The erect, single trunk of Windmill Palm is covered with dense, brown, hairlike fibers, and the three-foot-wide, fan-shaped fronds extend from 1.5-foot-long, rough-edged petioles. If one didn't know better, you might think the truck was wrapped in burlap. Windmill Palms are a very slow-growing palm that can reach up to 40 feet in height; though is often seen much smaller at 10 to 20 feet tall. It does well in confined areas and is hardy to 10-degrees F. or lower.
Windmill palm is one of the most cold-hardy palms available. Windmill palm has a rather slender single stem that is 8-10 in (20-25 cm) in diameter and is typically a bit narrower at the base than at the top. Trunks are usually covered with a loose mat of coarse gray or brown fiber.
In older individuals, the fiber sloughs away to reveal a smooth ringed surface. Chusan palm, as it is also commonly called, has light to dark green palmate leaves that are lighter, almost silvery, on the underside. Leaves are circular, about 3 ft (0.9 m) in diameter and segmented about halfway. Specimens grown in full sun and/or under poor conditions may have much smaller, more compact crowns.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zone 6b: to -5 °F
USDA Zone 7a: to 0 °F
USDA Zone 7b: to 5 °F
USDA Zone 8a: to 10 °F
USDA Zone 8b: to 15 °F
USDA Zone 9a: to 20 °F
USDA Zone 9b: to 25 °F
Plant Height
Height 15-20 ft.
Height 20-30 ft.
Height >30 ft.
Light Exposure
Light - Full Sun
Light - 10% to 40% Shade
Growth Rate
Rate - Slow
