Chamaerops, dwarf palm: planting, growing and care

Description and botany

Chamaerops humilis is a small clumping palm, valued for its fan-shaped foliage and silhouette that adds an exotic, transportive touch to gardens. Also called Dwarf palm or Doum palm, it is one of the most commonly grown palms in gardens. Unlike most other palms planted on the Côte d’Azur, it is native to Europe, occurring around the Mediterranean: southern France, Italy, Spain, Algeria, Morocco… It grows on fairly dry, sandy or rocky soils. It is sometimes found at altitude (occasionally above 1,000 metres), which explains its good hardiness, since it tolerates down to -12 °C.

Chamaerops belongs to family Arecaceae, which comprises palms. Although there are more than 2,500 palm species, Chamaerops humilis is the only species in genus Chamaerops. Previously, several other palms belonged to this genus, but have since been renamed Trachycarpus, as with Chamaerops excelsa, now Trachycarpus fortunei. In fact, Chamaerops humilis resembles it somewhat.

Unlike most palms, which have a single straight, upright trunk, Chamaerops is a small clumping palm, cespitose. It produces suckers and thus forms several trunks. It is a slow-growing palm. It does not grow very tall. Reaching up to 3.5 metres in height at most, it can be grown in a pot and fits easily into a small garden.

Chamaerops humilis: botanical illustration

Like other palms, Chamaerops is not a tree. Indeed, it is not ramified and does not form wood. What is considered a trunk is not really one, but rather a stipe, resulting from accumulation of old petiole bases (the base of the “stems” bearing leaves). Its stipe is fibrous, brown, and bears the bases of old petioles. At its crown a rosette of leaves unfolds.

Leaves of Chamaerops are palmate (unlike other palms, such as Phoenix or Butia, which have pinnate leaves). They consist of 12 to 15 narrow, elongated segments that radiate from the centre, giving a fan shape. These “leaflets” are fused at the base, all arising from the same point, then separate and end in points. They give the frond a sharp appearance. Leaflets are plicate, like a fan, which adds some texture.

Chamaerops bears large, impressive fronds that add a strong exotic flavour. They measure between 60 and 90 cm in diameter. As with other palms, they are thick, coriaceous and fairly stiff. Leaves are attached to the stipe by a thick petiole, which bears numerous thorns! Generally leaves are green above and whitish beneath. They can also be silvery-blue, as in Chamaerops humilis ‘Cerifera’. Foliage is evergreen and remains attractive in winter.

Chamaerops has numerous fine, long, fasciculate roots. They penetrate deep into soil to draw water and help the palm resist drought.

A Chamaerops humilis leaf (photo JMK) / thorns on petioles (photo Forest & Kim Starr) / a leaf of Chamaerops humilis ‘Cerifera’, blue-grey in colour

Chamaerops flowers in late spring, generally around June or July. It then bears inflorescences in the form of yellow panicles, 30 to 40 cm long, which appear near the stipe, in leaf axils. Flowers are tiny but borne in large numbers in fairly dense clusters. They are composed of three petals. Male flowers bear stamens, while female flowers have three carpels.

Chamaerops is generally dioecious: there are male plants, with only male flowers, and female plants (with only female flowers). There are also monoecious Chamaerops, which bear both male organs (stamens) and female organs (pistil) on the same plant.

After flowering, Chamaerops produces fruits, fleshy ovoid drupes up to 4–5 cm long, orange or red when ripe. They are numerous and gathered in clusters. They are unfortunately not edible.

Flowering of Chamaerops humilis (photo David J. Stang), followed by fruits (photo Angelofer)

Main varieties of Chamaerops

Most popular varieties:

Our favourite varieties:

Chamaerops humilis - Dwarf Palm

This is the type species, Chamaerops as found in the wild. It bears green palmate leaves that unfold atop the fibrous brown stipe. It also produces yellow inflorescences in panicles that appear in late spring.

