Desert With Palm Trees

Where do you find a desert with palm trees? Many continents have deserts, but not all of their deserts support conditions for palm trees to grow. What conditions support palms in deserts?

SOIL

Only specific types of palms find tolerable desert climate conditions for good growth. The soil must have some supportive vegetative nutrition. In other words, not be just rolling, dry rocky sand dunes.

MOISTURE

There must be some water. That could be typical desert amounts of yearly rainfall, amounting up to 15 inches. Or it could be they're growing adjacent to an oasis, supplying good groundwater.

TEMPERATURES

The temperature lows must not be too low. Plus when it gets to the lowest temp a palm tree can endure, it can't last too long. Or the palm tree will be damaged and can die.

Some deserts are Cold, categorized as Semi-arid Deserts. Where winter temperatures are consistently lower than palms can hack.

Think of polar deserts. The Arctic & Antarctic, which get little precipitation. That's not the only problem there, these deserts without palm trees. They're way too cold!

Here at Mission: Palm Trees

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FINDING A DESERT WITH PALM TREES

So let's find some deserts with palm trees. We'll look to subtropical deserts and coastal deserts. So many we can show you! Even right where We Live, in Tucson Arizona.

Rainbow forming during winter storm in the desert

This Sonoran Desert Palm Tree in Tucson AZ is Glowing During a Winter Rainstorm!
As Seen From Our Backyard Patio.

A Desert With Palm Trees
Local Biomes

A palm tree in the desert will thrive if given the right conditions.

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But not only that, they must be palms suitable for full sun. And desert climates provide quite strong sun, especially during the summer.

PHOENIX

For instance Phoenix is a city in the desert with palm trees plus cactus. 85% of the year there it's totally sunny.

Palm Trees and Saguaro Cactus growing in a desert town

Phoenix: A Town in the Desert With Palm Trees Growing Adjacent to Saguaro Cactus

IMPORTANT TEMPERATURE FACTOR

Typically in a desert winter, the degree drop can be as much as 20^oF once the sun sets. How far then, did it drop? And for how long will an extreme drop last? Probably the most important detail.

This data tells you if a palm tree in the desert is suitable for the area.

Which specific species of palm trees are good to go in a desert climate? And what are the particulars for it?

Palm Tree in the Desert
Some Species Recommendations

THINK LOCALLY

We suggest looking into these palms if you want to plant in a desert area. For instance, a coastal desert won't necessarily be as severe as that of an inland desert.

You still must think of the overall climatology. In particular, how cold it gets. There are majorly cold deserts where palm trees don't normally grow.

We'll detail out the exact palm tree needs, for a variety of species, when analyzing a desert climate.

Also, since we're speaking of Deserts (= less than 15" yearly rainfall) with palm trees, these suggestions are also drought-tolerant species.

Grave of Artisti Cesar Manrique in Calle Vista del Valle Cemetery in Haría, Lanzarote, Canary Islands

CANARY ISLAND DATE PALM:

Yes, Phoenix canariensis is native to the Canary Islands. Majestic, slow-growing, specimen. Among the tallest palm trees.

Loves the sun, but still can go limitedly to 15^oF.

Canary Island Date Palm Tree in a Garden

Canary Island Date Palms Grow Quite Large With a Stately Aura

BISMARK PALM:

Bismarckia nobilis has bluish tinged fronds that love full sun. Be cautious if temps go into the 20sF, which can damage them, if it's too long.

Medium sized. This photo shows a wonderful specimen growing inside the Palm House at Adelaide Botanic Garden in South Australia. When we were in Adelaide, we didn't get to stop in. We were on our way to Outback desert areas, north of there!

But you can Stop In to See This Amazing Palm House.

This Gorgeous Bismarck Palm is Showing Off its Amazing Upright Fronds

DATE PALM:

Phoenix dactylifera has historically been the palm most cultivated for date Fruit Production.

It's a true desert sun & heat lover.
Still can tolerate low temps of 18^oF, for a bit.

MAZARI PALM:

Nannorrhops ritcheana is small, but pretty. A clumper with either bluish or green fronds.

Loves hot deserts because it's very drought-tolerant.
As a sun-lover, Mazari doesn't mind being placed in areas of sunny Florida! See the wonderful specimen below & many other palms at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, In Sarasota Florida.
Plus fleetingly tolerates a lowest temperature of 15^oF.

Nannorrhops ritchieana at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota

Desert Loving Mazari Palm Here Tolerating a Different Clime in Florida

MEXICAN BLUE FAN:

Brahea armata is maybe the ideal inland desert palm.

Loving the dry desert's full sun & heat.
It can also take momentary Fahrenheit plunging to about 16^o.

Mexican Blue Palm at Alta Vista Botanical Garden

Mexican Blue Palm in a Botanical Garden

See It At Alta Vista Botanical Gardens

CHEAP STAY FOR VISTA CALI AREA>

Closest to Alta Vista Botanical Garden

A LITTLE MORE $ - STILL A GOOD DEAL

A Bit Longer Drive, Yet Close Enough!

While you're there in San Diego North County, we recommend checking out This Food Tour in Carlsbad Village, which is a wonderful little community.

DESERT FAN PALM:

Washingtonia filifera loves the inland desert hot sun. Can even go as low as 15^oF. Native to northern Mexico & low deserts in So-Cal.

