Trachycarpus fortunei

Trachycarpus fortunei is often called Chinese Palm, Hemp Palm or Windmill Palm and is one of the best-known palms in Europe. The long leaves that look like a fan give this palm its exotic look. The impressive trunk and green colour of its leaves will bring a summery ambiance to your garden. Trachycarpus fortunei looks even better when it is flowering. Chinese hemp palms are well suited for the moderate temperatures of Europe. Trachycarpus fortunei is an excellent exotic addition for your garden that will not be bothered by frost. In addition, it is available in various sizes. You can simply pick what suits your balcony or garden best. On this page you can find the entire range of our Trachycarpus fortunei – from small fan palms to large palms of more than 2 metres tall!

The origin of Trachycarpus fortunei

As the name ‘Chinese palm’ suggests, these are palms that originate in China, specifically the mountainous areas of China. There areas are prone to harsh winters. Because of this, Trachycarpus fortunei prefers moderate areas above tropical areas – in fact, it will likely perish in a tropical climate. Due to its ornamental value and ease of maintenance, this palm has become extremely popular in Europe. They can even be found as northern as on the Faroe Islands, where they have grown and survived successfully. The most problem-free palm for our climates!

Chinese fan palm; easy to maintain

Aside from its gorgeous appearance, there are more benefits a Trachycarpus fortunei brings along. It is an easy to care for palm, with low maintenance needs. It is a hardy palm, so you do not have to worry about the palm during winter. It only requires some minor protection during extended periods of frost. Trachycarpus fortunei is also not very picky regarding its location. It will grow in shady and sunny locations. It is recommended to keep it sheltered against wind, as its leaves may look less tidy if it catches a lot of wind. If you are considering a spot with a lot of wind, then Trachycarpus wagnerianus is a great alternative. Its looks are similar, but it has stiffer leaves that are more resilient against wind. The only other difference is the size of the leaves, which is somewhat smaller with wagnerianus, the colour of leaves, which is a bit darker for wagnerianus and the speed of growth. Wagnerianus tends to grow a bit slower while they are still small, but eventually reaches the same speed upon reaching a trunk size of approximately 40 cm.

Trachycarpus fortunei hardiness

Trachycarpus fortunei is a hardy fan palm. That means it will do well even during winter. Its native habitat in China experiences regular frost. Furthermore, it expanded its habitat significantly; It is commonly found in Korea and Japan and other moderate climates. Trachycarpus fortunei is known to withstand even severe frosts of -18 degrees Celsius. Despite that, it is good to protect younger palms against frost/ice in their spears (growing points). The bigger the trunk and the more developed the roots, the better it can resists winter. Its rough trunk with fan-shaped leaves add a beautiful appearance to your garden.

Trachycarpus fortunei in various sizes

The size of your palm tree is an important factor when choosing which to order. After all, a Trachycarpus fortunei (or any other palm tree) needs to fit your garden or balcony. Gardens generally have more space for a larger size than balconies. In our range of Trachycarpus fortunei you can find various sizes and both single- and multitrunked palm trees. In addition to Trachycarpus fortunei, we also offer various species of palm trees which have their own specifics. Some have thicker trunks, such as with Brahea, others remain smaller in size, such as Chamaerops humilis. If you are looking for a palm for any interior, take a look at our indoor palm trees. Our indoor plants add a tropical ambiance to your interior.

Chinese fan palm for interiors

As the Chinese fan palm is available in various sizes, you can use them as indoor plants as well. They prefer an outdoors spot, but with the right care, it is possible to keep them indoors as well. Indoor plants need different treatment than outdoors plants. Keep the soil slightly more humid during winter, though prefer the roots from swimming in water. If the roots are swimming, they are prone to root rot, which will severely damage your plant. There are various tools available to help you with watering your indoor plants, such as water meters. Generally speaking, giving your palm water once a week during summer is enough if it is indoors – though it does depend on it spot and the humidity of the air. Near heaters or in full sun, your palm will likely consume more water. Check if the soil is still humid enough after about 4 days. Trachycarpus fortunei does require at least 5 hours of direct sunlight, so keep this in mind when placing one inside. A window at the south side of your house is recommended.

Trachycarpus fortunei in your garden?

Nobody is surprised that Trachycarpus fortunei is one of the most popular palm trees of Europe. Its charming appearance and its ease of maintenance make it a great addition to European gardens. Are you interested in a Chinese fan palm for your garden? MyPalmShop can offer you the best quality and guarantee a quick and careful delivery in most of Europe

Questions regarding Trachycarpus fortunei?

Did you know you can always count on us for advice and information from our experienced specialists? Based on your wishes and requirements we can advise you regarding Trachycarpus fortunei. For more information regarding our palm trees, you can simply contact our customers service. They are glad to be of help.
 

Frequently asked questions