The Chinese Windmill Palm is surprisingly cold-hardy, but depending on where you live, you might need to take a few extra steps to keep it happy through the winter. While these palms can usually stay outdoors, there are definitely times when bringing them inside is the smarter move.
Cold-hardy down to 0°F
Believe it or not, a mature Chinese Windmill Palm can handle temperatures as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18°C). In milder climates, they often breeze through the winter without any help at all. However, the real danger isn’t just the cold—it’s the combination of freezing temps and moisture. If things get icy and wet, the “heart” of the palm and its roots can suffer. If that’s the forecast, you’ll want to wrap your garden palms in bubble wrap or burlap and move your potted palms to a sheltered, covered spot.
When to take action
If you check off more than one of the following boxes, it’s time to move your palm into a bright, cool indoor space:
- The palm is less than three years old (they need time to toughen up!)
- You’re expecting a very wet, slushy winter
- You live in a region with harsh, biting winds
- For potted palms: when temps dip below 23°F (-5°C)
A sunroom, unheated greenhouse, or a cool stairwell is perfect. Avoid keeping them in your main living areas—it’s usually way too warm for them in there!
Caring for your palm during its winter nap
If your palm is spending the winter indoors, make sure to check on it regularly. If the room gets too toasty, you might run into uninvited guests like scale insects, spider mites, or mealybugs. Keep the soil slightly moist with light watering, but skip the fertilizer entirely—your palm is officially in “hibernation mode” and doesn’t need the extra nutrients right now.
Once spring rolls around and the frost is gone, it’s the perfect time to repot your Chinese Windmill Palm to give it a fresh start for the growing season!
