Brahea edulis

Brahea edulis

Guadaloupe Palm

(5 customer reviews)

A handsome evergreen palm that boasts a wide trunk that becomes thicker towards the base and a dense canopy of fan shaped leaves which are green on both sides.

Brahea edulis is a striking and imposing specimen for any mild well-drained gardens, or makes for a fantastic feature in a sunny conservatory.

Want to be notified when this product is back in stock?

4 other customers are also waiting for this plant.
Origin: Guadaloupe Island
Genus: Brahea
Species / Cultivar: edulis
Common Name: Guadaloupe Palm
Synonym: Erythea edulis

Plant Biography

Native to Guadeloupe, hence the common name Guadeloupe Palm, this palm grows in dry woodlands usually around deposits of limestone.

In the wild, this palm has become endangered over the last 150 years, due to the introduction of feral goats to the island of Guadeloupe. These goats eat the seedlings in such quantity that most of the remaining population is either very old or pushed to higher altitudes where they struggle to survive.

However, not all is lost. Brahea edulis has long been widely cultivated, especially in California, which has ensured its survival. More recently, patches of the island have been fenced off and goats removed, and whilst the palm is still precariously rare on the island, it is now likely to recover.

Brahea edulis
Soil: Moist but Well Drained
Soil that allows water to drain at a moderate rate, without the water pooling.
Growth Rate: Slow
This plant is particularly slow to grow, even during growing season.
Water Requirement: Medium
Once it is established, this plant is likely to only require watering during drier periods.
Maintenance: Low
Minimal skill or input needed beyond the basics, a very independent plant.
Situation: Full Sun
Wants direct, unfiltered sunlight most of the day, such as a south facing position.
Eventual Height: 2-3m
The plant's ultimate height in typical growing conditions.
Eventual Spread: 1.5m
The plant's ultimate spread in typical growing conditions.
Hardiness: Hardy
Survives unprotected in an average winter. May need protection in extreme long frosts.
Habit: Evergreen
Always in leaf throughout the year. It won't lose all its leaves at any one time.

Expert Tip

This palm becomes substantially more cold tolerant with age, and can tolerate some wind and salt.
Care & Size Guidance

Care & Size Guidance

Brahea edulis, although still relatively slow growing, has a faster grow rate than than the similar palm Brahea armata, and can be expected to grow about 30 centimetres in height per year.

Guadeloupe Palm will grow in nutritionally poor soil, but the soil must be fast draining, preferably in a sheltered sunny position.
Delivered on time as promised. Absolutely delighted with this specimen, approx. 1.4m high and a beautiful tree, much better than I expected.

Dave from Kent

Delivered on time as promised. Absolutely delighted with this specimen, approx. 1.4m high and a beautiful tree, much better than I expected.

5 customer reviews for Brahea edulis

Palm eventually arrived from courier in a van after an 18 tonner couldn’t reach my house. Palm (Brahea edulis) was in good condition and well grown. On the basis of what I have seen I would recommend the Palm Centre

Andrew Martin (verified owner) –

Delivered on time and well packaged. The Brahea Edulis is beautiful and very healthy. Would definitely recommend the Palm Centre to anyone looking for quality and value. Will be coming back for more soon.

Frazer Amey (verified owner) –

Delivered on time as promised. Absolutely delighted with this specimen, approx. 1.4m high and a beautiful tree, much better than I expected.

Dave from Kent –

Bought a beautiful speciment 10 yrs ago who is doing exceptionally well in a sheltered raised bed close to our boiler house, so I guess it gets a warm foot. Have never even covered it over the winter and it has survived the harsh winters of 2009/2010/2011 with trooping colours. It has grown 5x bigger in that time and I can only recommend this beauty. Given this earlier mentioned bed has a high clay content, this palm is easier than B. armata, which hates a wet foot. A rare and super plant!!

BrixTom –

Related products