It is one of the most cold-hardy palms and is used in landscaping in temperate climates.

Chamaerops humilis is a shrub-like clumping palm, with several stems growing from a single base. It has an underground rhizome which produces shoots with palmate, sclerophyllous leaves.

The flowers are borne in dense, short inflorescences at the tops of the stems. Female flowers are tri-ovulate. Unripe fruits are bright green, turning to dull yellow to red as they ripen.