<em>Chamaerops</em>, dwarf palm: to plant, to grow and to care for

Description and botany

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

Chamaerops belongs to family Arecaceae, which groups palms. Although more than 2,500 palm species exist, Chamaerops humilis is only species of genus Chamaerops. Several other palms were formerly included in this genus but have since been renamed Trachycarpus, for example Chamaerops excelsa, now Trachycarpus fortunei. In fact, Chamaerops humilis bears some resemblance to it.

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

Chamaerops humilis: botanical illustration

As with other palms, Chamaerops is not a tree. Indeed, it is not ramified and does not form wood. What appears to be a trunk is not really one but a stipe resulting from accumulation of old petiole bases (the base of “stems” bearing leaves). Stipe is fibrous, brown, and bears bases of old petioles. At its top spreads a crown of leaves.

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 centre, giving fan shape. These leaflets are fused at base, all arising from same point, then separate and end in points, giving frond a sharp aspect. Leaflets are plicate, like a fan, which adds texture.

Chamaerops has large, impressive fronds that bring strong exotic character. They measure between 60 and 90 cm in diameter. As in other palms, they are thick, leathery and fairly stiff. Leaves attach to stipe by thick petiole that 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 that penetrate deeply into soil to draw water and help palm resist drought.

A Chamaerops humilis leaf (photo JMK) / thorns present 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 form of yellow panicles, 30 to 40 cm long, that appear near stipe, in axil of leaves. Flowers are tiny but borne in large numbers, in fairly dense arrangement. They consist of three petals. Male flowers bear stamens, while female flowers have three carpels.

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

After flowering, Chamaerops produces fruits, fleshy drupes of ovoid shape, 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

This is the type species, Chamaerops as found in the wild. It bears green palmate leaves that unfold atop a 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 product sheet

Chamaerops humilis Compacta - Dwarf Fan Palm

This variety was selected for its compact habit. It adapts easily to container cultivation. It has beautiful green palmate leaves. It is ideal for adding an exotic touch to a terrace or an inner courtyard, for example in an urban garden.

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

See the product sheet

Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera - Dwarf Fan Palm

This Chamaerops stands out for its 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 habit more compact than the type species, well suited to small gardens and container cultivation. It forms stipes topped with handsome green fronds. It is also somewhat hardier than other varieties.

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

See the product sheet

Planting Chamaerops

Where to plant?

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

Grow Chamaerops in a draining substrate. It dislikes stagnant water, especially in winter, and does well in sandy, free-draining ground, although it nevertheless appreciates cool soils. 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, although it becomes more attractive, larger and more luxuriant in fertile soil.

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

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

Choose position for your Chamaerops carefully: once planted, it does not like to be moved.

When to plant?

We recommend planting your Chamaerops in spring, around May, as this is the best time for establishing it in the garden. This way it will benefit from mild to 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 the size of the root ball.
2. Place a draining substrate in the hole (for example a mix of soil and coarse sand). If ground tends to retain water, it is important to improve drainage, for example by adding coarse sand or gravel, or by planting on a mound so water can run off quickly.
3. Remove palm from its pot then plant it.
4. Replace substrate all around. Avoid burying base of stipe.
5. Water generously.
6. You can create a watering basin, or apply mulch around palm, so soil stays cool.

For planting in a pot:

1. Choose a large, deep container
2. Install a drainage layer at the bottom (clay pebbles, pot shards…).
3. Place a draining substrate in the container.
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 waterings during first year, and thereafter in case of prolonged drought. Note that, over time, this palm becomes more drought‑resistant.

Chamaerops humilis is fairly cold‑hardy. However, if you live in an area with a cool climate, for example in mountains, we recommend protecting it for winter. Bring indoors if grown in a pot, placing it in a sunny spot; if planted in ground, cover with a winter fleece.

In spring and summer, prune off old fronds that have dried.

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

If grown in a pot, apply 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 previous one. This renews potting compost and gives it more room to grow. If you do not repot, at least perform top‑dressing by renewing surface potting compost.

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

Diseases and pests of Chamaerops

There are two main pests that cause problems for palms. Palm moth (Paysandisia archon), which originates from South America; its caterpillars bore into the palm’s stipe and feed on it. This damages the leaves, which become perforated, sometimes deformed, and tend to yellow and dry out. To combat this pest, a nematode treatment is usually used.

→ read on the subject: “The palm moth, Paysandisia archon: control and treatment”

Red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, also threatens palms. This parasitic species originates from Southeast Asia (Indonesia, India…). The larvae feed on the stipe and leaves, tunnelling galleries into them. Attacked palms may lose their leaves and die. These pests pose a real danger to palms, and if you spot them it is important to intervene to eradicate them. Control of the red palm weevil is even obligatory, and its presence must be reported to the local council. 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 alternatively 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 the 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 pot on young plants into individual pots.

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

Uses and companion plants

Use Chamaerops to recreate an exotic, lush atmosphere! It pairs beautifully with flowering Crocosmias, Eucomis or Cannas… Also discover the unusual flowering of Hedychium, which forms flower spikes in warm colours, usually yellow or orange. For a truly exotic garden, place these plants near a pond. To accompany these flowerings choose a few plants with lush foliage, 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 allow you to compose a beautiful Mediterranean scene. For this, 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, require little maintenance and do not need watering. Likewise, don’t hesitate to position your Chamaerops at back of a rockery or mineral garden. Create a raised mound in full sun where you place large stones and a free-draining substrate. Plant Eryngium, Echiums and Valerian (Centranthus ruber) there. To add verticality and graphic interest, 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 be incorporated into a modern, graphic garden. In this case we recommend variety Chamaerops humilis ‘Cerifera’, which bears silver-blue foliage. Place it near other plants in 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 be sure to achieve a chic, elegant garden!