European fan palm (Chamaerops humilis) is a palm species native to Europe. European fan palm grows at a latitude that is farther north than any other similar species. Palms can be utilized commercially to make woven goods like baskets.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Chamaerops is a genus of flowering plants in the family Arecaceae. It contains only one species, Chamaerops humilis, variously called European fan palm or the Mediterranean dwarf palm. It is one of the most cold-hardy palms and is used in landscaping in temperate climates.
Chamaerops humilis is a shrub-like clumping palm, with several stems growing from a single base. It has an underground rhizome which produces shoots with palmate, sclerophyllous leaves.
The stems grow slowly and often tightly together, eventually reaching 2–5 m (10–20 ft) tall with a trunk diameter of 20–25 cm (8–10 in). It is a fan palm (Arecaceae tribe Corypheae), and as such, has leaves with petioles terminating in rounded fans of 10–20 leaflets. Each leaf is up to 1.5 m (5 ft) long, with leaflets 50–80 cm (20–30 in) long. The petioles are armed with numerous sharp, needle-like spines; these may protect the stem growing point from browsing animals.
The flowers are borne in dense, short inflorescences at the tops of the stems. The plants usually, but not invariably, are dioecious with male and female flowers on separate plants. The prophyll covers the flowers on the inflorescence until the sexual phase (anthesis) and then splits open apically into two triangular lobes. The number of flowers per inflorescence is highly variable for both male and female plants, depending on the size of the inflorescence. Female flowers are tri-ovulate. Unripe fruits are bright green, turning to dull yellow to brown as they ripen during autumn (September–November). The seed (usually 0.6–0.8 g or 1⁄50–3⁄100 oz) contains a small cylindrical embryo, which is surrounded by several layers, from inner to outer as follows:
- a nutritious endosperm,
- a wide woody layer or endocarp,
- a fleshy and fibrous mesocarp (the pulp), and
- the thin outer layer or exocarp.
Chamaerops humilis is one of only two palm species native to continental Europe, the other being Phoenix theophrasti. It is mainly found in southwestern Europe, over all the south coasts of Spain and Portugal, central and southern Italy, parts of the southern Mediterranean coast of France and Monaco, on the islands of Malta, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and the Balearic Islands, as well as North Africa in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. It is one of the northernmost naturally occurring palms in the world, with the northernmost native standing in Genoa, Italy, at 44°N. Although not naturally occurring far north from the Mediterranean, Chamaerops humilis grows well as far north as southern England.
Chamaerops humilis is valued in gardening and landscaping in many parts of the world. It is very drought-tolerant once established. It is hardy to −12 °C (10 °F), but does prefer hot summers. It is a very slow-growing plant. A blue form of the species, native to high elevations of the Atlas Mountains, has recently been introduced into the trade and early reports indicate that it may be 12 °C (22 °F) or more hardier than the green form.
It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
The European fan palm is adaptable to various amounts of sunlight but, due to its Mediterranean origins, will thrive with full exposure. It can also be cultivated indoors, as long as you provide it with a minimum of 4-6 hours of sunlight a day.
Temperature and Humidity
Warm, sunny days and cool nights are the ideal conditions for European fan palms. However, as one of the most adaptable species of palms, they can withstand both extreme heat and extreme cold. Moreover, European fan palms are happy in average outdoor humidity levels, but they might require extra humidity when grown indoors. Setting the pot on a tray filled with water and pebbles can raise humidity around the plant.
Watering
Your European fan palm will need frequent, weekly watering while it is still young and establishing its roots. Because it forms a deep and extensive root system, it becomes fairly drought-tolerant once established. If your garden receives 2.5 cm of water a week, your mature european fan palm will do just fine – additional watering will only be required during long, dry periods.
Soil
The European fan palm is quite adaptable in terms of soil. It grows well in sandy and loamy soils, but make sure that your container has proper drainage if you plan on growing it indoors. A potting mix made up of peat moss combined with some sand or perlite is ideal. The european fan palm also tolerates various soil pH levels, ranging from slightly acidic to alkaline (pH ranging from 6.1-7.8).
