Mexican Blue Palm

Mexican Blue Palm Overview

Brahea armata is a large evergreen species in the palm family Arecaceae. It originates from Baja California and Mexico and produces silvery-blue coloured, fan-shaped foliage up to 2m in length and the leaf bases are retained on the trunk. When grown in cultivation, these are commonly removed for aesthetic purposes. Flowers are small and bright yellow, borne in dense clusters on inflorescence up 5m in length, leading onto brown oval fruits. It is hardy to around -8 degrees Celsius, but should be kept dry over cold winters and can suffer damage if the temperatures dip too low, plant in a sheltered position of full or partial sun, in well-draining soil for optimal growth. This species has earnt a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit.