Palm
Windmill Palm
Trachycarpus fortunei
Traits
Varieties We Carry
StandardTrachycarpus fortunei
Sizes & Pricing
5 galFrom$150.00
Fresh this week. Last restocked Jun 19.
LightFull Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade
WaterModerate
Mature size20-40 feet × 6-10 feet
About Windmill Palm
Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) is a slender, cold-hardy fan palm from China with a trunk wrapped in dark fibrous sheaths and a crown of stiff fan-shaped fronds. Rated for zones 8a-11, it is one of the most cold-tolerant palms available and an excellent ornamental choice for NE Florida zone 9b landscapes. Starting at $150.00.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring, Summer
- Flower Color
- Yellow
- Growth Rate
- Slow
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Acidic, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
Good planting window.
Bloom season. Can be planted with extra attention to watering.
Bloom season. Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Light
Windmill Palm tolerates full sun, partial sun, and partial shade. In NE Florida, a location with afternoon shade helps reduce heat stress during peak summer, though established trees handle full sun well when given adequate moisture.
Water
Water faithfully during establishment. Once established, Windmill Palm is moderately drought-tolerant but performs best with consistent moisture during NE Florida's dry season (November-May). Avoid waterlogged soils, which promote root rot.
Soil & Fertilizer
Grows in sandy, loamy, or fertile well-drained soils. Apply a palm-specific slow-release fertilizer (e.g., 8-2-12 with micronutrients) three times per year to prevent magnesium and potassium deficiencies common in NE Florida's leached sandy soils.
Similar needs
Areca Palm
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Lady Palm
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Foxtail Palm
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Atamasco Lily
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Bald Cypress
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Basswood
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Common questions
Is Windmill Palm a good plant for St. Augustine?
Windmill Palm is a palm for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 20-40 feet × 6-10 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed March 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.