European Fan Palm

European Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis) is the hardiest palm most Australian gardeners can buy, and one of the few that will grow almost anywhere in the country. It forms a multi trunked clump to about 3m tall and 2.5m across, with stiff blue green fans held on short arching stems. Frost, salt, heat, wind and drought are all taken in its stride.

Why you'll love it

• It handles cold that stops other palms. Frost hardy as well as heat tolerant, so it grows across far more of the country than a tropical palm.
• Multi trunked, not a single pole. Several trunks lean out from the base, giving a broad sculptural shape rather than a bare stem with a head on top.
• Slow and predictable. It puts on very little each year, so it will not outgrow a courtyard, a pot or a poolside bed the way a fast palm does.
• Pet friendly and low maintenance. Not toxic to cats or dogs, and there is nothing to do but remove old fronds once a year.

Where it works best

Pots and courtyards. A pot 500mm or wider suits it for many years, and slow growth means no repotting treadmill. This is the palm for a balcony that gets battered by wind.

Poolside. Fronds are stiff and shed very little, so the skimmer basket stays clear, and the roots behave near paving.

Coastal and feature planting. Salt laden wind does not mark the foliage, and a single clump makes a strong architectural feature in gravel, a rockery or a dry garden bed.

Growing European Fan Palm in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the tightest, bluest fans, though it accepts part shade with a looser look. Its climate range is unusually wide, covering Mediterranean, warm temperate, subtropical, arid and cool temperate gardens.

Soil. Free draining above all. Sandy, gravelly and poor soils are ideal. On clay, plant on a mound. Wet feet through winter is the one thing that will kill it.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer, then only in long dry spells. Potted plants need a soak once a week in summer. A slow release palm fertiliser in spring is the whole feeding programme.

Pruning. Cut old brown fronds off close to the trunk once a year. The leaf stems carry sharp spines, so wear gloves and long sleeves. Never cut into green fronds, since a palm cannot replace them.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in 200mm packs of six, 400mm pots, and 45L, 90L, 100L and 285L sizes. Because this palm is genuinely slow, size at purchase matters more than with most plants: a 200mm plant may take a decade to fill a courtyard, while the 100L and 285L specimens arrive with multiple trunks and immediate presence.

Palms travel well with the fronds tied, and a little tip browning after transit is normal. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• A guide to palm tree varieties
• Browse the full palm range
• Compare poolside planting options
• Other plants that are safe around pets

Common questions

How cold can it handle?

It is frost hardy and grows happily in cool temperate gardens, which makes it a realistic palm for southern Victoria, Adelaide and the tablelands. Young plants still want shelter through their first couple of winters.

How fast does it grow?

Slowly, often only 100mm to 150mm of height a year. That is the trade off for its toughness, and the reason to buy the largest size your budget allows.

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

Yes, it is not toxic to cats or dogs. The leaf stems do carry sharp spines though, so plant it away from paths and play areas where a child or animal might brush past.