European fan palms are frequently used to add tropical flair to temperate landscapes. They also grow well as houseplants, adapting easily to indoor conditions.

These palms can grow both as a shrub with multiple trunks or as a small tree with a single trunk. The light blue-green to silver-green, fan-shaped fronds stretch roughly 2 feet long and wide and feature 10 to 20 long, narrow leaflets. Clusters of bright yellow flowers bloom in the spring. Small, round fruits in yellow, orange, or brown follow the flowers. European fan palms have a slow growth rate and are best planted in the spring.

The European fan palm is a tough and undemanding species, which makes it fairly easy to grow indoors. The fronds spread in a circle to approximately 300º and grow in an upward fashion, giving them a fan appearance. Because the Chamaerops Humilis is native to Europe (the only one) it grows well in temperate countries without a tropical climate, outdoors and indoors.

Once the European fan matures it sits well as a centerpiece within a large room or conservatory. Because it grows with a wide spread be prepared to have enough space, unless you plan to move it outdoors. Young plants at a manageable size, just need a spot to sit that gets enough sunlight close to windows.

We’ll be sharing more about this plant in future.