How to grow and care for Trachycarpus fortunei
All you need to know about growing and caring for the chusan palm, Trachycarpus fortunei
Trachycarpus fortunei (Chusan palm, windmill palm or Nepalese fan palm) is an evergreen palm tree with fan-shaped, dark green leaves. Mature plants may bear clusters of yellow flowers in summer, with female trees developing blue-black fruits.
A reasonably hardy palm with an exotic look, Trachycarpus fortunei is ideal for using in jungle planting schemes and urban gardens, including courtyard and roof-top gardens. It can also be planted in a pot.
How to grow Trachycarpus fortunei
Grow Trachycarpus fortunei in moist but well-drained, fertile soil in full sun to dappled shade. Choose a sheltered spot out of prevailing winds, which can damage the leaves. Trachycarpus fortunei is frost hardy but may need winter protection in prolonged periods of cold weather – simply wrap the plant with hessian or horticultural fleece and mulch around the base with straw. Potted plants can be moved indoors.
Trachycarpus fortunei needs very little care, beyond removing the lower leaves as they turn brown. It's drought tolerant when established and is rarely affected by pests or diseases. It holds the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Where to grow Trachycarpus fortunei
Trachycarpus fortunei does well in tropical/jungle planting schemes and urban gardens. It's very tolerant of pollution and can therefore be grown in city centres. However its leaves can be scorched by sun and torn by wind so choose a partially shaded location with shelter from prevailing winds. Trachycarpus fortunei can grow to an eventual height of 15m so give it plenty of room to grow.
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How to plant Trachycarpus fortunei
Plant Trachycarpus fortuneias you would any other plant, ensuring it sits at the same level it was in the pot you bought it in. Dig a square hole and enrich it with home-made garden compost. Place the rootball in the hole and when you're happy with its position, backfill with soil and firm around the rootball with your foot. Water well.
Trachycarpus fortunei care
Trachycarpus fortunei needs very little care once established. Water in dry periods and cut back the lower fronds as they turn brown.
Growing Trachycarpus fortunei: pests and diseases
Trachycarpus fortunei suffers no pests and diseases.
Advice on buying Trachycarpus fortunei
- Think carefully about where you will grow it before you buy – it does best in partial shade and needs shelter from wind, and can grow to 20m tall after 20 years
- You may find Trachycarpus fortunei at the garden centre but you'll have more options online and at specialist nurseries
Where to buy Trachycarpus fortunei
Frequently asked questions
How do you control the height of a palm tree?
The growing point of a palm tree is at the top, which means there's no way to prune a palm tree without killing it. The only way to control a palm tree’s height is to grow it in a pot, which will restrict its roots. The other option would be to choose a dwarf palm tree or a slow-growing palm such as Chamaerops humilis.
Help! My palm trees are dying!
The death of a mature palm could be down to the weather – a hot, dry summer followed by a wet, cold winter will stress the plant. Water can collect inside a palm's crown and freeze, killing the plant. It’s important to protect palm trees from frost and freezing temperatures by stuffing the crown with straw, then wrapping the top of the trunk with horticultural fleece.
Cold damage may only be noticeable in the spring when new fronds appear – look out for changes in colour in the foliage or spears that come away easily when pulled. This could indicate rot.
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