Different Types of Palm Trees

Ahhhh - The Sun Shining Through the Palms. What a Life!!

Do you live in a really sunny climate? Where the mostly sun shines nearly every day.

I know we do. Often, we wake up & there's not a cloud in the sky! Cuz we live in Tucson Arizona. In the Sonoran Desert, where many different types of palm trees now grow.

Do you live in a Desert Climate that sun-loving types of palms thrive in?

Blue Hesper Palm - Brahea armata, Baja California native.

• Slowly grows as high as 40 feet, in Zone 9B-11!
• Needs dryer, alkaline soils.
• Yellow bisexual flowers flow through the 15' long inflorescence.

Rainy Places Make it Sad & Depressed!

Silver Palm - Coccothrinax alta, endemic to Caribbean.

• Can get to 25' quite slowly, within Zone 10B-11.
• Named for the silvery glow below the topside green frond
• Likes beachy, sandy ground.

Not fussy, doesn't need much! Seen Here in a Botanic Garden in Berlin.

Spindle Palm - Hyophorbe verschaffeltii, originates from an island off Africa's eastern coast.

• Smaller palm, grows gradually to 20' in Zones 10B-11.
• Generally quite flexible.
• Trunk has that unique look with tight rings around the bottom rising to greenish swelling above.

Though please, quench its thirst if it's parched!

Senegal Date Palm - Phoenix reclinata, AKA Reclinata Palm.

• Though from Africa, not fussy where it plants roots. Except should be Zones 9-11.
• Grows somewhat faster than others here. To about 25'. Likes to spread out, too.

1. Suckers make new trunks. If you don't want it taking over your place, prune those not wanted. It won't be insulted!

• Leaves have spines, so that's a caution.

You've Gotta Control It!

Florida Thatch Palm - Slowly grows about 20' (6 meters), easily in Zones 10-11

• With care when temps dip, Thrinax radiata can do OK in Zone 9B.
• Yes it likes sun, but a little shade's alright!
• Quite a flexible, jaunty one. Easy to get along with!

In a Container, Ready for Your Landscaping Plan. Wouldn't Do Too Well to Remain Growing in a Pot.

Radicalis Palm - Unhurriedly it's generally 5-10' (1.5 meters). Zones 8B-11.

• Chamaedorea radicalis likes shadier spots. Then easily grown, with moderate watering.
• Just use caution with its fruits! Can irritate sensitive skin.
• Tolerates momentary temp dips to 20^oF, even to 15^oF. But better to protect it.

Growing in Lotusland's Gardens. NE of Santa Barbara, NW of Montecito. In California.

Hardy Bamboo Palm - Faster growth to 8' (2.4 meters) tall in Zones 8B-11.

• Chamaedorea microspadix doesn't want too much sun. Likes a bit of water.
• Per its name, hardiness is for occasional frosty times.
• Watch for mealybugs, but it's resistant to mites.

Below Freezing, Though, it's Wise to Please Give It an Overcoat!

LIKES SOME SHADE!

Dwarf Palmetto - Plodding growth to only 6' (1.8 meters) in Zones 7-10B.

• Sabal minor originated in woodsy southeastern US areas.
• Barely no visible trunk, it's so low to the ground.
• Easy care: can take a bit of a chill & some drought.

Very Friendly & Flexible. How Can You Go Wrong?

Spiny Licuala - Licuala spinosa moderately grows to 12' (3.7 meters) in Zones 10B-11. Per its name, frond petioles are armed. Watch out for that!

• Fronds grow out in a circle, each with a wedge shape. Very nice!
• Originating in South Pacific islands, it likes enough water. Give it more sun, it gets more thirsty!
• Given that care, it's easy to manage.

Artist's Rendition of the Spiny Licuala.
Note the Points All Along the Stem!

Ivory Cane Palm - You'll see it progress well to 12 feet. Zones 10B-11.

• It's a rain forest natural. Better grow it where it can get some shade.
• Pinanga kuhlii is attractive. With a shrubby look. 
• Creamy pink flowers contrast well, producing red fruit. New fronds look pinkish, too!

Wide Pinnate Leaves Make for a Nice Hedging Plant Under Other Tall Canopies.

Pygmy Date Palm - Unhurriedly, it gets to 10' (3 meters) in Zones 10A-11.

• Phoenix roebelenii is generally easy to find. But needs care to avoid problems.
• Full sun is fine with it, but doesn't mind a bit of shade.
• Coming from Southeast Asia, it does like enough water.

Popular Palm Has Been Cultivated a Long Time.
Now Looking Much Different from Its Wild Form.

PALM TREE TRIMMING

Consider that palms with crownshafts (leaf base with packed-in pinnate fronds) don't need pruning. Dead fronds fall off on their own (but in their own timeframe).

• Saves you paying landscape companies to prune.
• You'll have to remove them from the ground. Or hire a local youngster to do it!

You can Prune Palms Yourself, but be cautious. Consider this when planting tall palms.

Palm Tree Pruning from a Bucket Lift:
Yearly Task for Many Tall Palms. The Safest Way for Tall Palms.

