The Rock Palm is certainly the most confusing of the Braheas: the stems can be short or tall, thick or thin, solitary or suckering, and the leaves can range from green to glaucous blue. Furthermore, its range consists of N. Mexico right down to Guatemala, with many variations along the way. A very tough, drought and frost-resistant, easy-to-grow palm for temperate and subtropical climates. This particular rare variety has beautiful, silvery blue leaves.
Succeeds in most fertile moist but well-drained soils in a sheltered sunny position[231]. Tolerant of poor dry soils[200]. Plants from the north of its range tolerate several degrees of frost if they are growing in a dry sunny climate[200]. Palms usually have deep penetrating root systems and generally establish best when planted out at a young stage. However, older plants are substantially more cold tolerant than juvenile plants[231]. In areas at the limit of their cold tolerance, therefore, it is prudent to grow the plants in containers for some years, giving them winter protection, and only planting them into their permanent positions when sheer size dictates[231]. Palms can also often be transplanted even when very large. Although the thick fleshy roots are easily damaged and/or desiccated, new roots are generally freely produced. It is important to stake the plant very firmly to prevent rock, and also to give it plenty of water until re-established - removing many of the leaves can also help[231]. A very variable plant, some forms are spreading suckering shrubs[231]. The leaves are short-lived, an unusual feature for a palm[231].
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