Fertilizing
Your European fan palm will benefit from regular fertilizing, which will help it to produce healthy fronds. Do not use regular fertilizers – instead, apply a quality, slow-release palm fertilizer. Feedings should be conducted at least three times a year, during the spring, summer, and fall. If your soil is poor, you can increase the frequency of fertilizing to every three weeks during the growing season.
Pruning
Pruning your European fan palm will help it to maintain its shape and vigor. Dying branches should be removed from the sides of the trunk by cutting them 2.5 cm from the base. Don’t cut any buds at the top of the trunk because this could prevent your European fan palm from forming a proper canopy. When it comes to multiple trunks that grow from the same base, these can be removed but only when young, otherwise you might kill the plant. Always use clean, sharp tools when pruning, as well as gloves, since the European fan palm can be thorny.
Propagation
European fan palms can be propagated from seed and by removing and separating suckers. Note that seeds that you have collected from a cultivar will not produce a palm tree that is true to the parent, therefore it is usually better to use suckers for propagation, which is also the fastest method:
- Gently separate suckers from a mature plant, keeping as many roots intact as possible.
- Plant the sections in a container filled with well-draining potting mix, or directly in a garden location with well-draining soil.
- Keep the soil evenly moist until you see new growth, which indicates that the suckers have established a root system.
How to Grow from Seed
To grow European fan palm from seed, sow the seeds in the spring after any danger of frost has passed in 4-inch pots filled with potting mix. Lightly cover the seeds with soil and keep them consistently moist until they germinate, which can take several weeks up to a couple of months.
Potting and Repotting
When growing this palm in a container, choose a pot that is slightly larger than its root ball. The pot should have large drainage holes. Use a fast-draining potting mix, often sold as cactus, palm, and citrus potting mix. European fan palm is a slow grower so you only have to replant it when the roots fill the container and grow out of the drainage holes, every two to three years. Upgrade to a slightly larger container, and use fresh potting mix.
Overwintering
Although European fan palms are quite hardy (in freezing temperatures, their foliage gets damaged but the trunk survives and the foliage regrows in the spring)1, it is best to overwinter the tree indoors if you are located below USDA zone 9. In warm climates, the plant does not require winter protection.
Pests and Diseases
European fan palms are not prone to any serious pest or disease issues. However, keep an eye out for common plant pests, including mealybugs, scale, and spider mites. Treat problems as soon as you spot them with an insecticidal soap.
III. Types of European Fan Palm
There are a few varieties of European fan palms, including:
- Chamaerops humilis ‘Vulcano’: This cultivar is more compact than the main species, and it’s known for its lack of spines.
- Chamaerops humilis var. argentea: Also known as the Atlas mountain palm, this variety has silvery-green leaves.
- Chamaerops humilis ‘Stella’: This cultivar also is known for its silvery foliage.
IV. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
European fan palm (Chamaerops humilis) is an arresting evergreen palm that is so popular it received the Royal Horticultural Society’s prestigious Award of Garden Merit. This palm is loved for its fan-shaped leaves and stunning yellow blooms. This is a salt-tolerant plant ideal for coastal gardens, especially in combination with plants like New Zealand flax, canna, and cyperus. It also makes a great specimen or container plant.
- Other uses
Apart from its material benefits, this palmetto is of emotional value as a charismatic component of the “garrigues” and “macchias” of the Mediterranean coastline.
The leaves of the adult plants have been used to make brooms and for weaving mats, carrier baskets, and similar articles. For finer work the young, unopened leaves are treated with sulphur to soften them and provide supple fibre.
The husk, known in southern Spain as “higa”, is edible before it becomes too tough to eat as it matures. Because of their bitterness and high tannin content, the fruit are not used for human food, but in traditional medicine they have been used as an astringent.