• Sierra Madre Palm: Brahe decumbens ends up 6-8 ft. in Zones 9-11, some 8b. Usually bends over. Spreads with suckers! May be a little hard to find.

Can You Tell They're Happy in the Sun? No Worries About Soggy Roots!
Surrounded by Desert Plants in Sandy, Arid Soils
In Sierra de Tula, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

FRUIT MESSINESS

A problem can be picking up after falling fruit. The worst are the fleshy types. Will you be eating the fruit anyway?

Best tips to avoid fruit mess:

• Trim off inflorescences before flowers bloom to cut back on fruit production.

1. Or after blooming completes to prune all stalks off

• Totally cut off infructescences before fleshy fruit begins dropping. Won't harm the palm tree!

What Happens When These Ripen & Drop From the Palm?

PEST/HEALTH PROBLEMS

It's best for different types of palm trees you consider to be resistant to plant pests & illness. To avoid worrisome, regular treatment & prevention routines.

Six Orders of the Animal Kingdom's Insecta class have species problematic for some palms. Included in these are grasshoppers, crickets, walking-sticks, thrips, true bugs, leaf/planthoppers, aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, scale insects, beetles, caterpillars & mites.

That's Some Palm Problem List!

Front & Back Look at the Red Palm Weevil
See What its Cocoon Looks Like - EWW!!

There are different types of palm trees that are best for avoiding those problems. Which ones?

Bismarck Palm: Bismarckia nobilis works well in Zones 10A-11.

• Averages 30-60' tall, growing slowly.
• Preplan location! Besides height, its large, wide canopy is impressive.

Seen Along the Mission Hills Garden Walk in San Diego California

Silver Palm: Coccothrinax alta hardy in Zone 10B-11.

• Ambles upward to 25' & likes the shore!
• Still very flexible. Not fussy if you give it some sun.

Beach Vacation? Maybe in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands?
You May Encounter This Delightful Palm!

Australian Fan Palm - Livistona australis can do Zones 9-11.

• Give it some sun. In Florida add in some Potassium. Then its growth is slow & happy to 40'.
• Only when young, be careful of spines.

Artist's Rendering of this Pretty Specimen
In 1878 "Les Palmiers Histoire Iconographique" by Pannemaeker.

Joannis Palm: Veitchia joannis for Zones 10B-11

• Very flexible. But avoid leaf burn from extreme cold/hot winds.
• Pretty, delicate look. Can get to 60' high!

All the Times We've Walked the Corridor
Overlooking Honolulu Airport's Garden.
Never Had Time to Sit on Those Benches!
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Oahu

Different types of palm trees can grow well inside your home. Near to a window for their lighting & easily managed.

Discover small types of palm trees with easy maintenance. Here are some to consider:

Christmas Palm: Adonidia merrillii is a popular potted palm tree for indoor holiday decor. Year round it's fine, too.

• Fairly fast grower, with about 12 fronds attractively arching from the trunk.
• Produces inflorescences quickly, when about 3 feet tall, then colorful fruits.
• Ensure it gets good window light & doesn't dry out.

Red & Green Colors Abundant at Year's End
So That's How It Got its Nickname!

Lady Palm: Rhapis excelsa has a successful reputation for easy container placement in the home.

• Advantage: not a sun-worshipper!
• White flowers make small white fruits.
• Grows slowly, but not fussy about soil. Water regularly, just don't let it get soggy "feet"!

Potted Beautiful Lady in the Hotel Citradream
Cirebon, West Java, Indonesia

Typically, these palm trees do well in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-8.

When lower temperatures rule, cold hardy palms can withstand low temperatures for a short time. With little or no damage.

In colder zones, palms may need protection when temperatures dip. Just like you have - stash some Palm Tree Winter Protection for those chilly times!

Frost in the Forecast? Get Out Your Palm's Winter Coats!!

Suggested different types of palm trees you may want to plant.

Needle Palm: Rhapidophyllum hystrix may be the most tolerable of cold temps amongst all palms! Consider all this, if it's your choice!

• Naturally loves more shady spots. Slowly grows to 12', it clusters & spreads.
• Intermittently produces inflorescences. At night wafting pungent aroma of pale yellow/lavender flowers. 
• Infructescences drop fleshy fruit that splits. You'll note their strong overly sweet smell.

Endemic to the southeastern US. Gathered so much by nursery traders, now seems like it's going, going gone! In the wild.

"The Frost is on the Pumpkin." Then Probably When There's Gonna Be Frost on the Palm!

Dwarf Palmetto: Sabal minor does well from Zones 6-11, originating from the SE US. Even known to survive well in Zone 5.

• Likes a shady spot, but is thirsty for water.

It's a Swamp Lover! That's its Native U.S. Territory.

Windmill Palm: Trachycarpus fortunei can statuesquely reach 40 feet high.

• Grows well in Zones 7-11, preferring the Mediterranean type climates.
• Well cared for, it grows quickly. 
• Not good in very windy areas, though. Also beware of lethal yellowing.

