Chamaerops humilis
dwarf fan palm
A bushy evergreen palm making a medium-sized shrub, often stemless or multi-stemmed, with a rounded mass of fan-shaped leaves to 45cm in length. Short rigid panicles of small yellow flowers are borne on mature plants only
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Arecaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Chamaerops is a single species of evergreen palm with several erect stems bearing large, rounded leaves deeply cut into linear segments; insignificant flowers are borne in panicles from the lower leaf axils, followed by small, date-like fruits
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- W & C Mediterranean
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow under glass or as a houseplant in a peat-free, loam-based compost in bright, indirect light. When in growth water moderately and feed with a balanced fertiliser once a month. Water sparingly in winter
Propagation
Propagate by seed or suckers
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Patio and container plants
- Architectural
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, thrips and scale insects
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.