Chamaerops humilis 'Compacta'

RHS Plant Profile
dwarf fan palm 'Compacta'

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A compact, slow-growing evergreen palm, with dense fans of narrow green leaves with paler undersides, held on short stems

Position

Full sun, 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

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or 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

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
Not established

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 division, separating offsets from established plants in late spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Houseplants
  • Patio and container plants
  • 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)