Palm
Windmill Palm
Trachycarpus fortunei · Arecaceae
Also called: Chinese windmill palm, Chusan palm
Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) is a moderate-water palm well suited to Tucson and the low desert. It's a slow-growing palm. Expect yellow blooms spring.
Windmill Palm at a glance
- Water use
- Moderate (established)
- Sun
- Partial shade to filtered sun in Tucson; afternoon/western shade is strongly recommended. Full low-desert sun and reflected heat scorch the fronds.
- Mature size
- 10-20 ft tall (slow), 6-10 ft spread; slender hairy trunk 8-10 in diameter
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Bloom
- Yellow, Spring; clusters of small flowers, dioecious (separate male and female plants)
- Cold hardiness
- One of the most cold-hardy palms; hardy to about 5-10F, so Tucson frost is no concern. Heat tolerance, not cold, is its limiting factor here.
- Soil
- Adaptable but prefers well-drained, humus-rich soil; benefits from soil amendment in caliche soils.
- Native range
- Central and eastern China, northern Myanmar (subtropical mountain regions of Asia)
- Best used as
- Accent/specimen palm, Courtyard and shaded patio plantings, Container palm in shaded spots
- Wildlife
- Flowers attract pollinators; fruit eaten by birds.
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic to pets and people.
How to grow Windmill Palm in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Water deeply and regularly; about weekly in summer, every 2-4 weeks in cooler months. It is a cool-climate palm that does not tolerate prolonged drought or extreme heat, so do not let it dry out in summer.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Feed with a palm fertilizer containing micronutrients 2-3 times in the warm season. Watch for magnesium and iron deficiency (yellowing) in Tucson's alkaline soil.
Pruning & care
Remove only dead, fully brown fronds; the fibrous hair-covered trunk is a natural feature and should be left intact. Trim old fruit stalks for tidiness.
Notes
More cold-hardy than most palms but poorly suited to the low desert's intense heat and sun. In Tucson it MUST have afternoon shade and consistent water; in full sun with reflected heat the fronds bleach and burn. Best used in protected, shaded north/east exposures. Not a true low-water desert plant.
Sources: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension; Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum; Pima County Master Gardeners