The Chinese Fan Palm (Livistona chinensis) is one of the subtropical evergreen palm trees originating from East Asia.
It grows to heights of up to 30-50 feet (9-15 meters) and a width of around 12 feet (4 m) and gets its name from its strikingly long and slender leaves, which form a pattern similar to a Chinese fan and droop in linear segments.
It is a slow-growing plant with a single, upright trunk, and its bright green leaves can span up to 6 feet (2 meters) in length.
It is highly decorative and can also be grown in pots where it likes to spread. In summer, it displays panicles of cream-colored flowers, which are followed by fruits that are either blue-green or pink.
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Chinese Fan Palm care
The Chinese Fan Palm loves the heat but needs to be protected from bright, direct sunlight, which can cause it to burn. The ideal temperature range for this plant is between 65°F-85°F (18°C-29°C). Provide it with average humidity between 30 and 60 percent.
Where to grow your Chinese Fan Palm
Your Chinese Fan Palm should ideally be placed in bright, indirect or dappled sunlight. It requires heat and light, but if you place it in direct sunlight, it can cause burning of the leaves.
It will cope fine in medium light but will struggle in areas of low light. If you’re having trouble figuring out the proper light levels, make sure to read our article on that exact topic.
When grown in pots, it is ideally suited to growing under glass, so a conservatory or greenhouse is usually a prime location for this plant.
Chinese Fan Palms grown containers will not attain the same height and width as those planted directly in the ground
Watering
Chinese Fan Palm is quite drought-tolerant but will appreciate a good dose of water – particularly during dry spells. Whether grown indoors or outdoors, it is vital that it is in well-drained soil.
As a guide, during the summer, you should water once a week to once a fortnight, depending on the weather.
If there is sufficient rainfall to keep the soil moist then you will not need to add any additional water, but if the soil dries out to around 2 inches, a good soaking will do your plant the world of good.
During the winter, it is very unlikely that you will need to water outdoor plants, but should apply the same principle to indoor plants of watering when the soil is dry to a depth of around 2 inches.
Temperature
The Chinese Fan Palm grows best in temperatures of between 65°F-85°F (18°C-29°C).
This is generally consistent with the temperature of a suburban home, making the Chinese Fan Palm an ideal houseplant.
Humidity
Chinese Fan Palms will enjoy a normal residential humidity level between 30-60%.
Kept indoors, it’s recommended that you mist your plant 2-3 times per week to complement the humidity of the environment.
After misting, be sure to wipe down the leaves, as excess moisture or standing water can cause rot or fungal infections.
Fertilizing
The Chinese Fan Palm is a slow-growing plant, so you don’t want to fertilize it too regularly.
A slow-release palm fertilizer (8-2-12 ) will help make sure it gets a balanced dose of potassium and other nutrients necessary throughout the growing season.
After applying fertilizer, be sure to give the soil a thorough soaking to help disperse it and to allow it to soak in fully and encourage your plant to reach down, thus strengthening its root base.
Air circulation
Chinese Fan Palms won’t appreciate cold breezes, so they should not be kept near open doors or windows. HVAC systems are also to be avoided.
During spring and summer, particularly on hot, dry days, you should try to take any indoor Chinese Fan Palms outside to allow the fresh air to get to them.
Opening a nearby door or window should suffice if they are too large for you to move.
Propagation
Chinese Fan Palms can be propagated from seeds or cuttings.
If you decide to try reproducing this plant by seed, sow the seeds in springtime. Place them in rich soil, but leave the top of the seed sticking out slightly. Cover the seeds with sand and water.
The soil must be kept warm and moist for germination to take place.
Propagating from cuttings is a far easier and faster method of propagation.
Once you have a medium-sized plant, you can take cuttings and increase your collection of Chinese Fan Palms.
Remove the plant from its container and find a sucker at least 30cm long. Using a sharp knife or secateurs, make a clean cut and remove the sucker from its parent plant.
Place the sucker into a medium-sized pot filled with a 50/50 mix of perlite and potting compost.
Compact the growing medium around the sucker to ensure it can stand up, then place a clear plastic bag over the pot. It is best to keep your new plant out of direct sunlight until it has developed roots.
If you have a Chinese Fan Palm that has produced fruit, you can harvest the seeds to grow new plants. If not, you can buy seeds relatively cheaply.
To harvest your own seeds, you must first crack open the husk that holds them. You can do this by using a tool like a hammer or a mallet.
Once you have cracked the outer shell, remove the small brown seeds.
Seeds are best sown indoors soon after harvesting. Prior to sowing the seeds, soak them in water for 24 to 48 hours to hasten the process of germination.
Once your seeds are soaked, they can be planted in 2-inch pots containing a potting mix comprising 50% compost and 50% perlite.
Leave a small section of the plant exposed and cover it with sand. Water immediately and allow the excess liquid to drain.
Keep the soil moist and warm by placing the pots on a windowsill or in a greenhouse, and make sure they get at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.
Chinese Fan Palm seeds form a long taproot to begin with, so be patient.
Once your seedlings come through and are large enough to handle (which can take up to 4 months) they can be transplanted to larger 4-inch pots with fresh potting medium.
Continue to keep the soil moist and keep your seedlings in these slightly larger pots until the following spring, when they can be moved to their permanent position.
If planting them outside, wait until the last frost has passed.
Common problems with Chinese Fan Palms
Like most palms, the Chinese Fan Palm is susceptible to common infestation if grown indoors. The most common of these are scale, mealybugs, and spider mites.
These can be prevented by routinely inspecting and cleaning the leaves as part of your maintenance schedule.
Small infestations can be treated with rubbing alcohol, while larger infestations may require an insecticide application.
Chinese Fan Palm can also be affected by lethal yellowing. This phytoplasma disease is transmitted via planthoppers as they move between plants.
As its name suggests, lethal yellowing will kill your plants if it takes root. Regularly cleaning the leaves will help prevent this disease from spreading, too.
The first sign of lethal yellowing is usually early fruit dropping. You will then see the flowers begin to die off. Once these signs appear on the plant, it’s time to remove and destroy it.
Frequently asked questions about Chinese Fan Palms
Why are the tips of my Chinese Fan Palm leaves turning brown?
This is a common problem in Chinese Fan Palms, particularly when kept indoors, and is most likely caused by low humidity or dry soil. If you find that the soil’s dry, give it a good soaking. If the soil is still moist, try misting the plant.
Why does my Chinese Fan Palm have brown spots on the leaves?
This might be caused by too much watering, chemical burn from excessive fertilizer, or stagnant air. Try repotting the plant in fresh soil and misting it.
Why is my Chinese Fan Plant drooping?
You have probably overwatered it. Remember, Chinese Fan Palms are drought-tolerant plants that would rather have too little water than too much.
Conclusion
A fully mature Chinese Fan Palm is a thing of majesty and beauty.
In keeping with its name, there is something regal about the form it takes, and this plant would not look out of place in a 5-star hotel or fine dining restaurant.
But it is not consigned just to places of great wealth and standing. It is equally at home in any residential or commercial setting and will help to elevate the area without ever looking out of place.
The Chinese Fan Palm is relatively simple to look after and will come back from many tough situations due to its hardiness.
It doesn’t require pruning to keep its shape, and all new growth comes from the terminal tip, so as long as you don’t cut off the top of the plant, it should stay healthy and bring you years of enjoyment.
Older fronds should be removed when they turn brown to ensure the plant puts all its energy towards fresh growth rather than trying to revive dead leaves.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.