Windmill Palm

Scientific Name: Trachycarpus fortunei

Plant Family: Arecaceae

Native Region: China, Japan, Myanmar, and India; now cultivated worldwide in temperate and subtropical climates.

Windmill Palm

Brief Description

A hardy, slow-growing evergreen palm featuring a slender trunk covered in dense, brown, burlap-like fibers and large, dark green fan-shaped fronds.

Care Instructions

Provide full sun to partial shade in well-draining soil. Water regularly while establishing; once mature, it is moderately drought-tolerant. Apply a slow-release palm fertilizer in spring and summer.

Medicinal Value

We do not currently provide medicinal value for plant identifications.

Sunlight

Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours of light); can tolerate more shade in very hot climates.

Watering

Moderate. Water when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry. Mature specimens can tolerate brief dry periods but prefer consistent moisture. Avoid waterlogging.

Soil

Well-draining, loamy or sandy soil; prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5 to 7.5).

Hardiness Zone

USDA zones 7b-11; known as one of the most cold-hardy palms, surviving temperatures down to 5-10°F (-12°C to -15°C).

Growth Habit

Perennial evergreen tree; slow growth rate reaching 20-40 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide at maturity.

Bloom Season

Late spring to early summer; produces large branched clusters of small yellow flowers (dioecious) followed by blue-black fruits on female plants.

Toxicity

Generally considered non-toxic to humans, dogs, and cats; however, the fibrous trunk and stiff fronds can cause physical irritation.

Propagation

Primarily by seeds, which can take 2-3 months to germinate at warm temperatures.

Common Pests & Issues

Leaf spot, scale insects, and palm aphids. Susceptible to root rot if soil is poorly drained. High winds can shred the fan-like fronds.

Similar Species

Mediterranean Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis) which is multi-trunked and has sharper spines; and Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor) which lacks the hairy fibrous trunk.

Interesting Facts

It is named after Robert Fortune, a Scottish botanist who smuggled tea plants from China to India. It is one of the few palms that can be successfully grown as far north as Vancouver and parts of the UK.

Created At: 2026-06-19T14:22:48.250617