Chamaerops humilis - Mediterranean Fan Palm
Introduction to the Chamaerops humilis - Mediterranean Fan Palm / European Fan Palm
Chamaerops humilis
Scientific name: Chamaerops humilis
Pronunciation: ku-MEE-rops HEW-mil-liss
Common name(s): Mediterranean Fan Palm / European Fan Palm
Family: Arecaceae
Plant type: palm tree; shrub
This small, multi-stemmed, hardy palm is the only one native to Europe, and is hardier than most palms. The curved, clumping, short trunks and gray-green, fan-shaped leaves, borne thickly in a bushy head, make a stunning sculptural element in a garden or patio containers. The fine textured fronds make the palm stand out from other plants in the landscape. Leaf color on individual plants ranges from light green through silver. Although growth rate is slow, it is well worth the wait since even small plants will stand out nicely in almost any landscape.
Uses: specimen; container or above-ground planter; near a deck
or patio; foundation; border; mass planting; accent; suitable for
growing indoors
Roots: usually not a problem
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests
Use and Management
By removing suckers from the base of the main trunk, this slightly salt-tolerant palm may also be trained as a single trunked palm. Since the leaf stalks are spiny, Fan Palm may also be used as a barrier, planted three to five feet apart. It makes a nice accent plant in a shrub border or in a low-growing groundcover. It can also be planted several feet apart in a mass on a large-scale landscape forming a fine-textured accent area. Growing best in moist rich soil, it is drought- and wind resistant, and established plants will survive temperatures to 10-degrees F. or below, in full sun or light shade. Plants grow very slowly in the shade.
Propagation is by seed or division.
Scale may be a problem.
Pests and Diseases
No diseases are of major concern.
Information provided by University of Florida
Chamaerops humilis installation in Poway California. SCW has many large Mediterranean Fan Palms