Chamaerops humilis var. argentea

RHS Plant Profile

blue Mediterranean fan palm

Synonyms

Chamaerops humilis 'Cerifera'
Chamaerops humilis silver back
Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera
Phoenix humilis var. argentea

Conservatory Greenhouse Palms

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A shrubby palm to 2m tall, suckering when mature. The silvery-blue, fan-shaped leaves are composed of linear leaflets held on spiny stalks. A good plant for a tropical border, where it is both drought-resistant and hardy to -5°C once established. Best grown as a conservatory or greenhouse plant where winters are not reliably mild

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Arecaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Suckering
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: Morocco

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in pots of peat-free multipurpose compost in bright, filtered light with protection from direct summer sun. Water moderately in growth and apply a balanced liquid feed every month during the growing season; mist daily to increase humidity. See palm cultivation indoors for further information. In mild areas grow outdoors in freely-draining soil in sun or partial shade; see palm cultivation outdoors for further information

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in spring at 25°C

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Mediterranean climate plants
Bedding
Conservatory and greenhouse

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)