🌴 Jubaea chilensis

Jubaea chilensis, commonly known as the Chilean Wine Palm, is a rare, majestic, and slow-growing palm native to central Chile. It is the hardiest feather palm in the world, able to withstand cooler climates better than most tropical species, making it one of the few large palms that can be grown outdoors in milder parts of the UK.

Its defining feature is a massive, smooth grey trunk, thick and columnar like an elephant’s leg, topped with an elegant crown of long, arching, pinnate fronds. The lush, silver-green leaves can reach up to 5 metres long, giving it a regal, symmetrical form. In its native habitat, the trunk can reach up to 20 metres, but it remains much smaller for decades in cultivation, especially in UK gardens.

Historically, its sap was tapped to produce palm wine (hence the name), though this practice is now banned in Chile due to conservation efforts. In cultivation, Jubaea chilensis is grown purely for its bold, architectural beauty and its capacity to create an exotic landscape feel in temperate zones.

🛠️ Jubaea chilensis – Comprehensive Care Guide

🌞 Light Requirements

• Thrives in full sun.

• Choose an open, south-facing or west-facing location for best growth.

• Also suitable for large glasshouses or conservatories while young.

💧 Watering

• Requires regular watering when young or container-grown.

• Once established in the ground, it is highly drought-tolerant.

• Water deeply during dry spells, especially in the first few years after planting.

• Always allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to avoid root rot.

🌫️ Humidity

• Adapted to dry, Mediterranean-style climates.

• No additional humidity required – performs well in dry air.

🌡️ Temperature & Hardiness

• One of the most cold-tolerant feather palms – hardy to around -12°C, possibly lower in well-drained soil.

• Young plants benefit from fleece protection during extreme frosts or prolonged cold snaps.

• Ideal for milder coastal or urban areas of the UK, especially in sheltered microclimates.

• Ensure protection from cold drying winds in winter.

🌱 Soil

• Requires well-draining soil.

• Grows best in sandy loam, gravelly, or chalky soils that are not prone to waterlogging.

• If planting in clay or heavy soil, amend with grit and organic matter to improve drainage.

🍽️ Feeding

• Feed every 4–6 weeks during the growing season (spring to early autumn) with a balanced slow-release fertiliser or palm-specific feed.

• Mature, established palms in the ground need little feeding but may benefit from an annual spring feed.

✂️ Pruning & Maintenance

• Very low maintenance.

• Remove only fully dead or damaged fronds by cutting close to the trunk.

• Do not cut green fronds, as this slows growth and weakens the palm.

• The trunk remains smooth and attractive with age.

🪴 Repotting / Planting

• In containers: repot every 2–3 years, increasing pot size gradually.

• In the ground: choose a permanent, spacious location with good drainage.

• Slow-growing but very long-lived – best treated as a legacy tree in landscaping schemes.

🐛 Pests & Problems

• Generally pest- and disease-free in the UK.

• Ensure proper drainage to avoid fungal root rot in cool, wet winters.

• Protect from slug and snail damage when very young.

☠️ Toxicity

• Non-toxic to humans and pets.

• Produces edible seeds (palm nuts) in maturity, though not typically harvested in cultivation.

🌟 Top Tips for Success

• A superb choice for statement landscaping or botanical collections in the UK’s mildest regions.

• Slow to grow – plant young and be patient; it’s an investment in future grandeur.

• Pairs well with Trachycarpus, Phoenix canariensis, and Mediterranean plants for a dramatic, drought-tolerant scheme.