Palm trees often evoke memories of lush tropical settings and warmer climates for people. With over 2500 varieties available, palm trees come in different shapes and sizes to suit various gardening needs.
Although they require extensive sun exposure, some are still versatile enough for gardeners to consider for their landscapes, even in cool-climate areas. Understanding the different types of palm trees can help in making an informed decision about which varieties will work best.
Types of Palm Trees
Bottle Palm
Bottle Palm, which goes by the botanical name Hyophorbe lagenicaulis, has a rather distinctive appearance. It has a tall, plump trunk, with a burst of vibrant green fronds at the top. They are relatively easy to maintain and an apt choice for intermediate plant owners.
This tree can grow up to 12 feet in height, and works well in USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11. They prefer bright, indirect light and can also tolerate direct light. They grow best in moist soil, especially during warmer months. Regular misting can benefit the tree, but it is not necessary.
Date Palm
The date Palm, scientifically known as Phoenix dactylifera, adds a majestic charm to any landscape. This palm tree produces sweet, delicious dates that people enjoy. It is native to North Africa, but can thrive in various soil types, including rocky and poor-quality soils.
In California, many date farms have closed, and the trees are now being sold to homeowners. Mature date palms are now available at reasonable prices for homeowners to grow. Date palms thrive in USDA hardiness zones 8a to 11.
Areca Palm
The Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens) is a popular indoor plant. It is known for its lush, feathery fronds, and keeping it indoors also helps improve air quality.
They are native to Madagascar and prefer bright, indirect light. Areca Palms cannot tolerate cold temperatures; therefore, it is best to keep them in a warm and humid climate. They thrive in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 11 and grow 6 to 30 feet tall, with a spread of 6 to 20 feet.
Mexican Fan Palm
Mexican Fan Palm (Washingtonia robusta) is best suited for large yards due to its fast growth rate and impressive height once mature. It also has a unique fan-shaped frond. These palms can grow to 50 to 100 feet tall when grown outdoors.
It is not as drought-tolerant or storm-resistant as other species. They are also vulnerable to numerous fungal diseases, thereby requiring more maintenance. In addition, they can be moderately invasive in certain parts of California.
It is better to consider all the downsides before planting. Once planted, they require full sun and prefer well-drained, loamy or sandy soil. They prefer deep irrigation once the soil has dried, and grow best in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11.
Cascade Palm
Cascade Palm or Chamaedorea cataractarum is also called the Cat Palm. They are among the most popular indoor plants, known for their ability to thrive in various indoor conditions. They look similar to Areca palm, and have long, bushy fronds with vibrant foliage.
They prefer indirect light when planted outdoors and can grow up to 8 feet tall. They grow best in USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11.
Foxtail Palm
Foxtail Palm is native to Australia, and is characterized by their bushy fronds that look like a foxtail. It is known for its rapid growth and thin, smooth trunk. The lush canopy enhances its tropical appearance and makes it an ornamental tree for any landscape.
Foxtail palm prefers a warm and humid climate. However, once established, it can also tolerate light frost. It grows best in full sun and has moderate drought tolerance, reaching 20 to 30 feet in height and spreading 10 to 15 feet. The preferred USDA hardiness zone is 10-11.
Chinese Fan Palm
Chinese fan palm has distinctive upright fan-shaped fronds with a vibrant, glossy green color. The leaves are often dried and used in flower bouquets. They are rather easy to maintain, while requiring watering only once the soil has dried out. They are hardy and can tolerate cooler temperatures compared to other palm varieties native to warmer climates.
They do best in bright, indirect light as they grow to a height of 8 feet. The preferred USDA hardiness zones are 8a-11.
Sonoran Palmetto Palm
They are scientifically known as Sabal uresana, which has classic costapalmate leaves with a midrib that runs partway along each leaf. This creates a structured and curving leaf shape that can be visually pleasing in any garden setting. The palm has silvery leaves, which create a beautiful contrast against the dark brown trunk.
These trees are native to Northern Mexico and can grow at elevations up to 3000 feet. This variety of cold-hardy palm is very slow-growing. The fronds of the palmetto palm are often used by locals to weave baskets. The ideal USDA hardiness zone to grow this would be 8a to 10b.
Kentia Palm
The Kentia palm, or Howea forsteriana, is an elegant and adaptable kind that works well for indoor growing. This variety adjusts to a range of light and soil conditions, making it a flexible choice for any space. The arching and feather-like fronds create a graceful presence without requiring high humidity levels to thrive.
These palms prefer partial shade and do well in well-drained and loose soil. The watering should be such that the soil remains evenly moist. When grown outside, kentia palms can reach up to 40 feet tall. The ideal USDA hardiness zones are 9 to 11.
Lady Palm
The Lady palm, or Rhapis excelsa, is a palm that thrives in shade. It has broad and fan-shaped leaves that have a glossy texture. They appreciate bright, indirect light and prefer shade. They can adapt to both indoor and warm outdoor settings.
Additionally, their elegant look and air-purifying qualities make them a popular option amongst gardeners. They are easy to maintain, however can be slow in their growth. Their height and spread can range from 6 feet to 15 feet. The preferred USDA zones to grow them are 9 to 11.
Christmas Palm
The Christmas palm is an extremely popular outdoor palm that also performs well indoors. The sensitivity to cold makes this variety an ideal candidate for bringing them indoors during colder months. It gets its festive name from its berries that turn bright red during the winter around the holiday season.
They thrive in bright, indirect light but can tolerate extremely bright light and hot sun. They tend to be more drought-tolerant and only require watering when the first inch or two of soil dries out. They reach up to 6 feet when grown outdoors, and prefer USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11.
Coco Palm
The Coco palm or Cocos nucifera is one of the widely recognized palms in the world. It is a tall and skinny palm that has a thin trunk with a small canopy that can sway in the breeze up to 100 feet in the air. It is often found near beaches or on tropical islands.
It is tolerant of salt spray and hurricane winds. It thrives in sandy soil with plenty of moisture and has minimal additional needs, provided it grows in a climate where temperatures never fall below freezing.
Conclusion
There are varieties of palm trees for both indoor and outdoor growing. It can add a tropical touch to any garden space, thereby creating a warm seaside environment. While deciding to plant a palm tree, it is important for homeowners and gardeners to consider multiple things. For instance, available space plays an important role as some varieties can have a humongous presence.
