Ariege/Midi Pyrenees,
France 
In the process of moving to central Portugal where almost every garden has one or more palm trees. We are lucky enough to have been able to build a swimming pool and I wanted to plant a couple in the pool area. I can't seem to find out how these plants roots work, i.e. do they spread (we have pipes and things that might be disturbed by spreading roots) and/or how fast do they grow. You can buy them in any height I think and I think the variety may be chamaerops excelsa. Can anyone help. Depending on advice I get I will either plant one or keep in in a (very) large pot.
22 Mar, 2012
Answers
Thank you! Helps a lot we had just about decided to grow them in pots as we have seen a few about growing in that way.
5 Apr, 2012
They take a good watering in summer sun in pots - even standing water but come winter they need none at all. I put some pebbles around the top to stop too much evaporation. This time of year the lower leaves die off - so you will need to cut them off, a bit frightening at first as you think they are dieing. Apart from that they are no trouble at all.
5 Apr, 2012
Previous question
The roots are not a problem; they are not too thick and not strong, so will not break a pipe for example. Conversely if in a windy spot they do fall over. We planted them around the boundary of our house in Joburg and have them in pots in the UK if that helps.
5 Apr, 2012