Chinese Fan Palm

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

30-50 Feet

Mature Spread

10-12 Feet

Growing Zones

9 to 11

Chinese Fan Palm brings resort-level calm to courtyards, pool decks, and bright living rooms. Broad, pleated fans flare from a tidy trunk, adding instant architecture and soft motion to the scene. Slow-growing and container ready, it’s as happy on a patio as it is in the ground.

Use it to frame an entry, punctuate a seating area, or cluster two or three for a layered, tropical backdrop. Even off-season, the airy canopy reads lush and intentional.

Chinese Fan Palm Care

Outdoors, give full sun to partial shade (4–8 hours); in very hot climates, offer afternoon protection while young. Indoors, place in bright, indirect light 3–6 feet from an east or west window. Plant in sharply drained sandy or loamy soil, pH 6.0–7.5; use a coarse palm mix in containers. Water deeply, then let the top 1–2 inches dry before the next soak.

Expect weekly watering in summer outdoors and every 10–14 days indoors; adjust to temperature, pot size, and light. Mulch 2–3 inches, keeping mulch off the trunk. Feed spring through early fall with a slow-release palm fertilizer that includes magnesium and manganese, 2–3 times per season. Prune only spent or damaged fronds—avoid removing healthy green leaves. Hardy in USDA Zones 9–11; if potted, overwinter above 45–50°F. Watch for scale, spider mites, and mealybugs and treat promptly if seen.

Chinese Fan Palm Spacing

For a specimen, allow 10–12 ft of horizontal clearance and 18–25 ft of overhead space. For groupings, set plants 7–9 ft on center so crowns can fan without crowding. Keep 3–4 ft from paths, driveways, pools, or walls for safe frond clearance. In containers, start with a 15–20 in diameter pot (7–10 gal) and step up to 22–26 in (15–25 gal) as the palm matures. Choose a heavy, stable container with large drainage holes and position 2–3 ft from walls to let fronds spread. Shelter young plants from strong, drying winds; staking is rarely necessary.

Why Grow Chinese Fan Palm?

• Versatile indoors or out, staying manageable in containers yet striking in the landscape
• Fan-shaped fronds that arc and sway, adding bold texture and gentle movement
• Low-touch once established; tolerates brief drought and wind with good drainage
• Slow to moderate growth for long-term patio use without constant repotting
• Handles a range of soils and responds well to palm-formula nutrition

Petiole edges can be lightly toothed; wear gloves when pruning and site away from narrow walkways.

Bring home Chinese Fan Palm to cast cool, tropical vibes year-round. It’s a sculptural, easygoing centerpiece that makes any space feel curated and lush.

SKU:

TRO-PAL-CHF-LGL