• Flowering time July, August
• Height at maturity 3,50 m

See the full description

Chamaerops humilis Compacta - Dwarf Fan Palm

This variety has been selected for its compact form. It adapts easily to container growing. It has attractive green palmate leaves. Ideal for bringing an exotic touch to a terrace or an inner courtyard, for example in a town garden.

• Flowering time July, August
• Height at maturity 2,50 m

See the full description

Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera - Dwarf Fan Palm

This Chamaerops stands out for its superb silver-blue fronds, making it very distinctive! It will easily find its place in a modern, graphic garden.

• Flowering time July, August
• Height at maturity 3 m

See the full description

Chamaerops humilis Vulcano - Dwarf Fan Palm

Chamaerops ‘Vulcano’ is a small palm with a more compact habit than the type species, well suited to small gardens and container growing. It forms stipes topped by handsome green fronds. It is also a little hardier than other varieties.

• Flowering time July, August
• Height at maturity 2,50 m

See the full description

Planting Chamaerops

Where to plant?

Like most palms, Chamaerops needs warmth and light! Plant it in a sunny spot. Shelter it from strong winds.

Grow Chamaerops in a well-draining substrate. It dislikes stagnant moisture, especially in winter, and does well in sandy, free-draining soils, although it does appreciate cool soil. If substrate drains well, Chamaerops will be more cold-hardy. If ground tends to retain water, improve drainage by adding coarse sand or gravel, or plant on a mound. Chamaerops tolerates poor soils, though it becomes more attractive and larger, more luxuriant, in fertile soil.

Chamaerops tolerate sea spray very well, so they can be planted in a coastal garden.

As this is a fairly easy, compact palm, it can be grown in a large container, for example on a patio. We recommend the variety Chamaerops humilis ‘Compacta’.

Choose location for your Chamaerops carefully: once planted, it does not like being moved.

When to plant?

We recommend planting your Chamaerops in spring, around May, as this is the best time for it to establish in the garden. It will benefit from mild, warm temperatures before facing winter. It will have time to establish and develop its root system to better withstand the cold of the following winter.

How to plant?

For planting in open ground:

1. Choose a sunny spot with enough space, then dig a large planting hole, two to three times size of the rootball.
2. Place a well-draining substrate (for example a mix of soil and coarse sand). If ground tends to retain water, it is important to improve drainage by adding coarse sand or gravel, or by planting on a mound so water can run away quickly.
3. Remove palm from its pot then plant it.
4. Refill substrate all around. Avoid burying base of stipe.
5. Water generously.
6. You can make a watering basin, or apply mulch around the palm so soil remains cool.

For planting in a pot:

1. Choose a large, deep container
2. Install a drainage layer at bottom (clay balls, broken pottery shards…).
3. Place a well-draining substrate in container.
4. Plant your palm.
5. Refill soil around it, avoiding burying its collar.
6. Water generously.

Chamaerops humilis (photo Christophe Finot)

Caring for the dwarf palm

Chamaerops needs regular watering during its first year, and thereafter during periods of prolonged drought. Note that, over time, this palm becomes more drought-tolerant.

Chamaerops humilis tolerates cold fairly well. However, if you live in a region with a cool climate, for example in the mountains, we recommend protecting it for winter. Bring it under cover if grown in a pot, placing it in a sunny spot; if planted in the ground, fit a winter fleece.

In spring and summer, you can cut off old fronds that have dried.

Although Chamaerops can grow in fairly poor soil, it’s best to add compost in autumn to enrich the soil and feed your palm.

If grown in a pot, you can give it some liquid feed in spring and summer. Also remember to repot from time to time. Do this in spring, on average every two years, each time choosing a pot slightly larger than the previous one. This renews the potting compost and gives it a little more room to grow. If you don’t repot, at least top-dress, renewing the top layer of compost.

When tending your Chamaerops, take care not to injure yourself on thorns present on the petiole.

