Brahea armata

Mexican blue palm, Brahea armata, is native to Mexico. It has stiff, fan-shaped foliage in an attractive blue-grey-green. The flowers are incredible inflorescences up to 5m in length that hang above and over the foliage as a cascading tassel. It’s perfect for growing as part of a tropical border, alongside other tropical plants such as banana and canna. It’s also suited to indoor or conservatory growing, and is well suited to growing in a large container.

Grow Brahea armata in a sheltered spot in well-drained, alkaline soil in full sun. Mature plants are hardy enough for a temperate climate but young plants will need protection in winter. Alternatively, grow in a pot as a conservatory specimen and take outdoors in summer.