The trunk is, grey-brown, being thickest at the base and tapering upwards. In summer mature trees bear cream flowers on branched stems (panicles), followed by edible green-brown fruit
Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Neutral, AlkalineColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Cream | Green | Green Brown | |
| Autumn | Green | Green Brown | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical 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
- Guadalupe
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. Sow seed at 23-27°C (73-81°F) in spring. In growth water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter. Pot on or topdress in spring. See: palm cultivation indoors. Outdoors, grow in well-drained soil in full sun; will tolerate poor dry soil. Tolerates average winter temperatures in southern, urban and coastal regions of UK once mature.
Propagation
Propagate by seed
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Sub-tropical
- Patio and container plants
- Coastal
- Low Maintenance
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Flower borders and beds
- Edible fruit
Pruning
No pruning required. Remove the lowest withered leaves (fronds) to improve appearances and leave a clear trunk.
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and scale insects.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
Get involved
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