Mediterranean fan palm looks tropical but is right at home in the desert southwest. It easily handles our extreme sun, wind, and temperature swings. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for this stunning specimen plant.
Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis) is one of the best palms for growing in the desert. It shrugs off both desert heat and cold and doesn’t mind our full sun or reflected heat.
It’s a clumping palm that naturally grows as a cluster of curving trunks, giving it a lush, full, tropical appearance. It has stiff, fan-shaped leaves that are 2-3 feet across.
It makes a striking specimen when grown near pools or patios. If you aren’t sure whether you have enough room for one, you can grow one in a pot. It’s one of the best palms for containers.
It is one of two palm trees native to Europe and is sometimes called European fan palm. Its native habitat is the hot, dry western Mediterranean coasts of Europe and Northern Africa.
Why I Like This Plant
- Lush, multi-trunk palm that looks beautiful all year
- Thrives in extreme sun, heat, and cold
- Fantastic container plant
- Low maintenance and nearly litter-free
Things to Watch Out For
The leaf stems are lined with surprisingly sharp teeth. When pruning the fronds or otherwise working around this plant, protective gear is advised!
Optimal Growing Conditions
If you’re thinking of adding a Mediterranean fan palm to your garden, you need to find a suitable place that will keep your plant healthy and looking good… while minimizing maintenance for you.
Here are the key factors to keep in mind.
Temperature
Mediterranean fan palm should be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 – 11. It thrives in a wide range of temperatures. It is heat-loving but is also one of the most cold-resistant palms, withstanding temperatures down to 10℉.
Sun Exposure
Mediterranean fan palms thrive in full sun, including reflected heat, but will also grow in part shade.
Size and Growth Rate
Mediterranean fan palm is a slow grower and when planted in the right spot, doesn’t readily outgrow its space. When mature, you can expect your tree to be approximately 15 to 20 feet tall and wide.
Soil
Mediterranean fan palm prefers rich soil (another reason to grow it in a container), but it tolerates poor desert soil, provided it’s well-draining.
Other Location Considerations
Mediterranean fan palm makes an excellent container plant. When grown in a container, it stays smaller, but can still become substantial over time.
The stem of each frond is lined with razor-sharp teeth so you might not want to plant it where it might come in contact with curious children or pets.
Since they grow thick and bushy, Mediterranean fan palms can withstand heavy winds.
If you live where fire is a threat, these plants can re-sprout after a fire.
It’s a very low-litter plant, so is a good choice near a pool. The only potential litter is when the clusters of small olive-like fruits ripen, but you can head off the problem by trimming them before they fall.
Mediterranean Fan Palm:
The Essentials
| Common Name | Mediterranean fan palm |
| Scientific Name | Chamaerops humilis |
| Origin | Mediterranean region |
| Plant Type | Palm tree |
| USDA Zones | Zones 7 – 11 |
| Cold Hardiness | To 10℉ |
| Mature Size | 15-20’ high x 15-20’ wide |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Sun Tolerance | Full sun, reflected heat, part shade |
| Water Needs | Moderate |
| Pests & Diseases | None |
| Garden Friendly | Non-toxic, non-allergenic, low litter |
How to Plant
The rule of thumb when planting any palm in the desert is to dig a hole two feet wider on each side than the root ball but no deeper.
Amending the soil is not recommended. Counterintuitively, backfilling with the same native soil you just dug up helps your plant develop a stronger root system. Additionally, amending the soil will eventually result in the palm sinking into the hole.
When to Plant
The best time to plant Mediterranean fan palm is late spring to early summer. Warm soil temperatures encourage root development.
How to Care for Mediterranean Fan Palm
Whether you’ve recently planted a new fan palm or have an existing one in your yard, here’s how to take care of it to keep it healthy and looking its best.
How to Water
Once you’ve got your palm planted, water thoroughly, and then water daily for the next 2 weeks. Then water every 2 to 3 days for the following 2 weeks and gradually reduce the watering to get on this recommended watering schedule for palms.
| Spring & Fall | Every 10 – 14 days |
| Summer | Every 5 – 10 days |
| Winter | Every 14 – 21 days |
Keep in mind that this is a moderate rather than low water use plant. It can survive dry conditions but grows best when the soil stays somewhat moist.
Should You Fertilize?
Mediterranean fan palm benefits from an annual application of fertilizer in May.
Nitrogen is its most common deficiency in the southwest. Lack of nitrogen results in pale green or yellow fronds. Look for a slow release fertilizer that contains about 3 times as much nitrogen as potassium and phosphorus.
How to Prune
Mediterranean fan palm needs very little pruning. Your plant will be healthier if you refrain from removing any green leaves, since they provide the plant’s energy. Wait until they’ve turned brown.
You can remove dead fronds any time of the year. But you don’t have to! In fact, there are some benefits to the plant and to wildlife to keep the dried leaves on the plant.
It naturally has multiple trunks. With severe and frequent pruning, it can be trained to grow with a single trunk specimen by consistently removing new trunks as they appear. This may be necessary if that’s all you have room for, but I question whether it’s best for the health of your plant.
Have you grown this plant?
Was it a “hit” or a “miss” in your garden?
Please share your experience in the comments below!
Did you enjoy this article?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
where you’ll find more great info on creating &
maintaining a beautiful, carefree desert landscape.
Author Bio
Deane Alban is the creator of Southwest Gardener. She is a science writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany from the University of South Florida. Gardening is her lifelong passion. She’s been gardening in Tucson for 15 years.
Photo Credits
Arizona State University’s Virtual Library of Phoenix Landscape Plants
University of Florida Extension
North Carolina State Extension
Hans Hilliewaert, via Wikimedia Commons