Alphabetical Plant Listing

Chamaerops humilis (European Fan Palm)

European Fan Palm, Dwarf Fan Palm, European Fan Palm, African Hair Palm


Among the hardiest palms, Chamaerops humilis (European Fan Palm) is a bushy evergreen palm forming a medium-sized rounded shrub or a small tree. It can be stemless or multi-trunked (with up to 8 trunks) as it usually suckers from the base of the main trunk. However, it can be easily trained to grow with a single trunk by regularly removing the suckers. It is crowned by large, fine-textured, blue-green to silver-green, fan-shaped leaves, up to 18-24 in. long (45-60 cm). Each leaf is divided into as many as 10-20 narrow, stiff segments at the end of 3-4 ft. long (90-120 cm) spiny petioles. In spring, short panicles of bright yellow flowers are borne on mature plants. They give way to small, round, yellow-orange to brown fruits that ripen in the fall. Versatile (rounded shrub to small tree), European Fan Palm is the only palm native to Europe. A slow-grower in the cooler parts of its range, it is one of the most adaptable species of palms, surviving extreme heat and cold. It can withstand temperatures down to 10ºF (-12ºC). Furthermore, it also has exceptional wind and drought tolerance. Plant as a specimen or in groups. Excellent in containers or as an impenetrable hedge. Thrives in coastal conditions.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows up to 6-15 ft. tall (180-450 cm) and 6-20 ft. wide (180-600 cm).
  • Easily grown in rich, moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Best in full sun but tolerates part shade. Drought tolerant once established, but regular summer irrigation promotes good growth and good health. Tolerates poor soils.
  • No pruning is required.
  • No serious disease or pest issues. Keep an eye out for mealy bugs, scale, and spider mites.
  • Propagate by seed or suckers. Dividing clumps or removing suckers can be difficult.
  • Native to the western and central Mediterranean region.

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Requirements

Hardiness 9 – 11
Heat Zones 10 – 11
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Palms - Cycads
Plant Family Palms - Cycads
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 6' – 15' (180cm – 4.5m)
Spread 6' – 20' (180cm – 6m)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Salt
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Mediterranean Garden

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 9 – 11
Heat Zones 10 – 11
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Palms - Cycads
Plant Family Palms - Cycads
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 6' – 15' (180cm – 4.5m)
Spread 6' – 20' (180cm – 6m)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Salt
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Mediterranean Garden

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Palms - Cycads

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