TRIANGLE PALM:

Dypsis decaryi is uniquely shaped. You can't miss it! Native to Madagascar, so it loves heat. Sun is good, too - but some recommend a bit of shade. Can go occasionally to about 26^oF without injury.

GUADALUPE PALM:

Brahea edulis has a fat trunk that takes it right through those springtime desert winds. Full sun is okay. Same with temperature as low as 18F.

Beautiful Sturdiness of the Guadalupe Palm

Does California Have Palm Trees?

The immediate answer to does California have palm trees is YES!

Maybe you've seen photos of, or have visited Los Angeles. More often than not palm trees were wherever that took you!

Likely you've also seen photos of palm tree lined streets in Palm Springs. Have you visited there? To a palm tree filled resort for relaxing enjoyment!

Have you ever heard of Palm Desert?

Sumptuously Stunning Resorts Like This Are in Palm Desert California

Palm Trees in Palm Springs

Are You Entranced as You Enter Palm Springs? With Palm Trees All Around!

Palm trees in Palm Springs are all along the main street, named Palm Canyon Drive. With those names, how could there not be palm trees in this California city! And along many of the major streets, too.

Strange to think, now-a-days, that the city's not originally named for palm trees. When Spanish explorers José María Estudillo & Brevet Captain José Romero came through this area.

They called it La Palma de la Mano de Dios. In English: The Palm of God's Hand. So originally it was an altogether different palm!

Rainmaker Fountain in Palm Springs California
Corner of Alejo Road & Palm Canyon Dr in Frances Stevens Park

DESERT FAN PALM

California's native palm, the Desert Fan Palm, is also nicknamed the California Fan Palm. It's not the palm trees all along the town's main street, though.

That California palm native is found nearby in Palm Canyon. Also in the most southerly part of town in a subdivision called Indian Canyons.

Does Arizona Have Palm Trees?

People who aren't familiar with the true geography of AZ may ask:

Does Arizona Have Palm Trees?

Because they may know about Flagstaff Arizona. Where there are pine tree forests & a ski area.
Or they're vaguely aware of Arizona being a desert. Thinking of rolling sand dunes. And they don't know if palm trees grow in that type of place.
Or they think of the Four-Corners monument area. Or the Grand Canyon. Associating them with Arizona. They didn't ever see palm trees in those photos.

DISCOVER PALMS IN ARIZONA

So it's no wonder if they've never been to Arizona, or if they've never researched the area - that they'd ask this question.

Nighttime View of the Arizona State Capital Building

Does Arizona have palms? The answer certainly is YES!

Much of Arizona has climes where a desert with palm trees can thrive. Particularly the right types of palm trees.

Where we live in Tucson, there's no escaping our Sonoran Desert with palm trees in your view. Left & right, backwards & forward!

backyard Palm tree over the wall on rainy day

A Summer Monsoon Storm Glides Across the Tucson Valley
The Palm Seen From Our Backyard is Lovin' It!

PHOENIX & MORE

Visit Phoenix to discover it will be the same.

Still plenty of other desert areas exist where palm trees easily live, throughout the state. For instance:

In Casa Grande
All the Suburbs of Phoenix
Bullhead City & Kingman

Crossing at the Colorado River at Bullhead City Arizona

Palms Along the Colorado River - At the Crossing Into Laughlin Nevada at North End of Bullhead City
Adjacent to Davis Camp Park

Dateland & other towns along I-8 like Gila Bend
Parker & north along the Colorado to the Parker Dam. Then south for Yuma & surrounding communities
Lake Havasu City vicinity

Mostly it's drought-tolerant species in the Arizona desert. With them you must use caution about overwatering palm trees in Your Landscaping.

Some people plant other Palms That Love Sun, yet need a bit more water. Yet it's preferable to give much thought to xeriscape landscaping for your desert area palm trees.

Palm Trees in Tucson

We've said, we live in Tucson Arizona. Anytime we drive anywhere we have views of palm trees all over town. Out our back door we see at least four palm trees.

We drive out along our street & I can think of at least three homes where I can see palms in their yard.
There are hotels, stores, apartment/condo complexes named or designed with palm trees in mind.
Tucson has numerous parks with palm trees scattered about

VIRTUAL TUCSON PALM TOUR

Let's take a virtual drive to begin figuring out where palm trees in Tucson can be found. Here are some samples from around town.

Palms Along the Pond in Reid Park, Tucson Arizona
Your Tour Continues Soon

Palms Viewed From Our Backyard

San Xavier del Bac Mission - Palms SW of Town

Our Granddaughters Played Soccer in Tucson Parks With Palm Trees

The Entry to the Arizona State Museum
On the Campus of the University of Arizona

Phoenix Arizona Palm Trees

Mill Avenue Runs North Through Tempe & On Into East Van Buren in Phoenix Arizona

Many, many places are in the Phoenix area where you'll get that tropical feel in the desert with palm trees there.

We take the 1-1/2 hour drive up to Phoenix on numerous occasions. Can't miss noticing palms trees while you're there!

We love that during the holidays. How the sports' stadium plazas have Christmas Lights On Palm Trees.

But not only there!

Holiday Lights in Downtown Glendale Arizona - Just NW of Phoenix

Peek Into More "Palmography"

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