About
Livistona chinensis, the Chinese fan palm, is a single-stemmed, evergreen palm reaching 12 m, with long-stalked, fan-shaped leaves to 2 m long composed of drooping, linear segments. Panicles of cream flowers are produced in summer, followed by glossy, blue-green or pinkish fruits. A dramatic and architectural specimen palm for a frost-free, sunny, sheltered garden.
About the genus
Livistona are single-stemmed, evergreen palms with long-stalked, fan-shaped leaves and small, cream or pale-yellow flowers borne in panicles among the leaves. Grown as specimen palms in frost-free, sunny, sheltered gardens.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typePalms
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height8-12 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Sub-tropical, Patio and container plants
Native toS China to Vietnam, Temp. E Asia
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass or in containers for summering outdoors, grow in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full or bright indirect light. Water freely in the growing season and more sparingly in the winter. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser once a month during the growing period.
PruningPruning is generally unnecessary
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in containers at 23C (73F) in the spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and scale insect
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free