Beautiful Silvery Blue Hue in New Growth

[palmofmyhand]

Hey guys I thought it was interesting to see that these two trachycarpus fortuneis that I planted this spring from 5 gallon pots have a bluish hue in their new growth. I have a pair of chamaerops humilis pair who also share this trait as well. Both couple of palms are grown in full sun here in Augusta, GA. Interesting to me how the old growth doesn’t show the blue hue but the new fronds do.  I noticed the same thing with my new washingtonia robustas, showing that silvery blue appearance on new growth as well. It seems to stand out a little bit more on these trachycarpus though. I’m thinking this may be a full sun tomentum factor? I think that’s what other people have said before about the silvery blue appearance on these palms that don’t always have that trait while grown in different conditions. I shared pictures below of the phenomenons. 

[garrytsen]

Yes,It is very interesting to see the blue hue.

By compairson, Trachycarpus princeps has the charmingly blue coloration not only in seedlings but also in the old leaves of adult palms.

[Las Palmas Norte]

16 hours ago, garrytsen said:

By compairson, Trachycarpus princeps has the charmingly blue coloration not only in seedlings but also in the old leaves of adult palms.

I've always been attracted to the coloration in these T. princeps any many others exhibiting these traits. It's my understanding that these princeps have a much lesser degree of cold hardiness than T. fortunei.

On 10/30/2025 at 3:42 PM, palmofmyhand said:

... I planted this spring from 5 gallon pots have a bluish hue in their new growth. ...

Don't expect that to persist as the fronds grow out. Still nice to see as they emerge.

[SeanK]

Is the blueish waxy appearance more persistent in dry climates?

[palmofmyhand]

5 hours ago, SeanK said:

Is the blueish waxy appearance more persistent in dry climates?

not sure but this climate is very humid and all of my palms are showing this feature

[Zone7Bpalmguy]

On 10/30/2025 at 5:42 PM, palmofmyhand said:

Hey guys I thought it was interesting to see that these two trachycarpus fortuneis that I planted this spring from 5 gallon pots have a bluish hue in their new growth. I have a pair of chamaerops humilis pair who also share this trait as well. Both couple of palms are grown in full sun here in Augusta, GA. Interesting to me how the old growth doesn’t show the blue hue but the new fronds do.  I noticed the same thing with my new washingtonia robustas, showing that silvery blue appearance on new growth as well. It seems to stand out a little bit more on these trachycarpus though. I’m thinking this may be a full sun tomentum factor? I think that’s what other people have said before about the silvery blue appearance on these palms that don’t always have that trait while grown in different conditions. I shared pictures below of the phenomenons. 

Pretty much all of my windmills have this blue look on the undersides of the fronds. I'm not sure what it means, if anything.