Chinese Fan Palm (Livistona chinensis): Elegant Fountain Palm for Landscapes

Livistona chinensis, the Chinese Fan Palm or Fountain Palm, is a graceful, costapalmate (fan-leaved) palm with a distinctive fountain-like habit—its fronds arch gracefully downward, creating a weeping effect. It's a classic choice for subtropical and warm temperate gardens.

Botanical Profile

Growing Chinese Fan Palm

Native to Japan, Taiwan, and southern China, this slow-growing palm reaches 20–30 feet tall with a solitary, gray-brown trunk. The large, glossy green fronds are 3–5 feet wide, deeply divided into drooping segments that give the "fountain" appearance. It produces small, yellow flowers and blue-black fruits.

It tolerates a range of soils, prefers full sun to part shade, and is moderately drought-tolerant once established. Notably cold-hardy for a fan palm—surviving brief dips to 15–20°F (-9 to -6°C)—it's suitable for zones 9–11, and often survives in protected zone 8b spots. Use as a specimen, in groups, or in large containers. Its elegant weeping form adds a soft, tropical texture to any landscape.