The windmill palm is a perennial member of the palm family (Arecaceae) native to subtropical and temperate mountain forests of China. It is one of the more cold-hardy members of the family, and as such, is a popular choice for bringing a tropical flair to temperate landscape. The genus name is derived from Greek meaning "rough fruit," referring to the irregularly shaped fruits. The species epithet honors famed 19th-century Scottish plant hunter Robert Fortune, who first introduced the palm to Europe. Although it can be grown in full sun, a location that provides some shade and protection from strong or cold winds can be beneficial. When no protection from strong wind is provided, the leaves tend to tear. The damage is not lethal, but it is unsightly. This palm is moderately salt tolerant. In the wild, the windmill palm can reach 20 to 40 feet tall and sometimes taller. In cultivation, it typically tops out around 10 feet tall. It makes a great specimen plant or is effective in small groups. It has a solitary trunk that appears shaggy and hairy with leftover dried petioles from shed leaves. Fibers from the leaves are often used in weaving. Propagation can be accomplished from seed, however both male and female plants are necessary for seed production. It can be grown in large containers and overwintered indoors in colder climates. Use it to frame an entryway or garden path. It is an excellent choice for an Asian garden, a tropical garden, a winter garden or a children’s garden. Quick ID Petioles finely toothed Leaves palmately divided Leaf segments single-fold The trunk clothed in long brown fibers (the remains of the leafbases) Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. They are susceptible to scale and palm aphids. Some issues of root rot may appear as well as yellowing disease and leaf spots. For a palm, it has excellent winter hardiness, but it may suffer in the coldest locations. Small plants are susceptible to deer browsing.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal
Mature size
Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in. | Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Erect
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, > 6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are fan-shaped to circular, palmately dissected, each having 15-19 segments which are linear, single-fold, and slightly drooping. They can grow up to 3' long. The undersides have a glaucous color, covered with a grayish-waxy coating. The petiole may have some fine teeth.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Radial
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The flowers appear on drooping panicles that can grow to 2' long. The female flowers are followed by dark blue, lumpy drupes.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Black; Blue
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Dark blue to almost black fleshy fruits appear in the form of drupes. Each contain 1 seed.
Bark color
Dark Brown
Bark detail
The bark is fibrous. The trunk is covered with dark brown, hair-like fibers that originate from the old leaf sheaths. The trunk will typically measure under 10" in diameter.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Central and eastern China.
Play value
Easy to Grow; Textural
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Drupe
Uses (ethnobotany)
In China, this plant is often used in the making of rope, brooms, mat, and cloth.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Patio; Recreational Play Area; Walkways
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Children's Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Flowering Tree; Shade Tree; Small groups; Specimen; Street Tree