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    • Photo of Chamaerops humilis by Karl Gercens III

    Photo by Karl Gercens III

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

    Show all photos

    Chamaerops humilis

    Also Known As

    • Cretan Date Palm
    • Mediterranean Fan Palm

    Plant type

    tree, shrub, palm / cycad

    size

    • H: 5'-15'
    • W: 5'-20'

    planting zones

    • 8b-10b

    More Options

    Chamaerops humilis plant details

    Chamaerops humilis is an evergreen palm / cycad, shrub or tree with blue and green foliage. In spring chartreuse and yellow flowers emerge followed by brown fruit. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Chamaerops humilis

    Plant type: palm / cycad, shrub or tree
    Plant family: araceae
    Foliage: evergreen blue and green
    Mature size: 5 FT - 20 FT - wide, 5 FT - 15 FT - tall
    Flowers: chartreuse and yellow blooms in spring
    Uses: compact, container plant

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Chamaerops humilis

    USDA Zones: 8b - 10b
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
    Watering frequency: regular - low
    Resistant to: heat and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    This fan palm from the Mediterranean basin is considered hardy to -10o C and is grown throughout Europe including the warmer areas of England, Belgium and Switzerland. It is shorter than the windmill palm (Vancouver’s most common palm) but has babies that emerge from the base giving a multi-trunked specimen. Plant in a warm, protected microclimate in your yard in well-drained soil. Some bubble wrap will help it if the temperatures really drop.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    A most interesting miniature palm, this wonderfully unique shrub/small tree (6-15') is the only native European palm; featuring huge, two foot, fan-shaped leaves made up of 10-20 narrow finger-like divided leaflets which vary from light-blue to green-gray, this palm typically sends up multiple suckers and can reach up to 20' wide, the suckers can also be removed to form a single trunked specimen, showy bright-yellow flowers in spring are followed by brown fruits; it can be successfully grown indoors in colder climates; does best in full sun, but can tolerate part shade. S-PSh/M

    By: Forestfarm

    The Mediterranean fan palm trees form clumps of multiple trunks that can grow up to 15' in height. They are native to Europe and Northern Africa. Plant in well draining soil. Very cold hardy to 5 °F.

    By: Oregon Palm Nursery

    A cold hardy palm good to Zone 8. A mediterranean fan palm with silvery blue leaves.

    By: Tejas Tropicals

    This Mediterranean Fan Palm is an outstanding clumping hardy palm that grows slowly to about 10' and up to twice as wide.

    By: Greer Gardens Inc.

    This palm is a fixture of old Portland gardens with stiff armed foliage and multi-trunked exuberance. Eventually to 5-10' tall by 5' wide. Site in full to part sun. Cold hardy in upper USDA zone 8 but be prepared to throw a blanket over it at ±15 °F.

    By: Cistus Nursery

    Gardening facts about Chamaerops humilis plant

    How to Grow Chamaerops humilis

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly sun

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in summer

    • Soil Needs

      • well-drained

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green
      • blue

    • Flower Color

      • yellow
      • chartreuse

    • Fruit

      • brown

    • Flower Season

      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    See other plant types of Chamaerops for your garden

    Chamaerops humilis var. argentea

    aka Chamaerops humilis var. argentea '(syn. var. cerifera)', Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera, Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera [blue], Blue Mediterranean Fan Palm, Mediterranean Fan Palm

    Plant Type

    Shrub, Palm / Cycad

    Zones

    7b-11

    Size

    Height: 10'-12'

    Width: 10'-12'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Chamaerops humilis var. argentea foliage by Karl Gercens III
    View Plant

    Trachycarpus fortunei

    aka Chamaerops excelsa, Chinese Fan Palm, Chinese Windmill Palm, Chusan Palm, Windmill Palm

    Plant Type

    Tree, Palm / Cycad

    Zones

    7a-11

    Size

    Height: 15'-35'

    Width: 6'-12'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • high - regular
    Photo of Trachycarpus fortunei landscape by Karl Gercens III
    View Plant

    Chamaerops humilis 'Vulcano'

    Plant Type

    Palm / Cycad

    Zones

    8a-11

    Size

    Height: 6'-15'

    Width: 6'-20'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Chamaerops humilis 'Vulcano' foliage by Torquay Palms
    View Plant

    More Options

    +1 more Chamaerops
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