<em>Chamaerops</em>, dwarf palm: planting, growing and care

Description and botany

Chamaerops humilis is a small clumping palm, prized for its fan-shaped foliage and silhouette that bring an exotic, change-of-scene effect to the garden. Also called dwarf palm or doum palm, it is one of the most commonly cultivated palms in gardens. Unlike most other palms planted on the Côte d’Azur, it occurs naturally in Europe, around the Mediterranean: southern France, Italy, Spain, Algeria, Morocco… It grows on rather dry, sandy or rocky soils. It is sometimes found at altitude (sometimes above 1,000 metres), which explains its good hardiness, since it tolerates down to -12 °C.

Chamaerops belongs to family Arecaceae, which groups the palms. Although there are more than 2,500 palm species, Chamaerops humilis is the only species of genus Chamaerops. In the past several other palms were placed in this genus, but they have since been renamed Trachycarpus, as with Chamaerops excelsa, now Trachycarpus fortunei. Incidentally, Chamaerops humilis somewhat resembles that species.

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

Chamaerops humilis: botanical illustration

As with other palms, Chamaerops is not a tree. Moreover, 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 the leaves). Its stipe is fibrous, brown, and bears the bases of former petioles. At its summit a crown of leaves unfolds.

Chamaerops leaves 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 around the centre, giving a fan-shaped appearance. These leaflets are fused at the base, all arising from the same point, then separate and end in points, giving the frond a sharp effect. The leaflets are plicate, like a fan, which adds some relief.

Chamaerops bears large, impressive fronds that add much exoticism. They measure between 60 and 90 cm in diameter. As with other palms, they are thick, leathery 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 decorative in winter.

Chamaerops has many fine, long, fasciculate roots. They penetrate deeply into the soil to draw up water and enable the palm to withstand drought.

A leaf of Chamaerops humilis (photo JMK) / thorns present on the 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, 30–40 cm long, which appear near the stipe, in the axils of the leaves. Flowers are tiny but gathered in large numbers, fairly densely. They consist 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 that bear both male (stamens) and female (pistil) organs on the same plant.

After flowering, Chamaerops produces fruits, fleshy ovoid drupes up to 4–5 cm long, orange or red at ripeness. They are numerous and borne 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

It is the type species, Chamaerops as found in nature. It bears palmate green leaves that emerge at the top of the fibrous, brown stipe. It also produces yellow inflorescences in panicles, appearing in late spring.

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

See the product sheet

Chamaerops humilis Compacta - Dwarf Fan Palm

This variety was selected for its compact habit. It adapts easily to container culture. It has attractive palmate green leaves. Ideal for adding an exotic touch to a terrace or inner courtyard, for example in a town garden.

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

See the product sheet

Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera - Dwarf Fan Palm

This Chamaerops is distinguished by superb silvery-blue fronds, making it very distinctive! It will easily find a place in a modern, graphic-style garden.

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

See the product sheet

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 culture. It forms stipes topped by handsome green fronds. It is also slightly hardier than other varieties.

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

See the product sheet

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, even though it nevertheless appreciates cool soil. If substrate is well-draining, Chamaerops will be more cold-hardy. If your ground tends to retain water, improve drainage by adding coarse sand or gravel, or plant on a raised mound. Chamaerops tolerates poor soil, although it becomes more attractive and larger, more luxuriant, in fertile soil.

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

As this is a fairly easy and compact palm, it can be grown in a large container, which you can place for example on a terrace. We recommend choosing variety Chamaerops humilis ‘Compacta’.

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

When to plant?

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

How to plant?

For planting in the ground:

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

For container planting:

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

Chamaerops humilis (photo Christophe Finot)

Dwarf palm care

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

Chamaerops humilis is fairly cold-hardy. 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, cut off old fronds that have dried out.

Although Chamaerops can grow in fairly poor soils, it is preferable in autumn to add compost to enrich the soil and feed your palm.

If you grow it in a pot, you can give it a little liquid fertiliser 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 bit more room to grow. If you do not repot, at least carry out top-dressings by renewing the surface potting compost.

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

Diseases and pests of Chamaerops

There are two main pests that cause problems with palms. Palm moth (Paysandisia archon), originating from South America, whose caterpillars bore into palm stipe and consume it. This damages leaves, which become perforated, sometimes deformed, and tend to yellow and dry out. To control this pest, a treatment based on nematodes is usually used.

→ read about this topic: “The palm moth, Paysandisia archon: control and treatment”

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

Propagation: sowing 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 mixture of potting compost and sand.
3. Sow seeds.
4. Cover with a layer of substrate.
5. Water gently.
6. Place pots in a bright spot 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 transplant young plants into individual pots.

It is also possible to propagate Chamaerops by separating suckers while they are still young. Ideally find a young sucker about 20 cm long, lift it (in spring) and plant it in a pot.

Uses and companion plants

Use Chamaerops to recreate an exotic, lush atmosphere! It pairs beautifully with the flowering of Crocosmias, Eucomis or Cannas… Also discover the distinctive flowering of Hedychium, forming flower spikes in warm colours, usually yellow or orange. For a garden that feels truly exotic, ideally site these plants near a pond. Choose a few plants with lush foliage to accompany these flowerings, such as Gunnera, Banana plants or arborescent ferns. You can also plant Cordylines, Phormiums and Carex… Not forgetting Yucca, a shrubby succulent plant whose elegant silhouette recalls that 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 help create a beautiful Mediterranean scene. For this, best 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, require little maintenance and do not need watering. Likewise, do not hesitate to site your Chamaerops at the back of a rockery or rock garden. Create a raised mound in full sun, where you will place large stones and a free-draining substrate. Plant Eryngium, Echiums and red valerian (Centranthus ruber) there. To add verticality and graphic structure, include Verbascums, or mulleins, which generally offer attractive grey, downy foliage and very upright yellow flower stems.

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 fit into a modern, graphic garden. In that case, we recommend the variety Chamaerops humilis ‘Cerifera’, which bears silvery-blue foliage. Plant it near other species with seemingly timeless hues (purple, white, black, silver, bluish, burgundy…). Choose, for example, Stachys lanata, Allium ‘Mount Everest’, Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’, Echinops, Echinacea ‘Purity’ or Agapanthus africanus ‘Albus’… You will undoubtedly achieve a chic, elegant garden!