European Fan Palm Tree

This Palm Tree is a great fit for almost any landscape! Awarded the Horticulturist Award for Garden Merit because of its availability, adaptability, ease of growing, pest resistance, and outstanding beauty. It gets its praise not only because of its unique look resembling a sculpture, but also because it is so easy to care for.

Why Choose a European Fan Palm?

If you’ve always desired to bring a bit of tropical paradise home with you but feel your location gets too cold in winter then a European Fan Palm is the tree that makes your dreams a reality. Check your USDA zone and minimum temperatures to see if the European Fan Palm is a good fit for you.  

European Fan Palms are sure to stand out in the landscape with their bushy canopies of fan-shaped fronds filled with finger-like and deeply divided leaflets. Each blue-green or grayish-green frond grows around 2 feet long and wide and is attached to a leaf stalk that is around 4 feet long. 

If the attractive and elegant canopy wasn’t enough, the brown curving trunks resemble a pine cone as they’re lined from top to bottom with scales. As the palm matures it develops multiple trunks, adding to the tree’s appeal. These slow-growers obtain a mature height of 8 to 15 feet and a spread of 6 to 10 feet when in USDA zone 7b-8.

The palm can also be trained to become a single trunk specimen. The single trunk look makes the palm a good option for areas where you would want a single trunk palm but have height limitations.

Adding to the palm’s colorful appeal are the panicles of bright yellow flowers that bloom in spring. The spent flowers  develop into small round orange or yellow fruits that ripen to brown in fall. All stages of the palm bring interest and color to the landscape throughout all the seasons of the year. 

If your idea of fun gardening doesn’t involve the constant care of a fussy plant then you can’t go wrong with a European Fan Palm. When planted in preferred conditions this tree is a breeze to care for and makes a superb specimen or accent plant. 

Is it Cold-Hardy in My Area?

Many types of palms require a subtropical or tropical climate to thrive in winter but European Fan Palms have evolved to survive the hot dry summers and cooler winters in Europe. These trees grow well throughout USDA hardiness zones 7b through 11, making them suitable additions to landscapes that experience cooler temperatures in the winter.

European Fan Palms tolerate winter lows of 10°F with short drops to 5°F, and although its fronds may suffer damage from the cold drops, if the palm is still alive the fronds will grow back. It is a good idea to protect the fronds if cold or extreme cold weather is on the horizon.

Adding a thick layer of organic mulch over the root zone helps insulate it and keep it warm. You should also give the palm a deep drink of water the day before cold weather arrives, as it also helps insulate the root system keeping it warm. 

Since the European Fan Palm does not grow too large, you can cover it with sheets or burlap to protect it from cold winds.

How Big Does It Get?

European Fan Palms grow slowly (a rate of 6 inches per year) and will eventually obtain a mature height of around 8 to 15 feet and a width of 6 to 10 feet in USDA zone 7b-8. This makes them suitable additions used in smaller landscapes or smaller areas of the landscape like a side yard. 

How Much Sun Does It Require?

The palm is versatile when it comes to the amount of sun it requires for healthy growth. It grows well situated in a site receiving full sun to partial shade. However, if planted in too much shade the palm loses a bit of its compact shape. 

What About Soil and Water?

Although European Fan Palms tolerate a range of well-drained soils, growing it in fertile soils that drain well produces the best growth. 

Once established, the palm is drought-tolerant. However, while it establishes itself in the planting site you should water several times weekly for the first few months. Thereafter, you can water weekly, depending on your local weather conditions. If you forget to water don’t worry because the palm’s growth won’t suffer.

Is It Easy to Maintain?

If you’re looking for a tree that’s easy to maintain then a European Fan Palm is the right choice. These hardy and durable palms aren’t bothered by pests or disease so you won’t be spending hours and cash keeping it healthy. 

The only maintenance involved is trimming off the fronds when they turn completely brown and are dead. It’s best to wait for the fronds to completely die before removing them as the palm is still gaining nutrients from them. 

Although palms are relatively easy to care for yourself, we encourage our professional maintenance service 3 times a year. We offer the Perfect Palm Maintenance Service with only the best products and professionals for your palms.

What About Fertilizing?

European Fan Palms will benefit from regular applications of a fertilizer specific to palms three to four times yearly. Starting in spring, apply a slow-release blend spread evenly under the canopy, always following label instructions on amounts. Water the fertilizer into the soil after applying. Apply the last application in September.