Washingtonia Filifera Vs Robusta
Perhaps you are wondering which Washingtonia is best for you.
Thankfully, you have come to the right place for answers. Palmco has 30+ years of experience with four generations to back it. We’d love to outline the differences between the two palms for you.
Washingtonia Filifera
It is also known as the California Fan Palm, Desert Fan Palm or California Palm. It’s a flowering palm native to Baja California and the southwestern part of the US. It’s the only palm native to the western US and is actually the largest native palm in the states. The filifera (meaning thread-bearing) is generally found in the desert near water-fed oases.
The filifera reaches average heights of 59-82 feet.
They have green and yellow leaves which include long white fibers (resembling threads). Dead fronds do not detach but instead fall down, creating a hula skirt look that provides safety and habitat for various desert creatures. The life span of these trees is 80-250 years. The palm boring beetle is its biggest threat. However, in California there are also troubles with the red palm weevil.
Washingtonia Robusta
The Washingtonia Robusta on the other hand is known as the Mexican Fan Palm.
It is easy to transplant, fast growing and cold hardy.
Although it too is native to the Southwestern United States, it appears to do quite well in the Southeast. Its cold tolerance (down to 5°F for brief periods) and its rapid growth make it a favorite among developers and landscapers because it provides an instantly gratifying finished appearance.
It has edible fruit and can reach heights of 70-100 feet, making it slightly taller than the filifera. It produces that same hula skirt look when its fronds die.
However, most people prefer a cleaner appearance when it comes to landscape and architectural design. Overall this is a very popular palm that is highly valued for its cold hardiness and almost instantaneous tropical appeal upon transplantation.
Get Your Washingtonia from Palmco
Now that you understand the differences and similarities of the Washingtonia filifera vs the Washingtonia Robusta, get it from Palmco.
Palmco has been established in the palm industry for the last 30+ years.
We grow palms on a 600 acre plantation located on gorgeous Pine Island in Florida. In fact, we are one of the nation’s largest palm purveyors.
When you get a palm from Palmco you can rest assured that you are getting a quality specimen from one of our 20+ species. With four generations of palm propagators at our disposal, we are certain that we can provide you with all the information you need to have a successful palm installation.
Our customer service representatives can walk you through the process every step of the way.
Additionally, you can be comforted by the fact that we utilize “green” growing techniques. Our plantation employs state of the art irrigation systems as well as recycled mulch created from our plant waste and by-products.
We never use restricted chemicals, and we spoon feed our fertilizer to ensure it goes where it’s supposed to with no excess left to contribute to run-off issues.
If you have more questions about Washingtonia Filifera vs Washingtonia Robusta, would like to place an order, or schedule a tour, please contact our palm experts five days a week at (239) 283 1329.
