Chamaerops humilis

Mediterranean Fan Palm

Accent Tree

This small, multi-trunked evergreen tree will never grow to skyline level, reaching at most 20 feet and eventually could sprawl as wide. It is very slow to develop, growing only six inches a year. The fans are small compared to other fan palms and are white in the creases with thorns on the ribs.

Evergreen: Deciduous:

Temperature

Hardy to 15F.

Water requirements

Accepts periods of drought when established but stays stunted. Prefers moderate water. Does nicely with occasional deep irrigation. Tolerates ample water of a lawn if drainage is good

Sun

Full, open or filtered shade; part or full sun.

Soil

Tolerant. Accepts alkaline conditions but prefers rich, moist soil.

Maintenance

Little unless you trim to limit the number of trunks and want to remove old fronds.

Disadvantages

Young plants tender to cold in high zone. Occasionally attacked by heart rot fungus during humid periods in late summer. Hard to trim and groom thorny petioles.

Bloom

July bloom is unobtrusive.

Fruit or Seeds

Fruit clusters on female trees below leaves around the trunk. Look like small, shiny beads.

Uses

Small garden palm for containers or small areas. Linear barrier. Specimen or mass as an underplanting for taller palms.

Origin

Native to southern Europe and north Africa. A member of the Arecarceae (Palmae) family.

Themes

Desert Transitional, Tropical, Mediterranean, Pool Area

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