Plants
Washington Palm
Washingtonia · Arecaceae
The washingtonia is the palm of Californian postcards — those sky-high trunks along the boulevards of Los Angeles. As a young plant it cuts a great figure in a bright living space and above all in a container: large, fan-shaped fronds with white threads curling along their edges, hence the nickname petticoat palm. It needs one thing above all: light, light and more light.
- Light
- Full sun to very bright; the most light-hungry palm in the range, unsuitable for dark rooms.
- Watering
- Generous in summer; in a cool winter spot only enough to keep the root ball from drying out.
- Care level
- Medium
- Botanical
- Washingtonia
Two species are in the trade: Washingtonia filifera, the California fan palm with grey-green fronds and many threads, and the slimmer, faster-growing Washingtonia robusta from Mexico with glossy green fronds. Both suit container culture; robusta is the more common.
As a desert palm the washingtonia is uncompromising about light: it wants the brightest spot in the house, right at a south or west-facing window, and tolerates full sun from the start. In darker corners it grows leggy within months — long, soft stalks and pale fronds are the unmistakable sign.
Its second trait is thirst during the growing season: in the oasis its roots reach the groundwater. So from spring to autumn water generously as soon as the top layer of soil has dried. In winter in a cool spot, water only enough to keep the root ball from drying out.
The washingtonia is really a container plant making a guest appearance indoors: it is happiest standing outside in full sun from May to October and overwintering bright and cool at 5 to 10 °C, say in a stairwell or conservatory. An established plant shrugs off brief light frosts around minus five degrees; permanent indoor keeping at 22 °C through winter suits it less.
For a palm it grows remarkably fast and needs corresponding space upward and sideways — the fronds of mature container plants span a good metre and a half. The leaf stalks carry strong saw teeth: wear gloves when repotting and cleaning fronds.
Is Washington Palm toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Non-toxic
- Cats
- Non-toxic
- Dogs
- Non-toxic
The washingtonia is considered non-toxic to cats, dogs and people. Caution applies only to the saw-toothed leaf stalks, which can cut — a mechanical, not a toxic risk.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01The brightest possible spot with full sun — a south or west-facing window, ideally outdoors in summer.
- 02Water generously in the growing season as soon as the top layer of soil dries.
- 03Overwinter cool (5–10 °C) and bright, watering only moderately.
- 04Feed every two weeks from spring to autumn — the washingtonia is a heavy feeder.
- 05Use a deep pot: the palm forms strong tap roots.
- 06Wear gloves around the toothed leaf stalks; cut off dried fronds close to the trunk.
Frequently asked
- Is the washingtonia winter-hardy?
- Only to a degree. Established plants tolerate brief light frosts down to about minus five degrees, but a Rhineland winter outdoors is too much. Ideal is bright, cool overwintering at 5 to 10 degrees — a garage with a window, a stairwell or an unheated conservatory.
- Can I keep a washingtonia in the living room permanently?
- It works for a year or two at a very bright south-facing window, but in the long run a living room lacks light and, in winter, the cool rest period. It stays most vigorous in the container-plant rhythm: summer outside in the sun, winter bright and cool. If all you have is a warm indoor spot, a kentia or parlour palm is the better choice.
- Is the washingtonia toxic to pets?
- No, it is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. The only hazard comes from the sharply toothed leaf stalks, on which animals and people alike can cut themselves — so do not place the palm right beside narrow passageways.
- How fast does a washingtonia grow?
- Very fast for a palm: with good light, plenty of water and regular feeding it pushes several large fronds per season and can go from young plant to room-filling specimen in a container within a few years. Be honest about the space requirement when buying.