About
Chamaerops humilis 'Vulcano' is a compact, multi-stemmed palm that typically reaches a height of about 2 meters. Its stems are wrapped in persistent leaf bases, and it produces spiny stalks that support stiff, broad leaves divided into distinct leaflets. The upper surface of the foliage is a bluish or greyish green, while the underside displays a silvery hue. Blooming occurs from spring through summer, with male flowers presenting a bright yellow color and female flowers appearing yellow-green. After flowering, the plant yields fruit that ranges from yellow to orange-brown.
About the genus
Chamaerops comprises a solitary species of evergreen palm featuring multiple upright stems topped with broad, rounded leaves that are intricately divided into long segments. Its flowers, which are not particularly prominent, emerge in panicles from the lower leaf axils and are succeeded by small, date-shaped fruits.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Palms
- Habit
- Suckering
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in a cool glasshouse or as a houseplant in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full bright indirect light - for more advice, see palm cultivation indoors; outside grow in well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade; will tolerate poor, dry soil - for more advice, see palm cultivation outdoors
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown at 22°C or more in spring, or by division, by separating suckers from established plants in late spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, thrips and scale insects
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)