Chamaerops humilis

RHS Plant Profile

dwarf fan palm

Other common names

African hair palm, European fan palm

Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants Palms

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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

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: North–facing or East–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): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical 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)