See also Florida Royal Palm

The Mexican Fan Palm ( Washingtonia robusta) is closely related to California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera). They are very similar. Many people can’t distinguish them. I will show you how they differ from each other. There are several aspects why they are different.

Trunk

Washingtonia Filifera has shorter, thicker, fatter and more massive trunk. “Mexican” tree has slender and narrower trunk.

Height

California palm grows to a height of 40-60 feet tall. Mexican palm is a taller tree and can reach a height of 100 feet and more.

Crown

The Mexican Fan Palm has compact canopy. California Washingtonia has larger grey-green fronds.

Cold hardiness

Washingtonia Filifera is cold hardy palm and can tolerate frost. It can be cultivated in the north. Washingtonia Robusta is less cold hardy. It will struggle  if temperature drops down to 15F. It can grow only in the southern part of the United States.

Growth rate

Mexican tree grows little bit faster than its close relative.

Cultivation

Mexican Washingtonia is also more widely cultivated than the cousin.

Return to Mexican Fan Palm main page.