Brahea moorei

Moore’s rock palm
Ground-dwelling foliage palm with elegant arching wands of flowers and fruit. Shiny green leaf is frosted white on top, chalky white underneath at maturity. Hardy, rare. Nice in pots.
Brahea moorei
height 2–3ft
width 3–5ft
tolerates Cold, Drought, Heat, Pots
water
needs		 Low – Moderate
water
info		 Not all palms love water! This one is actually drought-tolerant and can live quite happily on little or no water once it’s established, though it’ll grow more slowly and may not look as lush. To keep your palm looking its best, be sure to water it consistently and deeply while it’s getting established, then after a few years give it a good deep soaking every couple of weeks. It will also be happy to have more water, provided the soil drainage is excellent.

The wetter (and colder) the winter, the better drainage it needs.
hardy
to		 10F
exposure Full Shade – Full Sun
indoor
outdoor		 Outdoor
drainage In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Cactus Mix, Tolerates Sandy Soil
fertilizing Palm Fertilizer
origin NE Mexico
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 6–H2

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

OUTDOOR EXPOSURE GUIDE

Full Sun
Six or more hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Shade
Three to five hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Sun
One to two hours of sun beams directly landing on the plants leaves.

Full Shade
The plant is never fully lit by sun beams, but is in a bright spot or has dappled sunbeams playing over the leaves throughout the day.

Deep Shade
The plant never has dappled light on the leaves, and is in a place that feels dim, even on a nice sunny day.

SUNSET ZONES MAP

Growing Notes

Originating high in the Sierra Madre Oriental of northeast Mexico (up to 6500 feet above sea level), where it grows on well-drained limestone in oak forest, this foliage palm thrives in shade or sun. Sun-grown plants will produce bigger, showier flowerstalks, while shade-grown plants will have broader, more elegant leaves. Where soil is acidic, it may also respond to treatment with dolomite to raise soil pH. Quite slow-growing when young.

Special Interest

This is a “trunkless” palm: The stem remains at ground level, progressing laterally by millimeters per year.

John Fairey and his Peckerwood Garden in Hempstead, Texas, first championed this choice rare palm.

More Info

Useful in lieu of thirsty gunnera or as an alternative to phormiums.