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California Fan Palm

Also known as

Desert fan palm and California palm

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Washingtonia filifera

Genus

Washingtonia

Family

Arecaceae

Order

Arecales

How to care for California Fan Palm

💦 Water

How often to water your California Fan Palm

California Fan Palm needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for California Fan Palm in your home

California Fan Palm love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

California Fan Palm does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of California Fan Palm in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize California Fan Palm

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for California Fan Palm: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your California Fan Palm after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

I know I've been gone for a while but... Been thinking about digging these palm babies up for the past year and finally decided to do it... Not sure if they're California fan palms or Mexican fan palms, but they're volunteers and I know my housing complex would kill them eventually so decided to put them in pots... Wish me luck on keeping them alive! #californiafanpalm #mexicanfanpalm #palmtree #californiagreggang #socalgreg #wickedvalkyrie

Browse #CaliforniaFanPalm

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

California Fan Palm prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

☀️ Sunlight Needs

California Fan Palm requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

🪴 Soil

California Fan Palm does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

💩 Fertilizer

California Fan Palm is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

California Fan Palm will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
California Fan Palm can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.