Livistona Palm | Chinese Fan Palm

The Livistona Palm: A Majestic Chinese Fan Palm for Every Space

Add a touch of the tropics to your home or garden with the Livistona Palm (Livistona chinensis). Often referred to as the Fountain Palm due to the cascading nature of its leaves, this slow-growing evergreen is a favorite among landscapers and interior designers alike. Native to East Asia, it is celebrated for its ability to adapt to tough environments while maintaining a lush, exotic appearance.

Why Choose the Chinese Fan Palm?

1. Distinctive “Weeping” Foliage Unlike the stiff leaves of other fan palms, the Livistona features large, star-shaped leaves that soften at the tips, drooping gracefully downward. This unique texture adds a relaxing, soft movement to wind-swept gardens and static indoor corners.

2. Tough and Adaptable This is one of the most durable palms available. The Livistona Palm is cold-hardy (tolerating frost better than most) and moderately drought-tolerant once established. It flourishes in the heat of the UAE just as well as it does in tempered indoor environments, making it a “fail-safe” choice for beginners.

3. Perfect for Landscaping & Interiors

• Outdoors: In the ground, it can grow into a magnificent tree (up to 30+ feet) with a grey, trunk-like stem, ideal for lining driveways or acting as a standalone specimen.

• Indoors: Kept in a pot, it stays compact for years, acting as a stunning architectural centerpiece for offices, lobbies, and sunrooms.

Plant Care Guide

• Light: Thrives in bright, indirect light indoors. Outdoors, it prefers full sun to partial shade (younger plants prefer some shade to prevent leaf burn).

• Watering: Water deeply but allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Do not let the roots sit in water.

• Soil: Prefers rich, well-draining soil mixes (loam or sandy soil).

• Fertilizer: Feed with a slow-release palm fertilizer during the growing season (spring and summer) to maintain bright green foliage.

Common Names: Levistonia, Chinese Fan Palm, Fountain Palm, Livistonia (common spelling variant).

Category: Palm