Also known as Fan Palm · 7 gardener saves
Washingtonia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Washingtonia, the genus most gardeners know as fan palm. We track 4 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 4 most-saved Washingtonia varieties
Of 4 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedCalifornia Fan Palm
Washingtonia filifera 'Truth or Consequences'
#2 most savedMexican Fan Palm
Washingtonia robusta
Washingtonia x filibusta
Washingtonia x filibusta
California Fan Palm
Washingtonia filifera 'Dallas Form'
How to grow Washingtonia
What the Washingtonia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 4 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Washingtonia year
- PruneMarch–August100% of varieties
Remove dead or brown fronds (skirting) for aesthetics
- FertilizeMarch–June100% of varieties
Apply slow-release palm fertilizer in early spring
- Winter PrepOctober and November100% of varieties
Wrap trunk and protect crown of young palms from hard frost in Zone 7
- PlantMarch–May50% of varieties
Plant in spring or early summer after frost danger has passed
Do
- Water deeply during dry periods 🌱
- Prune dead or damaged fronds annually
- Apply fertilizer in spring for healthy growth
- Prune dead fronds to maintain shape
- Apply palm fertilizer annually
Avoid
- Overwater to avoid root rot ❌
- Avoid heavy clay soil without amendments ❌
- Don't prune healthy fronds unnecessarily
- Avoid overwatering ❌
What goes wrong with Washingtonia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Scale insects | Sticky residue or honeydew on fronds | Use neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and speckled fronds | Increase humidity and apply insecticidal soap |
| Palm weevils | Wilting and browning of fronds | Use organic neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Palm Weevil | Wilting or fronds with holes | Use organic insecticide or remove affected parts |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Ganoderma butt rot | Decay at the base of the trunk | Remove affected parts and improve drainage |
| Fusarium wilt | Wilting and browning of fronds | Improve drainage and remove infected plants |
Making more Washingtonia
Seed
- Tuck seeds in moist soil, keep warm for 4 weeks
- Transplant seedlings after 6 months
Seeds
- Tuck seeds into moist soil and keep warm for 6 weeks.
- Maintain consistent moisture for germination.
- Transplant seedlings after 6 inches tall.
Washingtonia questions
How many types of Washingtonia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 4 distinct Washingtonia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 7 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Washingtonia grow in?
Across its varieties, Washingtonia covers USDA Zones 8–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Washingtonia bloom?
Most Washingtonia varieties bloom in late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Washingtonia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Washingtonia shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Washingtonia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
