What Is the Difference Between Mexican Fan Palms & Texas Sabal Palms?

Origins

• While the Texas sabal palm is native to Texas, the only place it grows wild is in a preserve managed by the Texas Audubon Society. Nursery stock is not readily available, according to the Texas A&M University Extension website. In addition to Mexico, the Mexican fan palm is native to Sonora and Baja, California. This palm is readily available to grow from nursery stock or seed. 1

Deescription

• The Mexican fan palm is a robust plant that grows twice as high as the Texas sabal palm, rising up to 100 feet tall. As the plant grows, dead leaves dangle from the Mexican fan palm's slender trunk, forming a "skirt." Texas sabal palm's rough-textured trunk can grow to 30 inches in diameter, while the Mexican fan palm's nearly smooth trunk is only about 12 inches. The Mexican fan palm's canopy is 10 to 15 feet wide, while Texas sabal palm's canopy is 8 to 25 feet. Mexican fan palm's leaves are glossy, dark green and grow about 5 feet long on orange stems edged with spines. Texas sabal palm fronds grow 4 to 6 feet long and wide on long, thornless stalks. The fronds are distinctly divided, with a stiff central vein. While Texas sabal palm grows slowly, Mexican fan palms shoot up at the rate of about 36 inches per year.
  Small, white flowers appear on the Mexican fan palm in early summer on light beige branch-like structures up to 10 feet long. The flowers give way to small, black berries. Texas sabal palm also bears long inflorescences of inconspicuous flower clusters, but blooms in spring. The fruit is edible.

Cultivation

• Plant Mexican fan palms in well-drained, fertile soil for best growth, though it will tolerate poor soil conditions. The palms can grow outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness zones 9 through 11. In colder climates, the palms can grow in containers and spend the winter indoors. Prune potted fan palms' roots to control growth. The plant prefers full sun, but can tolerate some shade, and is drought resistant. (Ref. 5)
  Plant Texas sabal palms outdoors in partial shade to full sun in zones 8 through 11. The palms are hardy to 12 degrees F for brief periods. The plants prefer loamy, well-drained soil that holds moisture, but can withstand occasional droughts or flooding.

Problems

• Both Texas sabal and Mexican fan palms are resistant to Texas root rot, but Mexican fan palms may suffer attacks from the giant pine borer, and its extreme height makes it a target for lightning.
  Texas sabal palm is resistant to lethal yellowing, but can contract fungal leaf spots and may be attacked by spider mites.