Chusan Palm
Trachycarpus fortunei
An evergreen palm featuring a single slender trunk covered in dark, fibrous, net-like burlap remnants, topped with a dense crown of stiff, deeply divided fan-shaped dark green leaves.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, approximately 6 hours or more of direct sunlight daily.
- Water
- Moderate watering needs. Water deeply when the top few inches of soil feel dry. Mature plants show good drought tolerance but perform best with consistent moisture.
- Growth
- Perennial palm with an upright, single-stemmed growth habit. Grows slowly to a mature height of 20 to 40 feet with a spread of 6 to 10 feet.
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade in well-draining soil. Water regularly during the growing season to establish deep roots, reducing frequency in winter. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, approximately 6 hours or more of direct sunlight daily.
Watering
Moderate watering needs. Water deeply when the top few inches of soil feel dry. Mature plants show good drought tolerance but perform best with consistent moisture.
Soil
Rich, loamy, well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH range of 6.0 to 7.5.
Hardiness zone
USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11, with some tolerance down to zone 7 depending on wind protection.
Growth habit
Perennial palm with an upright, single-stemmed growth habit. Grows slowly to a mature height of 20 to 40 feet with a spread of 6 to 10 feet.
Bloom season
Spring. Produces large, branching panicles of small yellow flowers emerging from among the leaves.
Propagation
Propagated primarily from fresh seeds sown in warm, moist soil conditions. Germination can be slow and irregular.
Common pests & issues
Generally resilient, but may occasionally encounter scale insects, spider mites, or root rot if grown in poorly draining soils.
Similar species
Chamaerops humilis (European Fan Palm), which is typically smaller, multi-stemmed, and has spiny petioles, whereas Trachycarpus fortunei is usually single-stemmed with smooth leaf stems.