The Mule Palm is a rare hybrid cross between a Butia capitata and Syagrus romanzoffiana. This palm, just like the mule animal, is sterile and must be pollinated by hand. The pollination process tends to be tedious as the small flowers needed for reproduction reside on the plant’s spikes. Although compact enough for small courtyard gardens, with age the Mule Palm assumes majestic proportions, and in clusters or pairs will produce gracefully curving trunks and lush crowns reminiscent of the Coconut. These specimens are unique and carefully prepared X Butiagrus nabonnandii ideal for avenues, group plantings, or any landscape purpose.
Growth Habit: 20-25 ft tall and 15-20 ft wide
Native Origin: South America
Hardiness Zone: 8-11
Environmental needs: Full sun
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Mule Palms are drought tolerant; they need very little water to survive once established. When newly planted, it needs to be watered twice weekly for up to two months. Once it is thriving and new fronds are growing healthily, reduce watering to once a week.Mules need the typical fertilization once every three months, and occasional trimming of the fronds once they become brown. It is important to wait until the fronds turn completely brown before removing them, as the palm is still getting nutrients from it until the very end.
The Mule Palm is a rare hybrid cross between a Butia capitata and Syagrus romanzoffiana. This palm, just like the mule animal, is sterile and must be pollinated by hand. The pollination process tends to be tedious as the small flowers needed for reproduction reside on the plant’s spikes. Although compact enough for small courtyard gardens, with age the Mule Palm assumes majestic proportions, and in clusters or pairs will produce gracefully curving trunks and lush crowns reminiscent of the Coconut. These specimens are unique and carefully prepared X Butiagrus nabonnandii ideal for avenues, group plantings, or any landscape purpose.
Growth Habit: 20-25 ft tall and 15-20 ft wide
Native Origin: South America
Hardiness Zone: 8-11
Environmental needs: Full sun
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Mule Palms are drought tolerant; they need very little water to survive once established. When newly planted, it needs to be watered twice weekly for up to two months. Once it is thriving and new fronds are growing healthily, reduce watering to once a week.Mules need the typical fertilization once every three months, and occasional trimming of the fronds once they become brown. It is important to wait until the fronds turn completely brown before removing them, as the palm is still getting nutrients from it until the very end.
