Forest & Kim Starr
Family
Arecaceae
Botanical Name
Livistona chinensis
Plant Common Name
Chinese Fan Palm, Chinese Fountain Palm, Fountain Palm
General Description
The Chinese fan palm is a slow growing, fairly hardy subtropical palm revered for its large fan-shaped fronds with pendent tips. It is native to the southern islands of Japan and nearby Taiwan where it grows in open forests. It is an adaptable palm that grows well in arid or seaside locations as well as more amendable ones.
Its light grayish green, evergreen fronds are glossy, rounded and large. Each is held on a long petiole armed with large teeth (younger plants have the most teeth). Each fan-shaped leaf has many pointed segments that are fused at the base. The free tips droop downward making them look shaggy and hair-like. During the warm months, a large, branched floral stem appears at the base of the leaves, or the crownshaft. It becomes covered with hundreds of cream colored flowers, which are pollinated by insects. Blue-green or pinkish gray, round fruits develop towards season's end.
Grow Chinese fan palm in full sun to partial shade and practically any well-drained soil. In the coldest reaches of its hardiness range, winter soils must be dry. This slow growing palm tolerates light freezes and some drought but grows best with regular water and fertilizer. In shady locations, the fronds are usually much larger and petiole stems longer. Full sun is needed for this palm to reach full height. Ratty looking leaves should be pruned back to the base.
Use Chinese fan palm as a bold-textured landscape plant when young and short and grand specimen when mature. Young plants may be grown as houseplants if given bright light and good care. Maintaining a small pot size will help keep plants smaller.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 8
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USDA Hardiness Zone
9 - 11
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Palm or Cycad
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
30'-40' / 9.1m - 12.2m
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Width
12'-18' / 3.7m - 5.5m
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Bloom Time
Indeterminate
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Native To
China, Japan
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Feature Plant, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
Yes
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Birds
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Self-Sowing
No