Diseases and pests of Chamaerops

Two main pests cause problems for palms. Palm moth (Paysandisia archon), native to South America, has caterpillars that bore into the palm trunk and feed on it. This damages the leaves, which become perforated, sometimes deformed, and tend to yellow and dry out. To control this pest, a treatment using nematodes is usually employed.

→ read about it here: “The palm moth, Paysandisia archon: control and treatment”

Red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, also threatens palms. This parasitic pest originates from Southeast Asia (Indonesia, India…). The larvae feed on the trunk and leaves, creating tunnels. Attacked palms may lose their leaves and die. These parasitic pests pose a real danger to palms, and if you notice their presence it is important to intervene to eliminate them. Control of the red palm weevil is even obligatory, and its presence must be reported to the town hall. Finally, when Chamaerops is grown under cover, it can be attacked by red spider mites. In that case, you can mist the foliage, as they dislike humidity.

Propagation: sow Chamaerops seeds

Chamaerops is propagated by sowing, but bear in mind this operation takes time. Sow seeds preferably in spring, or possibly in summer.

1. Start by placing seeds in a glass filled with warm water for at least 24 hours.
2. Prepare a pot with a mix of potting compost and sand.
3. Sow seeds.
4. Cover with a layer of substrate.
5. Water gently.
6. Place pots in a bright location at a temperature between 22 and 25 °C.
7. Ensure substrate remains slightly moist.

Then, be patient! Seeds can take up to three or four months to germinate. After that, you can pot on young plants into individual pots.

It is also possible to multiply Chamaerops by separating suckers when they are still young. Ideally find a young sucker about 20 cm long, remove it in spring and pot it up.

Uses and companion plants

Enjoy Chamaerops to recreate an exotic, lush atmosphere! It will pair nicely with the flowering of Crocosmias, Eucomis or Cannas… Also discover the original flowering of Hedychium, forming flower spikes in warm colours, usually yellow or orange. For a truly exotic, out-of-the-ordinary garden, it is ideal to place these plants near a pond. Choose some plants with luxuriant foliage to accompany these flowerings, such as Gunnera, banana plants or arborescent ferns. You can also plant Cordylines, Phormiums and Carex… Not forgetting the Yucca, a shrubby succulent plant whose elegant silhouette is reminiscent of palms.

Chamaerops humilis (photo H. Zell), Yucca aloifolia (photo Stan Shebs), Tetrapanax papyrifera ‘Rex’, and Hedychium gardnerianum (photo Forest and Kim Starr)

Chamaerops will also allow you to compose a beautiful Mediterranean scene. For this, the ideal is to plant it with lavender, Jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa), Santolina, and Euphorbias. We also recommend favouring succulent plants with fleshy tissues, such as Sedums and Opuntias. Moreover, most of these plants are easy to grow, need little maintenance and do not require watering. Likewise, feel free to position your Chamaerops at the back of a rockery or rock garden. Create a raised mound in full sun, place large stones and a well-draining substrate. Plant Eryngium, Echiums, and red valerian (Centranthus ruber). To add verticality and graphic interest, include Verbascums, or mulleins, which generally offer attractive grey, downy foliage and very upright yellow flower spikes.

Opuntia microdasys (photo Stan Shebs), Centranthus ruber (photo CaptainMish), Chamaerops humilis, Phlomis fruticosa, and Agave americana (photo Moreau Henri)

Finally, with its majestic architecture and fan-shaped fronds, Chamaerops can easily be integrated into a modern, graphic garden. In this case, we recommend the variety Chamaerops humilis ‘Cerifera’, which bears silvery-blue foliage. You can place it near other plants in seemingly timeless shades (purple, white, black, silver, blue-toned, burgundy…). Choose, for example, Stachys lanata, Allium ‘Mount Everest’, Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’, Echinops, Echinacea ‘Purity’, or Agapanthus africanus ‘Albus’… You will be sure to achieve a chic, elegant garden!