Brahea brandegeei

RHS Plant Profile

San José hesper palm

Synonyms

Erythea brandegeei

Palms

A frost-tender single-stemmed palm with large, pleated, fan-like leaves, 1m (3ft) or more across. These emerge green above with blue-grey undersides. In summer it bears cream flowers on branched stems (panicles). The trunk is thickest at the base and tapers upwards

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral or Alkaline

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Arecaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Brahea is a genus of palms, endemic to Mexico and Central America. Also called hesper palms, they all have large, fan-shaped leaves.
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Baja California

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. In growth water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter. Pot on or topdress in spring. See: palm cultivation indoors. Outdoors, grow in well-drained soil in full sun; will tolerate poor dry soil. Frost-free conditions are necessary year-round or bring undercover during winter.

Propagation

Sow seed at 23-27°C (73-81°F) in spring.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
City and courtyard gardens
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required. Remove the lowest withered leaves (fronds) to improve appearances and leave a clear trunk.

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and scale insects.

Diseases

Generally disease-free.