What is the name of the skinny palm tree?
Palm trees come in all shapes and sizes, from the stout and sturdy to the tall and slender. For those looking to add a palm with a slim, vertical look to their landscape, there are several good options. Getting to know the names and features of different skinny palm trees can help in selecting the right one for a particular site and climate.
Queen Palm
The queen palm is a very popular skinny palm variety known for its graceful, feathery fronds and smooth, light gray trunk. Growing up to 50 feet tall with a spread of about 25 feet, the queen palm has a single straight, smooth trunk that is about 1 to 1.5 feet in diameter and is ringed with old leaf scars. Its pinnate leaves are a light green and grow up to 10 feet long from a petiole or stem about 4 feet long. The queen palm produces creamy white flowers in spring followed by orange dates in summer. It thrives in warm climates and needs regular moisture.
Mexican Fan Palm
Also known by its scientific name Washingtonia robusta, the Mexican fan palm is another elegant skinny palm. It has a slender, columnar trunk that grows up to 98 feet tall with a crown of beautiful green fan-shaped fronds spreading out from the top. The fronds can reach 10 feet long and give the palm its name. The Mexican fan palm grows at a moderate pace of about 1 to 2 feet per year and tolerates hot, dry conditions once established. It also withstands occasional drought but prefers moist, well-drained soil.
California Fan Palm
Closely related to the Mexican fan palm, the California fan palm (Washingtonia filifera) is very similar in appearance but remains smaller in size. It reaches about 60 to 80 feet tall at maturity with a trunk diameter of 1 to 2 feet. Its fan-shaped fronds grow 4 to 6 feet long in a nice full crown. The California fan palm is also fast-growing like the Mexican fan palm, thriving in hot inland areas. It tolerates drought and needs very little maintenance.
Chinese Fan Palm
Also called the fountain palm, the Chinese fan palm (Livistona chinensis) is another excellent skinny palm choice. It has a single grey trunk covered in old leaf scars and topped with bright green fronds divided into fan-like segments. Growing at a moderate rate to about 50 feet tall, this palm needs moist soil and can tolerate partial shade. It does best in zones 10 through 11. The Chinese fan palm has a smooth texture that makes it stand apart from other fan palms.
Bismarck Palm
A more cold-hardy skinny palm variety, the Bismarck palm (Bismarckia nobilis) can handle temperatures down into the mid 20s Fahrenheit. It has silvery blue-green fronds divided into stiff segments that give the palm a bold, spiky look. Growing up to 50 feet tall with a narrow trunk, the Bismarck palm needs full sun and well-drained soil. It tolerates drought once established. This eye-catching palm performs well in zones 9 through 11.
Spindle Palm
Named for its slender, spindle-shaped trunk, the spindle palm (Hyophorbe verschaffeltii) is a short variety growing up to 25 feet tall. It has a trunk just 8 to 10 inches in diameter topped with arching, bright green pinnate fronds up to 6 feet long. The spindle palm handles partial shade but prefers full sun. It also appreciates moist soil and regular watering. This palm grows well in zones 10 and 11. It adds a fine, vertical accent to landscapes.
Foxtail Palm
The foxtail palm (Wodyetia bifurcata) earns its name from the bushy, fox tail-like appearance of its fronds. Growing up to 30 feet tall with a gray, gently tapering trunk, the foxtail palm is fast-growing and tolerates heat very well. It needs full sun and ample water to look its best. The foxtail palm has feathery leaves about 10 feet long divided into narrow segments. It performs well in zones 10 and 11.
Date Palm
Though it has a thicker trunk than other palms on this list, the date palm qualifies as a “skinny” palm with its tall, narrow growth habit. Date palms have a mature height of about 60 to 75 feet with a solid, solitary trunk about 12 to 24 inches wide. The arching green leaves can reach 15 feet long. Date palms thrive in hot, arid climates and are resistant to drought. They are hardy in zones 9 through 11. Some popular date palm varieties include Medjool, Deglet Noor, and Barhi.
Summary of Skinny Palm Tree Features
| Palm Variety | Mature Height | Trunk Diameter | Climate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Palm | Up to 50 feet | 1-1.5 feet | Warm climates |
| Mexican Fan Palm | Up to 98 feet | 1-2 feet | Hot, dry areas |
| California Fan Palm | 60-80 feet | 1-2 feet | Hot inland areas |
| Chinese Fan Palm | About 50 feet | 1-2 feet | Zones 10-11 |
| Bismarck Palm | Up to 50 feet | 1-2 feet | Zones 9-11 |
| Spindle Palm | Up to 25 feet | 8-10 inches | Zones 10-11 |
| Foxtail Palm | Up to 30 feet | 1-2 feet | Zones 10-11 |
| Date Palm | 60-75 feet | 12-24 inches | Zones 9-11 |
Conclusion
For a tall, narrow palm to spotlight in the landscape, there are many excellent skinny palm trees to consider that span a range of heights and growing zones. Choices like queen palm, Mexican fan palm, and date palm offer beautiful feathery fronds, while palms such as California fan palm, Chinese fan palm, and Bismarck palm present neat, fan-shaped leaves. With their vertical shape and graceful foliage, skinny palm trees deliver striking elegance and a tropical look to Southwestern, coastal, and warm inland areas. Selecting the right species based on factors like climate, desired height, hardiness, and frond type will provide the best results.
