I live in Phoenix, AZ and have a patio that is in full shade all day long. It received no direct sunlight. I was wondering if I could have a Mediterranean Fan Palm potted on this patio? I wouldn't be looking for it to grow, but just stay alive and provide a nice view. Obviously, it will not thrive in these conditions, but will it be able to survive virtually no direct sunlight at all?

Thanks for your help!

Hi! cali41, welcome to AMHD :)


I live in Phoenix, AZ and have a patio that is in full shade all day long. It received no direct sunlight. I was wondering if I could have a Mediterranean Fan Palm potted on this patio? I wouldn't be looking for it to grow, but just stay alive and provide a nice view. Obviously, it will not thrive in these conditions, but will it be able to survive virtually no direct sunlight at all?

Thanks for your help!
You should be okay, I would watch though if your local temperature drops below freezing.

You don't say how old your palm is, but mature (5years or older) specimens are listed to be hardy down to 5°F (-15°C) with part shade/ part Sun. With Palms it's better to be on the warm side, and if it isn't getting any direct Sun (at least 4hours), one trade-off would be keeping it warmer.

See here for more information:
Mediterranean (European) Fan Palms - (Chamaerops humilis) - Cold Hardy Palm Trees (http://www.sunpalmtrees.com/Cold-Hardy-Palm-Trees-Mediterranean-Fan-Palms.htm)

Chamaerops humilis ag.arizona.edu (http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Chamaerops_humilis.html)

Pros and cons for pruning, use the links on this site:
ag.arizona.edu RE: Pruning Mediterranean fan palm (http://ag.arizona.edu/pipermail/arid_gardener/2006-January/003373.html)

K

Thanks for the information. I live in Phoenix, AZ, so warmth will not be an issue. We have several nights that dip into the 30s a year, but rarely below freezing.

My main concern was with the lack of direct sunlight - but you think it sitting on a shaded patio should not be an issue?

I can't specify what age the tree will be - I was looking at some at a nursery earlier today and the palms were probably knee/thigh high.

Thanks for the information. Your welcome.

I live in Phoenix, AZ, so warmth will not be an issue. We have several nights that dip into the 30s a year, but rarely below freezing.You should be okay there. I have a cousin that lives between Phoenix, and Scottsdale, and his Pecan trees do well.


My main concern was with the lack of direct sunlight - but you think it sitting on a shaded patio should not be an issue? How shaded does your patio get, Have you taken hourly observations as to the varying degrees of shade, Is your, and your neighbors properties completely overgrown by mature trees that block the properties from the Sun, Can you send a pix of the patio at the darkest daytime of the day?
Mediterranean Fan Palms (MFP) grow best in full sun, but should adapt to outdoor shade which receives bright light or a few hours of morning or afternoon sun.
Low light will produce long fronds, while bright light will produce shorter fronds.
Don't hesitate to ask the nurseryman questions that would cause you concern. Show him/her the pix, that should answer your question.


I can't specify what age the tree will be - I was looking at some at a nursery earlier today and the palms were probably knee/thigh high.I would say they would be at least three years old then.
Again, ask the nurseryman questions.

K

Thanks! I will ask the nursery when I go back to purchase.

My patio receives no direct sunlight. It is facing due north.