Mexican fan palm is a tall, fast-growing perennial in the palm family (Arecaceae). It is native to northwest Mexico but has naturalized in parts of Florida, California, Hawaii, Louisiana and Texas. The genus name honors the first president of the United States, Gen. George Washington. The species epithet is Latin for “robust.” Mexican fan palm is easy to grow in well-drained soil in full sun to partial sun. It is a drought-, wind- and salt-tolerant palm. Leaf damage can occur at 20 degrees F. Although native to dry areas, this palm will grow faster with access to constant moisture. It will, however, quickly succumb in constantly wet, anaerobic soils. The Mexican fan palm has a columnar trunk that can reach up to 100 feet tall with a round crown of fan-shaped leaves that can grow 3 to 5 feet long. Rather than dropping off, dead leaves fold down against the trunk giving it a dense skirt. These are sometimes removed to prevent a fire hazard, but if left in place, they are excellent roosts for owls, bats and other beneficial wildlife. As the tree grows taller it may become self-pruning (dead leaves fall off on their own). Research has shown that tall palms in the northern hemisphere lean toward the south, and those growing in the southern hemisphere lean toward the north. It is often used in coastal plantings, but because of its height, it looks best in lawns with tall buildings or houses. It is also used in parking lots or as a street tree. It tolerates urban conditions and would be a good choice for a rain garden, arid garden or tropical garden. Problems: Potassium deficiency can cause leaflet tip necrosis, leaf discoloration, and premature death of the oldest leaves. Few insect problems but watch for spider mites and scale. Fungus diseases can cause trunk rot.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal
Mature size
Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 100 ft. 0 in. | Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Rounded
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, > 6 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Rich green palmate leaves are up to 5 feet long and 4 feet wide and are divided halfway to the base. The tips are slightly drooping
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Small cream-colored flowers in large drooping clusters are slightly fragrant in June.
Fruit color
Black
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit value
Edible; Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Many black pea-sized fruits are produced. Birds will eat the fruits and disperse the seeds (which is how the palm has naturalized outside its native habitat).
Bark color
Light Brown; Light Gray; Red/Burgundy
Bark detail
The reddish-brown trunk is ringed with closely set leaf scars that weathers to a light gray.
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Stem detail
Trunk is up to 12 inches in diameter with not clothed with old leaves or leafbases.