Palm trees are a popular choice for landscaping in tropical and subtropical climates. With over 2,600 species, palm trees come in all shapes and sizes. When choosing the right type of palm tree, it’s important to consider factors like climate, soil, space, and desired look. This article will compare the most popular types of palm trees to help you determine which is best for your needs.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Palm Tree
Climate – Some palm trees like Royal Palms and Canary Island Date Palms can survive brief freezes while others like Coconut Palms demand tropical temperatures year-round. Select cold hardy species if you live in areas with occasional winter frosts.
Space – Palm trees range in height at maturity from under 10 feet tall to over 100 feet tall. Make sure to choose a variety that will fit the space you have available. Smaller species are best for compact urban lots.
Soil – Some palm trees like Sonoran Palms thrive in rocky, alkaline soils while others like Queen Palms prefer rich, acidic soil. Test your soil and pick a palm suited to those conditions.
Desired look – Do you want a tall, thin trunk or short fat one? Arching leaves or stiff upright ones? Choose based on aesthetic preferences.
Cold Hardy Palm Trees
Some of the most popular cold hardy palm trees include:
Needle Palm
Native Range – Southeastern United States
Mature Height – 10-15 feet
Hardiness Zone – 7-11
This diminutive palm is one of the most cold tolerant species available. Its thin, upright trunk is topped with a compact crown of dark green, feathery leaves. The small size makes it ideal for use in containers or small urban landscapes.
Windmill Palm
Native Range – China
Mature Height – 10-20 feet
Hardiness Zone – 7-11
With distinctive fan-shaped leaves, the Windmill palm is aptly named. It withstands winter temperatures as low as 5 F when mature. They grow well in containers and adapt to a wide range of soils.
Pindo Palm
Native Range – Brazil
Mature Height – 15-20 feet
Hardiness Zone – 7-10
Also known as the Jelly Palm, this species produces edible fruit. It has a thick, smooth gray trunk and long arching leaves. It tolerates light frost when mature. The Pindo Palm stays relatively small, making it ideal for residential yards.
Tropical Palm Trees
For warm climates that never experience freezing temperatures, some top choices include:
Coconut Palm
Native Range – Tropical regions
Mature Height – 80-100 feet
Hardiness Zone – 10-11
The quintessential tropical palm, Coconut Palms thrive with high humidity and temperatures above 60 F year round. It has a tall, smooth, grey trunk topped with a crown of feather-shaped leaves. The Coconut Palm produces edible coconuts.
Date Palm
Native Range – Northern Africa, Middle East
Mature Height – 50-75 feet
Hardiness Zone – 10-11
A staple in desert landscapes, the Date Palm tolerates very hot dry conditions. This large palm has a single straight trunk covered in old leaf bases and a canopy of green feathery fronds. Dates are produced on female trees.
Bismarck Palm
Native Range – Madagascar
Mature Height – 40-50 feet
Hardiness Zone 10-11
With striking blue-green leaves, the Bismarck Palm adds a unique color to tropical landscapes. It has a long smooth trunk and leaflets that curve downward, creating a waterfall effect. This palm requires ample moisture.
Compact Palm Trees
For planting under utility lines or in small residential gardens, consider these petite species:
Pygmy Date Palm
Native Range – Southeast Asia
Mature Height – 6-10 feet
Hardiness Zone – 10-11
A miniature version of the Date Palm, Pygmy Palms are adaptable and easy to grow. Their spiky, lush fronds only grow 6-8 feet long. These small palms are perfect for use in containers.
Dwarf Palmetto
Native Range – Southeastern United States
Mature Height – 4-6 feet
Hardiness Zone – 8-11
Dwarf Palmettos are native to swamps and marshlands. They grow in full sun to part shade. With broad fan leaves and a short fat trunk, these tiny palms have a tropical look. They rarely grow over 5 feet tall.
Parlor Palm
Native Range – Mexico, Central America
Mature Height – 4-8 feet
Hardiness Zone – 10-11
Parlor Palms have long been popular indoor plants. They also thrive outdoors in frost-free regions. Fine, glossy fronds emerge from multiple slim stems. Frequent pruning is needed to maintain a compact shape.
Large Specimen Palm Trees
For creating an impressive towering focal point, consider these enormous palms:
Chilean Wine Palm
Native Range – Chile, Argentina
Mature Height – 60-90 feet
Hardiness Zone – 9-11
With a massive trunk up to 5 feet thick, the Chilean Wine Palm is a dramatic landscape accent. It thrives in warm temperate climates and favors coastal areas. It produces small yellow fruits that resemble grapes.
Sago Palm
Native Range – Southern Japan, southern China, Malaysia
Mature Height – 50-60 feet
Hardiness Zone – 9-11
The Sago Palm is an ancient species that is extremely slow growing, but can reach up to 60 feet tall over time. It has a thick shaggy trunk and large glossy fronds. The Sago Palm’s best qualities are realized when given ample space.
California Fan Palm
Native Range – Southwestern United States
Mature Height – 60-75 feet
Hardiness Zone – 8-11
This native palm thrives in hot, dry conditions. It has a tall smooth gray trunk and large fan-shaped leaves. The California Fan Palm requires extensive space to accommodate its massive size at maturity. It’s well-suited for parkways and commercial landscapes.
Conclusion
When selecting a palm tree, carefully consider your climate, available space, soil type, and aesthetic preferences. Cold hardy varieties like Needle Palm and Windmill Palm are great choices for cooler regions, while Coconut Palms and Date Palms thrive in the tropics. For small residential landscapes, choose compact species like Pygmy Date Palm and Parlor Palm. If you have ample room, Chilean Wine Palms and California Fan Palms provide majestic stature. With the endless variety of palm trees available, you’re sure to find the perfect one to enhance your landscape.
