Where Can Palm Trees Grow? A Global Overview

Where can palm trees grow? We've often wondered.

So, when we travel we're always on the look-out for palms in unexpected places. Even though we're startled when seeing one, we're kind-of happy. It warms the heart, so to speak!

There was something that started me thinking about where can palm trees grow. Our look around the world may get you started thinking that, too.

Let's find some worldwide palms!

Feeling overwhelmed by so many palm trees?

You're not alone. We Understand your headaches! At Mission: Palm Trees you'll find clear answers to questions & Step-By-Step Guidance, from real people. With solutions to help. No puzzling shoptalk. No tiring research. So it's easy & fun for you.

Was This an Irish Palm Tree?

I'll never forget it. The first time we traveled to Ireland, way back, and saw a small palmy looking tree there.

Aside Bantry Bay, in the beautiful town of Bantry. Got me so curious of what this plant was!

Heard people saying it was a Cabbage Palm. Eventually I did look it up. Was it a true palm tree? NO. But I did like the way it looked!

When we got home, the research began!

  • Ireland does have the type of climate where palm trees could grow.
  • The Gulf Stream flows by Ireland's West Coast. 
  • Originating in the warm south, most of the time it keeps cold extremes away.

Ireland's coastal areas rarely go below freezing for any length of time.

Ireland Has Palms, but these on Bantry Bay are notWe were amazed to see what we thought looked like palm trees in Bantry
on the waterfront of Bantry Bay.

So, Where Can Palm Trees Grow?

You know, for sure, that palm trees grow in tropical and subtropical areas around the world.

More precisely,

  • Tropics are north and south of the equator, between the Tropic of Cancer, south to the Tropic of Capricorn.
  • The subtropical border northern border reaches 35°N latitude, as does the southern border at 35°S latitude [per the American Meteorological Society].

The one continent that has never seen successful outdoor palm tree growth is Antarctica. That's some initial thoughts on Where Palm Trees Do Grow.

World map of the tropics and subtropicsMap of Tropical and Subtropical Climates
Palm Trees Can Easily Grow in These Areas

Many areas where palm trees can grow aren't tropical or subtropical!

  • Like Ireland, which is not within those warmer boundaries. 
  • How about the coast of Spain, Italy or Southern France on the Mediterranean? 
  • And along the West coast of the United States. 
  • Can palm trees grow in New Zealand or in Melbourne Australia?

For instance, we vacationed in Dénia, along the Costa Blanca region of Spain.

There were gorgeous palms on walkways and along some Mediterranean beaches. In Alicante, we had a wonderful stroll along such a pathway (below) the night before we flew back home.

Alicante Spain has Palm Trees Along WalkwayExplanada de España in Alicante - A Wavy, Palmy Stroll

How Can Palm Trees Grow in Temperate Zones?

Some palms are categorized as cold hardy.

That essentially means: can that palm species survive cold winter weather in a specific area. If the temperature goes below 32oF (0oC) most palms are bound to have frost damage, which may lead to death. Because the moisture Inside of a Palm forms ice crystals.*

Plant cells are genetically structured to tolerate a minimum temperature. When it's below that cut-off the cells die. Whether a palm survives depends on how many and the location of those harmed cells. Cold Hardy Palms activate protective systems when faced with a freeze.*

Some species even suffer harm when temperatures lower to the 45oF (7.2oC) range. 

Even though some palms are cold-tolerant, they don't enjoy getting chilled! But hardy palms can endure temperatures to about 20oF (-6.6oC) for a short time. Some even a bit colder. They tolerate it for a minimal time-frame, if it doesn't happen regularly.

Palm Trees in the snow in Vancouver CanadaSnow on Palm Trees in Vancouver Canada
Young Ones Have Protection - See: Their Overcoats Are On!

* Reference: David A. Francko, PhD, botanist and former Department of Botany chair at Miami University in Ohio.

Where Can Palm Trees Grow in the Americas?

Besides The U.S Tropics & Subtropics, and Central & South America, there are some surprising regions where palm trees can grow.

