Windmill Palm

Trachycarpus fortunei

Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade; often looks best with some afternoon shade in hot Florida landscapes.

Height: Commonly 10–20 ft. in landscapes, with older specimens capable of reaching 20–40 ft. in ideal conditions.

Growth Habit: Slow-growing, single-trunk fan palm with a narrow, upright trunk wrapped in coarse brown fibers and a rounded crown of stiff, fan-shaped fronds.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 8A–11; one of the most cold-hardy trunking palms and can tolerate temperatures around 10°F once established; moderately drought tolerant once established but performs best with regular watering in full sun; salt tolerance is usually considered moderate, though it is better protected from direct oceanfront salt spray.

Plant Info: Windmill Palm, also called Chusan Palm, is native to parts of central and eastern Asia, especially China. It is popular because it gives a tropical look in areas that are too cold for many other palms. Its “windmill” name comes from the circular fan shape of the fronds, and the shaggy trunk gives it a distinctive texture in the landscape. It works well near entryways, courtyards, pool areas, patios, and as a specimen palm in smaller landscapes.