How to Plant, Grow, and Care For California Fan Palm Trees

Palm trees add tropical beauty and elegance to any landscape. With tall, graceful trunks and unique foliage, they make wonderful vertical accents. A row of palms elevates a patio to a paradise. They can make a pool feel like a resort. 

In warm climates, palms offer the appeal of an evergreen, but with a coastal charm. They make excellent focal points and are equally stunning as part of a layered planting.

It’s good to choose trees that are native to your region, and for those gardeners on the West Coast, there is only one option. Fortunately, the California fan palm is a beauty.

California Fan Palm Overview

Plant Type Evergreen Tree Family Arecaceae Genus Washingtonia Species Filifera	Native Area Western United States Exposure Full sun Height 40’-75’+ Watering Requirements Low	Pests & Diseases Palm aphids, scale insects, spider mites, palm weevils, Fusarium wilt, Ganoderma butt rot, leaf spot, bud rot Maintenance Low Soil Type Well-draining, sandy, loamy Hardiness Zone 8-11

What Is It?

The California fan palm casts a notorious shadow in the American Southwest. Tall and dramatic, with excellent drought tolerance, this tree isn’t just great in the landscape. It’s also ecologically and culturally important, providing habitat for native wildlife in arid ecosystems. Tough and low-maintenance, this is a versatile addition to the garden. 

Characteristics

The California fan palm has a thick, sturdy trunk with rough, gray bark. It grows up to three feet wide and can be as tall as 75 feet. The leaves, or fronds, are large and fan-shaped, and can be as large as six feet across. The leaf stalk is four to six feet long with sharp teeth along the edges that grow larger closer to the trunk.

The fronds die off as the canopy grows taller, and if not pruned, they hang about the trunk like a grass skirt. This gives them a shaggy appearance, but this skirt is an important part of the ecosystem. Bats, small mammals, and insects take up residence in the dense refuge. 

The crown of the tree is rounded and symmetrical. In mature specimens, it’s about 15 feet wide. It’s denser than that of its relative, the Mexican fan palm. In late spring, large sprays of creamy white flowers grow between the fronds, extending the canopy even further. 

The flowers are bountiful and provide food for pollinators. They’re followed by small black fruits that ripen in summer and feed birds and other wildlife. They are edible to humans, but not particularly flavorful. The wide canopy provides habitat for birds such as orioles and owls, as well as woodpeckers, which find them to be a wonderful home. 

California fan palms have deep root systems. These roots anchor them and help them to access deep moisture reserves in the soil. They are long-lived, typically from 80 to 250 years in the wild. 

Native Area

The California fan palm is the only palm species native to the western United States. It grows naturally in desert regions of southern California, northern Baja, and Sonora, Mexico, as well as southwestern Arizona. Desert oases and canyon springs are its preferred landscapes, where underground water sources are available. 

Planting

Climate dictates the ideal time to plant your California fan palm. However, since it grows in a limited region, it’s ideal to plant in the warmer months of spring and early fall. The tree needs warm soil to establish roots before the stress of extreme weather. 

Transplanting

Palms have unique root systems that make transplanting a bit tricky. They tolerate transplanting well when young, but as they age, they tolerate it less.  Proper timing, technique, and aftercare are important for the success of this tree. 

It’s best to transplant while the tree is actively growing. It will establish roots faster during this time. Avoid winter, as this is when growth slows and the tree will take longer to establish and may not survive. 

Dig a wide hole, twice as wide as the root ball, and deep enough for it to sit at the same depth it was growing previously. Amend your soil to create a sandy loam by mixing in compost, sand, or small gravel to achieve proper drainage. 

Water the tree the day before planting so it is hydrated and not under stress of dehydration. Place the palm so that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding ground. Backfill with original or amended soil, and water thoroughly to settle it in. 

Growing from Seed

Growing a California fan palm from seed is surprisingly easy. They sprout quickly under warm, moist conditions, and they’re fast growers. Here’s how to make it happen:

• Collect seeds from a tree in late summer to early fall. Wait until the fruits are fully black and slightly soft before picking them. 
• Remove the fruit pulp to expose the seed inside. It should be brown and firm. You can soak the fruits in warm water beforehand if they are difficult to peel the pulp away. Rinse the seeds well. 
• Soak your seeds in warm water for a day or two before you plant them to soften the seed coat. 
• Plant your seeds in pots with a well-draining seed mix. Bury them one-half to one inch deep and cover them lightly. 
• Keep the soil evenly moist during germination, but not soggy. Keep them warm, at a temperature around 85°F (29°C), in a spot with bright light. 
• Optionally, you can cover the pots with plastic to hold in moisture and maintain humidity. Just remember to air it out occasionally to prevent mold. 
• Once seeds sprout, move them into brighter light and gradually introduce them to full sun. Keep the soil lightly moist as they grow. 
• When your seedlings are six to 12 inches tall, they are ready to transplant. 