Surprising Areas Palm Trees Can Grow in the US

Where can palm trees grow in the United States?

Consider that Florida vs Texas vs California each has many variables in their climate and zones. Where Palms Do Grow. 

It seems most surprising areas are on the west coast. But, if someone knows of a palm tree growing elsewhere in these Lower 48 - please Let Us Know. Because we know they're out there!

In fact, after seeing a palm Growing in Minnesota on Palm Talk, I think with the right palm and care, they'll grow in every state!

Where can palm trees grow in California?

I think of the first time we traveled through the Central Valley on I-5 North.

Seeing palm trees along the way. Yet, when I thought we were too far north for them, still - there they were, growing!

But where can palm trees grow in California?

  • Typically up along the coast to about the Mendocino area.
  • May be scattered anywhere in the Central Valley area. Until you begin climbing out of it, going north of Redding.

Look at the USDA Plant Hardiness Map for Northern California for best details.

Northern California USDA Plant Hardiness MapU.S. Department of Agriculture's map of northern California zones {not to scale) showing where palms could be growing.

Where can palm trees grow in Oregon

Near Oregon's coast is normally where you can find palms. And the best option is toward the southern coastal areas.

Coastal Oregon Plant Hardiness MapWashington State coast map for plant hardiness from USDA (not to scale) shows a large swath of suitable area for palms.

Where palms grow in Washington state

Likewise per Oregon, near to coastal Washington areas is where palm trees can grow. As well as not in quite higher elevations, even if nearby the sea.

Washington State's coastal map for Plant HardinessWashington State's coastal map for plant hardiness Courtesy: USDA (not to scale). Lots of possible zoned areas for palms.

Where can palm trees grow in Virginia?

On the other side of the country, there are areas here where palm trees can grow.

Like on Virginia's East Coast, it's along the ocean. Plus you'll notice, the Delmarva Peninsula doesn't get the extreme lows.

Virginia Coast Plant Hardiness mapLimited areas for palms, but some species can push the envelope!
USDA Map Not to Scale

Palms Can Grow in Canada

CANADA? REALLY??

We were heading out for an Alaskan cruise along the inside passage, from Vancouver, Canada. Stopped overnight there for a couple days first.

We walked the Seawall, just under 5-1/4 mile (8.4 km) circle pathway in Vancouver's Stanley Park. We had a pleasant surprise to see several palm trees along the route.

Palm Trees along Sunset Beach in Vancouver CanadaPalm trees along Sunset Beach, to Stanley Park Seawall in Vancouver Canada

Where Can Palm Trees Grow in Canada?

Look to the Southwestern-most localities of the western province of British Columbia.

That's about the only suitable area of Canada to think of growing palm trees. Think of areas nearest sea level, and near waterside. That includes some parts of Vancouver, as well as Vancouver Island.

Including Salt Spring Island, in the Strait of Georgia - As Seen Here.

Where Can Palm Trees Grow in South America?

SOUTH AMERICAN HAS MANY PALM AREAS

The Amazon rain forest covers a good portion of this continent. Many species of palm trees bask in such an area. Lots of them are endemic here.

Travel throughout all the countries, you'll find nearly all territory is suited for where palm trees can grow.

There are two real exceptions. 

Map of South American Plant Hardiness ZonesSouth American Plant Hardiness Zones
Not to Scale

Because mountainous elevations regularly see temperatures well below what palms tolerate. These areas are:

  • Caparaó Mountains in the eastern part of South America
  • The Andes Mountains that line up near the western edge along South America

Where Can Palm Trees Grow in Europe?

Temperate European climates, or those called Mediterranean climates, often have many areas suitable for Growing Palm Trees. Think of cold hearty palm trees for best results, if you plan on growing palms.

When you view a European Hardiness Zone Map, it's really helpful to see where palm trees grow in these areas.

European Map of Hardiness Zones for PlantsEuropean map of plant hardiness zones, Not to Scale.

Palm Friendly Zones in Europe

Palm trees normally can grow in Europe within Zones comparative to USDA 7, 8, 9 & 10. The higher the Zone number, the more apt you are to see successfully growing palm trees in Europe. Where would this be?

