Moderate Palm Safe for pets

Chinese Fan Palm

Livistona chinensis

A beautiful fan palm with deeply segmented, glossy green fronds that elegantly droop at the tips, creating a fountain-like effect.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 7 days
Light

Bright indirect light
Humidity

50–70 %
Temperature

10–30 °C

How to care for your Chinese Fan Palm

Everything you need to keep your Chinese Fan Palm healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

The Chinese Fan Palm is a striking plant known for its large, fan-shaped leaves with distinctively drooping tips, earning it the 'fountain palm' moniker. It enjoys bright, indirect light and high humidity. Consistent watering is important, but never let it sit in soggy soil. With proper care, it can grow quite large and create a dramatic tropical presence in any space, indoors or out.

Watering your Chinese Fan Palm

Every 7 days

Water thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, keeping consistently moist but not soggy.

How to know it needs water

Top 1-2 inches of soil dry
Foliage starts to look dull

How much light a Chinese Fan Palm needs

Bright indirect light

Bright, indirect light to full sun. Tolerates some shade.

Direct sun tolerated: 2 to 6 h a day
Orientations that suit it: North, North-east, East, South-east, South, South-west, West, North-west

Humidity and misting

50–70 %

Moderate to high (50-70%) Benefits from regular misting to increase humidity and prevent browning leaf tips.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 30 days

Fertilize every 1-2 months during spring and summer; reduce or stop in winter.

Recommended feed: Slow-release granular or liquid palm fertilizer. · 8-2-12

Repotting your Chinese Fan Palm

Every 24 months

Repot into a slightly larger container with a rich, well-draining potting mix.

When: Spring
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: pine bark, perlite, coco fibre

The tell-tale signs

Roots coming out of drainage holes
Water drains very quickly

Pruning your Chinese Fan Palm

Remove old, yellowing, or damaged fronds as needed. Cut dead fronds close to the trunk using sharp, sterile pruners.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 11 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 6 in the growing season.

11 J
9 F
7 M
6 A
6 M
6 J
6 J
6 A
7 S
8 O
10 N
11 D

Active growth · Days between waterings

Good to know

Its fronds have characteristic drooping tips, giving it a fountain-like appearance.
Can grow into a large specimen outdoors in tropical climates, creating a grand statement.

Frequently asked questions about the Chinese Fan Palm

How do you care for a Chinese Fan Palm?

Water it every 7 days. Give it bright indirect light. Ideal humidity: 50–70 %. Ideal temperature: 10–30 °C. Water thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, keeping consistently moist but not soggy.

How often should you water a Chinese Fan Palm?

Every 7 days Water thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, keeping consistently moist but not soggy. How to know it needs water : Top 1-2 inches of soil dry ; Foliage starts to look dull.

How much light does a Chinese Fan Palm need?

Bright indirect light Bright, indirect light to full sun. Tolerates some shade. 2 to 6 h a day

Is the Chinese Fan Palm toxic to cats and dogs?

No, the Chinese Fan Palm is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs. That is still no reason to let your pets chew on it.

Why are my Chinese Fan Palm leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Chinese Fan Palm?

Repot every 24 months, ideally in spring. Repot into a slightly larger container with a rich, well-draining potting mix.