#152 Chamaerops humilis Common Names: European fan palm Family: Arecacea/Palmae (palm Family) Wallpaper Gallery (1 images)

European fan palms form slowly expanding clumps with individual stems that can grow (very slowly) up to 15 ft in height. Download a large version of this Euro palm grove that graces the front plaza of the House of Representatives on the Florida State Capital grounds in Tallahassee.

The European fan palm forms clumps than can grow up to 15 ft (4.5 m) in height. The triangular, fan shaped leaves grow to about 20-24 in (50-60 cm) long by 24 in (60 cm) wide. They are deeply divided into multiple segments that are themselves split at the tip and they are supported on 3-4 ft (90-120 cm) stems. This is an extremely variable plant both in color (the leaves range from blue green to grey green to yellow green) and in shape. Some plants form suckers more freely than others to become very shrubby plants that may reach 15 ft (4.5 m) in width. Other individuals can be seen that are almost dwarf growing just 5 ft (1.5 m) tall by 4 ft (1.2 m) wide. These days it is popular to remove all but a few of the suckers and to prune the leaves to form a cluster of clear trunked "mini" palms (see photo).

Small, bright yellow flowers held close to the trunk are hidden behind the leaf stems which are armed with very sharp teeth. The flowers are followed in the fall by fruits which are dark yellow, orange or brown, and about 0.5 in (1 cm) in diameter.

The lower leaves were trimmed from the stems of this European fan palm to create a specimen that serves as the focal point of the parking lot (in this case) or yard in which it is planted.

Culture
The European Fan palm is very adaptable to many kinds of well drained soils.
Light: European fan palm prefers bright sunny locations, but it also does well in part shade with some direct sunlight. It will survive in rather heavy shade but "stretches" to lose its compact shape.
Moisture:Provide adequate moisture for fastest growth. This palm is very drought tolerant once established. It dislikes soggy soils.
Hardiness:USDA Zones 8-10. European fan palm is hardy throughout Florida. It can survive temperatures down to 10° F (-12° C). It even survives the occasional snowfall in its native habitat!
Propagation: European fan palm is usually propagated from seed. It can also be propagated by dividing clumps or removing suckers, methods that require superhuman effort. I once spent a weekend dividing a clump. The effort left me a sweaty, sore, bloody mess (from the sharp teeth on the leaf stems!) Believe me, seeds are the way to go! Better yet, reasonably priced specimens are readily available from nurseries and discount stores.

European fan palm produces short infloresences in the early spring upon which hundreds of small flowers are borne.

These green, unripe seeds will soon ripen when they'll darken, dry and fall from the plant.

The European fan palm is excellent in containers and urns. And thanks to its drought resistance and durability to heat it can thrive in harsh urban conditions. This palm is somewhat salt resistant and may be grown near the ocean if given some protection (behind a dune, building, etc.)

Features
Beauty, ruggedness, versatility, cold hardiness and drought resistance add up to make Chamaerops humilis a winner. If that isn't enough, the European fan palm is also fairly fast growing when supplied with adequate moisture and fertilizer.

Jack Scheper 5/24/98; updated Steve Christman 6/5/06, 9/9/06, 12/4/06

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