Windmill Palm
Trachycarpus fortunei
Traits
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Jul 16, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
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
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
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 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.
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
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, acidic, and zone 9a hardiness.
Lady Palm
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
Foxtail Palm
Shares 3 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, and sandy.
Atamasco Lily
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, and zone 9a hardiness.
Bald Cypress
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, and zone 9a hardiness.
Basswood
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
You may also like
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.