CHINESE FAN PALM

This is also one of our favorite palm trees to plant in Florida. We love the rings around the trunk as the tree ages and the old frond boots are removed. We also love the bright red, black, and purple colors of the seeds. Be careful to remove the seed pods before the seeds start releasing, or some seeds might propagate, which you do not want.

In our opinion, immature specimens of this fan palm are as attractive as the mature plants. Evidently, others share this view. It is becoming common to see young Chinese fan palms used in masses as ground cover in both outdoor landscapes and interiorscapes, especially in shopping malls. A dwarf variety, Livistona chinensis subglobosa, is available and used for that purpose. This is not to say that mature specimens are unattractive; quite the opposite. The large, bright green fan-shaped leaves are deeply divided into about 75 segments that droop downward, giving a graceful, fountain-like appearance, inspiring its common name, Chinese fountain palm. These leaves can grow up to 5 ft (1.5 m) in diameter and form a dense canopy on a solitary brown trunk that bleaches to gray as it ages.

Trunks grow to about 18 in (46 cm) in diameter and are wider at the base. This palm is occasionally seen in Florida, slowly growing to a height of 30 ft (9 m). In its native habitat, Livistona can reach 50 feet but is more commonly seen at heights of 15 to 25 ft (4.6-7.6 m). Flowers are borne on 6 ft (1.8 m) inflorescences hidden within the crown and are followed by oval or round seeds that turn dark blue to blue-gray when ripe.

Common Names: Chinese fan palm, Chinese fountain palm. Family: Arecaceae (palm family).

The Chinese fan palm is not particular about soil. Fertilize twice a year in spring and summer with a good quality slow-release fertilizer containing micro-nutrients. It likes direct sun and bright situations, though young plants look better in partial shade. This palm forms a long taproot and can survive extended periods of drought, but adequate moisture encourages more rapid growth.

Hardiness is USDA Zones 9 – 11. This palm may be hardier than Zone 8, where I have grown several for more than 20 years. Sheltered under live oak trees, these specimens routinely survive temperatures in the mid-twenties with no ill effect. They have survived temperatures as low as 15 degrees, which burned the leaves, but they recovered and are still flourishing! They also seem resistant to the fungal diseases that attack other “semi-hardy” palms after sustaining cold damage.

Propagation is by seed. If kept warm, they will germinate in about 2 months.