Chinese Fan Palm / Fountain Palm

Livistona chinensis

Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade. It can grow in full sun once established, but younger palms often benefit from some protection from harsh afternoon sun.

Height: Typically 20–30 ft. tall in Florida landscapes, though older specimens can grow taller over time.

Growth Habit: Slow to moderate-growing fan palm with a single trunk and large, glossy, fan-shaped fronds. The leaf tips droop downward, giving the canopy a soft, fountain-like appearance.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 9–11; moderately cold hardy and can tolerate brief cold snaps, though hard freezes may damage foliage; moderately drought tolerant once established; moderate salt tolerance, but best protected from heavy direct salt spray.

Maintenance Info: Low to moderate maintenance. Remove dead fronds as needed and use palm fertilizer during the growing season to prevent nutrient deficiencies. Give it enough space for the wide fan-shaped canopy to spread, and avoid planting too close to walkways or structures.

Best Uses in the Landscape: Good as a specimen palm, entryway accent, large foundation planting, courtyard palm, pool-area accent, commercial landscape palm, or tropical garden feature. Its bold fan-shaped leaves make it useful where a strong architectural palm is desired.

Plant Info: Chinese Fan Palm is native to southern China, Taiwan, and nearby islands. It is also called Fountain Palm because the large fan leaves arch and droop at the tips, creating a fountain-like shape. It is a popular Florida landscape palm because it offers a tropical look, handles a range of conditions, and develops a clean, upright trunk as it matures.