Mediterranean Fan Palm – Chamaerops humilis

Mediterranean Fan Palm – Chamaerops humilis

This attractive, low-maintenance palm grows to heights of five to fifteen feet with an equal spread. It has up to eight shaggy trunks at maturity and triangular, fan-shaped, deep green leaves that grow twenty to twenty-four-inches wide. This palm has sharp, thorny nubs along its stem, which makes it a little difficult to prune. By pruning some of the lower fronts, its multiple trunks are exposed. The palm produces many suckers as well as small bright yellow flowers that are held in bundles close to the plant’s trunk. The blossoms appear in spring and are not very attractive. After blooming, orangey brown fruits appear that are about a half-inch to one inch in diameter.

This palm prefers well-draining soil and is adaptable to many soil types. It likes full sun or partial shade and is hardy to fifteen degrees Fahrenheit. The Mediterranean fan palm is fast-growing and drought resistant and likes regular, deep irrigation once per week during the summer season.

Use it as an accent in an entryway or patio, either planted alone or in groups. The palm is a great addition to any bare corner of the landscape where you need a tropical looking plant. It works well as an understory plant beneath larger palms as an accent. This plant is native to the hot, dry hills and mountains of the Mediterranean Sea basin. The Mediterranean fan palm is also native to the mountains of Africa, Spain, France, and Turkey.

 

 

 

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