How to Grow

California fan palms are easy to grow. They are drought-tolerant and adaptable, so they’re a good choice for beginners as well as experienced gardeners. They tend to be less temperamental than other palm species.

Light

This is a true sun-lover. It prefers full sun, as much as it can get. It’s common for California fan palms to live in open canyons where they receive direct sunlight all day. Ample light helps them to develop a strong trunk and a dense, green canopy. 

Water

California fan palms are naturally adapted to dry environments. They tolerate drought exceptionally well, once established. As a young or newly planted tree, consistent moisture will help your tree establish a strong root system. Going forward, this is one of the most drought-tolerant palms you can plant. 

Soil

When it comes to soil, the California fan palm is also adaptable, but won’t tolerate heavy, compacted, or overly wet soil. Ideally, sandy loam will keep this tree happiest. It needs loose, well-drained, aerated soil. It is tolerant of gravelly soil, and light clay will work as long as you amend it for drainage. 

Temperature and Humidity

This tree is a true heat lover that is adapted to dry desert conditions. It’s also relatively cold-tolerant for a palm. The ideal daytime range is from 80-100°F (27-38°C), and at night, 50-70°F (10-21°C). They will survive exceptionally high temperatures, up to and above 110°F (43°C). 

California fan palms are surprisingly cold-tolerant as well. They can handle short periods of temperatures as low as 15-20°F (-9 to -7°C). Young trees are more vulnerable to cold. If planting in zone 8, this tree will need some extra winter care for the first few years. 

It naturally, as a desert species, prefers low humidity, tolerating dry air exceptionally well. However, it can adapt to more humid, coastal environments. In subtropical and tropical climates, it needs fast-draining soil and plenty of air circulation to avoid fungal issues. 

Fertilizing

While it can survive in poor soil and harsh desert landscapes, fertilizing your California fan palm is beneficial. Only fertilize during the growing season, which spans from about March through September. Use a formula made specifically for palms, which will typically be in the range of 10-5-10 with micronutrients for added support. 

Feed your tree two to three times throughout the year to keep the foliage green and robust. For an organic alternative, mix compost or worm castings into the soil once or twice a year. 

Maintenance

This is one of the most low-maintenance palms you can plant. You may decide to prune it to keep it looking neat, but you can also leave the ‘skirt’ as it lies for wildlife to nest in. Only remove fronds when they are dead and brown, and avoid over-pruning as this slows their growth. Never cut the growing tip, as this will kill the tree.

Propagation

California fan palms are most often propagated by seeds. They are easy to grow and reliable this way. They don’t produce offshoots or suckers like other palms, and you can root leaf cuttings. 

Common Problems

California fan palms are typically pest and disease-resistant. Once mature, there are few issues that can cause any serious damage. However, there are a handful of specific pests and diseases that do occasionally affect this tree. In humid conditions, fungal diseases are more prevalent.

Pests

Aphids are the most common pest in most gardens, and for these trees, the palm aphid is the most common pest. These tiny green or black insects cluster on fronds, sucking sap, and leaving behind a sticky excrement that attracts sooty mold.

They can also cause leaf curling. Neem oil is effective for heavy infestations, but for a mild case, a stream of water should knock them off. 

Scale insects and spider mites are other common garden pests that can affect your California fan palm. They are less common, however, and horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps usually get rid of them. Avoid treating for pests while the tree is in bloom, so that you don’t harm pollinators. 

Palm weevils may also show up, and they can cause serious damage. These large beetles bore into the trunk and cause a wilting crown, which can lead to the sudden collapse of the growing tip. This kills the tree. Keeping your tree strong and healthy is the best defense.

Diseases

Because they are adapted to dry conditions, in humid environments, your California fan palm may have a higher risk of fungal diseases. Fusarium wilt is one such disease that causes a general decline of the crown, ultimately leading to death. It’s spread through soil or contaminated tools, and there is no cure once it’s advanced. It’s best to remove the tree.

Ganoderma butt rot is caused by a fungus that attacks the roots and lower trunk. The trunk base becomes soft and decayed, and the fronds begin to wilt and yellow. A shelf-like mushroom may also appear at the base of the trunk. There is no chemical cure for this. Avoid cutting the trunk, and make sure to avoid overwatering. 

Leaf spot, both fungal and bacterial, is a less serious disease that affects the foliage. They leave small brown or black spots on leaves. You can typically get rid of this with copper-based fungicide if it becomes widespread. Otherwise, remove damaged fronds as they appear.

Bud rot is a type of fungal rot that often follows cold or other weather-related damage. A fungicide drench is a viable treatment if you catch it early on. Symptoms include collapse of the newest leaves and a foul smell at the crown. 

Frequently Asked Questions