Brahea brandegeei

San Jose hesper palm
Tall, gracile palm suited to hot-summer climates resembles a more attractive Mexican fan palm.
height 30–50ft
width 3–6ft
tolerates Heat, Wind
water
needs		 Low – Moderate
water
info		 This palm should be watered deeply every week or two once it’s established. It doesn’t want to ever dry out completely.
hardy
to		 23F
exposure Full Sun
indoor
outdoor		 Outdoor
drainage In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Cactus Mix, Tolerates Sandy Soil
fertilizing Palm Fertilizer
origin Baja, Mexico
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 13–16, 18–24

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

Growing Notes

This solitary palm will grow only one trunk during its lifetime. If you have a pot with multiple trunks in it, that’s because multiple separate palm trees were germinated in the pot. The good news is that you won’t need to thin out suckers over time to maintain the number of trunks you started out with.
This palm holds its leaves for a long time, creating a beard or skirt on the trunk. If you want, you can always prune off the beard for a cleaner look.
This palm contributes to the oasis-style garden, especially when it’s mixed with cactus and other drought-tolerant plants like euphorbias. It also makes an unusual and yet compelling addition to the Mediterranean garden when mixed with lavender, rosemary, and olives.
Palms are generally heavy feeders, so if you want them growing quickly and looking their best, they should be fertilized at least three times a year. Fertilizing at spring equinox, summer solstice and fall equinox will allow for a winter rest. Be sure to feed your palm with a fertilizer that contains micronutrients, especially if you see yellowing leaves or yellow spots on the leaves.