Viewing the map, the best growing areas are Zone 10 (dark reddish brown):

  • Much of coastal Spain & Portugal.
  • Southern & most western coast areas of Italy.
  • Southwestern coastline regions of Greece.
  • Most islands & countries of the western Mediterranean Sea, particularly near the coasts.

Several palm species can grow here, such as:

  1. Needle Palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix)
  2. Palmetto (Sabal palmetto)
  3. Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei v.wagnerianus)
  4. Brazilian Needle Palm (Trithrinax brasiliensis)
  5. Cotton Palm (Washingtonia filifera)

Palm tree species may be seen though, in Zones 9 and 10 (orange & dark yellow), depending on The Microclimates.

Where Can Palm Trees Grow in Asia?

Where Can Palm Trees Grow in China?

A good portion of the southeast region of the country is suitable for growing palm trees. Plus the entire island of Taiwan is an appropriate clime for where palm trees can grow.

Hardiness-Zones_china-map.jpg
Key for China's plant growing hardiness zoneMap of China Not to Scale

Can Palms Grow Near the Black Sea?

Geographically speaking (rather than politically), we're pointing to Georgia, where coastal regions correspond to U.S. Zone 8, even some Zone 9.

  • Black Sea Georgian coastal areas have warm, humid climates, on average. Rainfall is rain-forest like, about 177 inches/year.
  1. Winter temperatures average about 48oF/9oC. Certain palms tolerate this, when winter temperatures rarely get to the freezing point.
  2. When it happens, it's momentarily.

For example, the southeastern Black Sea coast city, Batumi, has a record low temperature of 19oF/-7oC. It didn't happen for long!

Are Coastal Areas of the Caspian Sea Good for Palms?

At part of the Eastern side of the Caucus area, it's possible for Growing Palm Trees.

  • The southwestern coast can be warm enough. 
  • For instance, Lankaran Azerbaijan has a somewhat humid climate. Temperatures rank it in USDA Zone 7.
Khan Palace, a Lankaran MuseumA palm grows in front of Khan Palace, the Lankaran Museum of History & Ethnography.

And palm trees grow there! Like in adjacent Baku, Azerbaijan.

Icheri Rapid Transit Station in BakuIcheri Rapid Transit Station in Baku

SUMMARIZING ASIA:

  • Zone 7 climes are in coastal areas of the Caucasus and also in Southern Middle Asia.
  • Zone 8 is in a narrow coastal area of southwestern Crimea where you'll see some palms. Plus in the Caucasus along shoreline of the Black and Caspian Seas.
  • Zone 9 is limited to the southeastern Caucasus seacoast, along the Caspian Sea.

FAQ - Where Can Palm Trees Grow?

Can palm trees grow in New York?

Yes they do grow in New York. At least they can.

But they aren't liable to be lining streets, like you'd see in Miami! They need special care if someone tries them. Like beginning with Cold Hardy Palms, and giving them winter covering. Even some heat if a strong, lengthy freeze is forecast.

For example, I know of someone who has successfully grown multiple Sabal palms in Brooklyn.

What temperature is too cold for palm trees?

For most palms, once it hits a freezing temperature (32oF/0oC), that's their cold toleration limit. They'll begin showing damage.

Yet there are palm species that are more sensitive to cold weather. And on the other hand there are those Cold-Hardy Species that have developed some built-in protective measures. Here's an Explanation for You>

Do palm trees survive in California winters?

Palm trees are surviving many California winters.

Yet this state has many USDA growing zones, many suitable for palm growth. But also with high elevations that aren't suited for growing palms. So the answer is quite variable.

You can See Where Palms Grow in California to view those differences.

Takeaways for - Where can palm trees grow?

Palms can grow in many unexpected places.

There are palms growing in more US States than mentioned here. From social media we've seen palms growing in Minnesota, New York & New Jersey. Probably there are many more areas!

Palms grow in places we wouldn't think of. Non-tropical areas like Norway! These palm trees should be the right palm for growing in colder climes. Those are the cold-hardy palms.

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