Windmill Palm Trees Even Can Withstand Snowstorms! This Grove is in Non-Balmy England.
At the Entry to Logan Botanic Garden

You get a new palm planted in your yard or garden! Yay!!

It's just a little tyke. Then you begin watching it grow. It's soooo slow!

Is It Taller Yet??

Areca Nut Palm: Areca catechu only tolerates the warmth of Zone 11 & some 10B.

• Give it what it needs & it happily gets to 50'.
• Full sun, can do slight shade. Regular water into loamy acidic earth. But don't let it continuously slosh in moisture either.
• Gorgeous color contrasts throughout

Ever Watched the Film, or Seen the Broadway Show "South Pacific"?
This Palm Was Loved by Bloody Mary!

Carpentaria Palm - Carpentaria acuminata is Carpy to Aussies. Native at the Top End!

• Another warmth lover, gets around 50' up. Zones 10 & 11 suit it.
• Inflorescences form a white flowered skirt below the crownshaft. Red fruits afterwards.
• For quick growth give it lots of water & sunlight.

The Carpy is named for the traditional environs:
Gulf of Carpentaria in Australia's Northern Territory.
This One Grows at Mt Coot-Tha in Brisbane, Where There's a Botanic Garden

Fountain Palm - Livistona decipiens is suitable for Zones 9-11. Plus 8B Zones with low humidity winters.

• Not too fussy. Give it regular water & ensure good drainage. Then it will spring up fast to its top growth of 50'.
• A stunning looker. Especially when shimmering in the full sun that it needs.

Another Endemic Aussie!
Weeping Willow Type of Appearance. With its Droopy Frond Ends.

Bacaba Palm - Oenocarpus bacaba grows quickly when you're good to it!

• Grows best in tropical zones. With rare freezes, it can manage semi-tropical climates.
• Once established, they love sunny spaces. 
• Humus filled soil makes a calm palm! Away from the alkaline side.

LARGE PALMS

Want a large palm tree for an impressive appearance on your property?

Sugar Palm: Arenga pinnata thrives in Zones 10-11. OK for warmest areas of 9B.

• Handsome solitary palm. Once established, easily gets along. Gets 50-70' high.
• Likes regular water & sunlight.
• Fronds angle upright, giving a welcoming look. But then scary for trunk spines.

Have a Sweet Tooth?
Try This Kind of Sugar if You're Searching for a Large Palm Tree for Your Tropical Landscaping.

Spindle Palm: Hyophorbe verschaffeltii best in Zones 10B-11.

• Mostly easy going. Especially unique looking!
• If lacking rainfall, give it a good shower yourself. Be sure it's in the sun.
• Watch for slight possibility of lethal yellowing. In Florida? Needs potassium/magnesium supplements.

Artist's Rendering of the Spindle Palm.

Bottle Palm: Hyophorbe lagenicaulis for Zones 10B-11.

• Gets slowly to 12' when watered consistently & adequate sunlight.
• Striking appearance. Tapered trunk & crown has 4-8 fronds.
• Easy care. Only Floridians: watch for potassium need.

Gorgeous Bottle Palm Specimens Lined Up at the Tropical Gardens of Maui
Looking Like They Come With a Built-In Planting Pot!

MULTI-TRUNKED PALMS

Clustering palm trees send out suckers from the "parent" trunk. These new stems are their "children" - so to speak! Often useful as a hedge.

Paurotis Palm: Acoelorhaphe wrightii is a clumper, alright!

• Hardy in Zones 9B-11. Nice look, when there's room to spread.
• Likes wetter grounds. Slowly but surely grows to 20'. Can temporarily dry out.
• Few precautions: ganoderma, smut & leaf spot. Need for manganese.

It's Also Called the Everglades Palm
Because Lots of This Palm are Found There!

Areca Palm: Chysalidocarpus lutescens in Zones 10B-11

• Nice looking, when sprouting several stems.
• Regular soil fertilizing supports better growth & appearance. Gets to 20' at a decent clip.
• Look out for attacks by caterpillars & mealybugs. Also be wary of diseases.

Multiple Trunks Gather Together - But They're All Related!

Here are some to consider:

Buccaneer Palm: Pseudophoenix sargentii is suited for Zones 10B-11.

• Caribbean & Keys native, slowly maxing out at 10'.
• Pretty adaptable & easy to manage.

A Buccaneer in West Palm Beach!
Such an Attractive Palm Tree!

Cuban Petticoat Palm: Copernicia macroglossa for Zones 10B-11.

• Leisurely grows to 15' attaining. Rounded crown appearance because dead fronds continue on.
• Needs full sun, but otherwise easy care. It's spiny though!

You Can See Why It's Called the "Petticoat Palm"!!
These are Growing at the Botanical Garden of Cienfuegos in Cuba

Mazari Palm: Nannorrhops ritchiana can do Zones 8-11. Has edible fruit.

• Gradually gets to about 10' high. Plus it clusters outward.
• Needs full sun & well drained soil. Otherwise easily cared for.
• Only precaution is slight possibility of lethal yellowing or ganoderma.

The Mazari Palm Could be Your Little Friend!