European Fan Palm
Camaerops humilis
Other Names: European Cold hardy Fan Palm, Mediterranean Fan Palm
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7b-11 Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub or Tree
Height at Maturity: 5-6′ in cool climates; 10-15′ in frost-free climates
Width at Maturity: 5-6′ in cool climates; 10-15 in frost free climates
Spacing:
Growth Habit / Form: Upright Rounded Shrub or Small Tree
Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
Flower Color: Gold-Yellow
Flower Size: Somewhat inconspicuous
Flowering Period: Spring
Flower Type:
Fragrant Flowers:
Foliage Color: Bluish Grey-Green
Fragrant Foliage: No
Berries:
Berry Color:
Sun Needs: Full Sun to Part Shade, Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Afternoon Sun, All-Day Lightly Filtered Sun
Water Needs: Average, Low when established
Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sandy, Silty
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist to Somewhat Dry
Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.5
Maintenance / Care: Low to Average
Attracts: Visual Attention
Resistances: Cold Temperatures (5F), Deer, Disease, Drought (when established), Heat, Insect, Salt (moderate)
Description
Native to Europe and North Africa, the European Fan Palm, also known as the Mediterranean Fan Palm, is one of the most cold hardy palms, surviving winters as far north as USDA Zone 7b (5 degrees F), and possibly 7a with protection during severe winters. In cooler climates it tends to form a multi-trunk shrub to about 5 to 6 feet tall. In frost-free climates it might reach 10 to 15 tall and wide developing. Lower leaves can be removed to expose trunks. The huge, blue-green fan-shaped leaves can be 2 feet long and wide with 10 to 20 narrow, finger-like leaflets. The European Fan Palm is a fine tropical accent in the landscape or in containers, where it can even be grown as an indoor houseplant.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 5 to 6 feet tall and wide in cooler climates, or 10 to 15 feet tall and wide in frost-free, subtropical or tropical climates, the European Fan Palm is ideal for use as a specimen in smaller gardens spaces or home foundation plantings, or in groupings or as a barrier hedge in larger landscape borders. It is also excellent for growing in containers that can be situated around patios, decks, pools or other outdoor living spaces, and can even be grown year round as an indoor houseplant. A fine addition to tropical look gardens, costal gardens and rock gardens.
Growing Preferences
European Fan Palm is easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained soil and full sun or part shade. To much shade and the plant will lose its fullness. We suggest at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day. It may also be grown in conservatories and greenhouses where it is very tolerant of high temperatures. Additionally, it withstands strong winds and salt spray making it an ideal palm for coastal gardens.
Helpful Articles
Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts for how to plant and care for Palm trees.
How To Plant A Palm Tree
How To Prune A Palm Tree
How To Fertilize & Water A Palm Tree
Plant Long & Prosper!
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