Chamaerops humilis – European Fan Palm

Name: Chamaerops humilis – European Fan Palm
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
Price: 1300.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$1,300.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

1000 in stock

Size: 100L

100L 200L 50cm 40cm 30cm

Current Stock Height Guides

30cm: 0.4m – 0.6m Approx.
40cm/45L: 0.6m – 1.2m Approx.
50cm: Enquire within for height guide information.
100L: 0.9m – 1.5 Approx
200L/: 1m – 1.8m Approx

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Chamaerops humilis – European Fan Palm

Chamaerops humilis, commonly known as the European Fan Palm, is a compact, evergreen palm prized for its dense clumping habit, fan-shaped fronds, and exceptional hardiness. Native to the Mediterranean, this slow-growing palm offers a neat, architectural form and is one of the most cold-tolerant palms available.

Typically reaching 2–4 metres tall and 2–4 metres wide, it forms multiple slender trunks topped with symmetrical, bluish-green to grey-green foliage. It produces small yellow flowers in spring, which add seasonal interest. Thriving in full sun to part shade, this species is drought-tolerant once established, copes well with coastal conditions, and tolerates light frost, making it suitable for a wide range of landscapes.

They look excellent when used as a feature plant in courtyards, poolside spaces, Mediterranean gardens, or planted en masse for a dramatic low-screen or architectural backdrop. With minimal maintenance requirements and impressive resilience, the European Fan Palm is a versatile, long-lived option for modern and classic planting designs.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Chamaerops humilis – European Fan Palm is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 2–4 metres

Mature Width: 2–4 metres

Chamaerops humilis – European Fan Palm is expected to grow 15 – 30 cm per year (slow to moderate).

Frost Tolerance

Is Chamaerops humilis – European Fan Palm frost tolerant?

Chamaerops humilis – European Fan Palm is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Flowering Information

Chamaerops humilis produces small, bright yellow clusters of flowers in spring, emerging at the base of the fronds. While not showy, these blooms add a subtle seasonal highlight and are followed by small ornamental fruit that ripen through summer.

Native Information

Is Chamaerops humilis – European Fan Palm an Australian Native? No

Chamaerops humilis – European Fan Palm is Native to The western Mediterranean region, including Spain, Portugal, Italy, and North Africa, where it grows naturally on rocky hillsides and coastal scrub.

Wildlife Value

Its flowers attract bees and beneficial insects, while the dense fan-shaped fronds offer shelter for small birds and ground-dwelling wildlife. The fruit also provides a minor food source for birds, contributing to biodiversity in Mediterranean-style and coastal gardens.

Sunlight Information

Chamaerops humilis – European Fan Palm will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preffered Soil

Chamaerops humilis performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It is highly sensitive to waterlogging and may struggle in heavy clay unless significantly improved with organic matter and coarse material to boost drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the palm matures and develops exceptional drought resilience.

Botanical Information

Common Name: European Fan Palm

Genus: Chamaerops

Botanical Species: Chamaerops humilis

Family: Arecaceae

Botanical Name: Chamaerops humilis

Landscape Uses

Feature Tree

Chamaerops humilis – European Fan Palm works in an:

Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.
Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Planting, Spacing & Care

Choose a full sun to part shade position with good airflow.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper.
Plant with the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil.
Backfill with native soil and water in thoroughly.
Mulch around the base to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture, keeping mulch away from the trunk.

Feature Planting: Space 1.5 – 2.5 m apart
Shade Canopy: Space 2.5 – 3.5 m apart
Avenue Planting: Space 2 – 3 m apart for rhythmic formality in compact designs

Water regularly during the first 12–18 months to establish roots.
Remove old fronds as needed — the palm is largely self-cleaning.
Fertilise once annually in spring with a slow-release fertiliser suitable for palms.

Performs best in free-draining loamy soils with moderate moisture and good airflow.
Grows well in sandy or coastal soils, especially when mulched to retain moisture during dry periods.
Will tolerate light clay soils if drainage is improved by planting on a mound or addin

Chamaerops humilis – European Fan Palm is expected to grow 15 – 30 cm per year (slow to moderate).

Medium Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Ideal Conditions

Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal
Adelaide Hills & Barossa

Thrives in

Full Sun
Part Shade

Frost Tolerance

Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Drought Tolerance

As a young palm it requires regular watering, but once established Chamaerops humilis develops outstanding drought tolerance. It thrives in hot, dry, windy and coastal conditions and maintains its compact, multi-stemmed form with minimal supplementary watering.

Flowering Information

Does Chamaerops humilis – European Fan Palm flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Clustered

Flower Colour:

Yellow

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can the European Fan Palm be grown in pots?
A: Yes, it’s ideal for large pots and containers, especially in courtyards and balconies with good sunlight.

Q: Is this palm frost-tolerant?
A: Yes, once established it can tolerate moderate frost and is one of the hardiest small palms.

Q: Does it need regular pruning?
A: No, it’s a low-maintenance palm. Simply remove dead fronds occasionally for tidiness.

Q: How tall does it grow?
A: Typically 2–4 metres high and wide, forming a clump of multiple trunks with fan-shaped fronds.