Trachycarpus Fortunei

Hardy Trachycarpus Fortunei palm

The Trachycarpus Fortunei is the hardy palm for our north-west European climate. It feels right at home in the garden, on the terrace or on the balcony. This Chinese windmill palm brings an instant exotic feel without you having to worry about cold or frost. The large, fan-shaped leaves, the slender trunk and the strong silhouette make this outdoor plant a real eye-catcher. And the best part? This palm stays green and elegant right through the winter as well.

Why choose a Trachycarpus Fortunei?

The Trachycarpus Fortunei is popular because it's strong, versatile and low-maintenance. Here are the main benefits at a glance:

• Hardy down to around -15 degrees Celsius
• Suitable for open ground and for pots
• Relatively fast growing compared with other palms
• Low-maintenance and easy to care for
• Elegant and green all year round

Is the Trachycarpus Fortunei hardy?

The Trachycarpus Fortunei is one of the hardiest palms you can buy. This palm copes easily with temperatures down to around -15 degrees Celsius. In severe frost or long spells of cold, extra protection such as a winter cover or fleece is worth using.

How big does a windmill palm get?

A Trachycarpus Fortunei can eventually reach 3 to 5 metres tall, depending on where it stands and how it's cared for. The height at the point of purchase varies a great deal. There are compact specimens of around 100 cm, but also larger palms of 180 cm and even mega palms from 250 cm. So there's always a size to suit your garden, terrace or balcony.

Where does the Trachycarpus Fortunei come from?

The Trachycarpus Fortunei originally comes from the mountainous regions of Central and East Asia, such as China, Nepal and northern India. In these areas the palm grows at higher altitudes where the climate is cooler. That explains why this Chinese windmill palm stands up so well to low temperatures and adapts so easily to the European climate.

Caring for the Trachycarpus Fortunei

The Trachycarpus Fortunei is an easy palm to look after, which makes it suitable for beginners and experienced plant lovers alike. A few basics matter for healthy growth:

• Give the palm a sunny to bright position
• Make sure the soil is well-drained
• Water regularly, but avoid wet feet
• Always use drainage holes in pots
• Feed lightly during the growing season with outdoor plant food

For detailed care tips, have a look at our dedicated care page for the Trachycarpus Fortunei.

What to do about discoloured leaves?

Discoloured leaves on the Trachycarpus Fortunei are often simply part of a natural process. Old leaves at the bottom die off while new ones grow at the top. Always check your watering and drainage as well. Leaves that have gone completely brown or withered are best removed with clean secateurs, cutting as close to the trunk as you can.

Diseases and pests on the Chinese windmill palm

The Trachycarpus Fortunei is a strong plant on the whole, but it can occasionally pick up mealybug. Check the leaves regularly, especially the undersides. If it is affected, you can use a biological pest control product or a mild soap solution. You'll find more about this in our blog about mealybug.

Shop your Trachycarpus Fortunei at Green Bubble

At Green Bubble you order your top-quality Trachycarpus Fortunei straight from our own greenhouse. You can choose from several sizes, so there's always a palm that fits your garden, terrace or balcony perfectly. Every plant is fresh, carefully selected and delivered safely to your door.

Going for an XL palm? Then make use of our unique Personal Plantshopper, which lets you pick your own palm live from the greenhouse via WhatsApp.

Order your Trachycarpus Fortunei today and give your outdoor space an exotic upgrade!