Where Do Palm Trees Grow?
Your Authentic Guide

We live in the desert city of Tucson Arizona. Well-known for the giant saguaro cactus. Not so much for species of palm trees.

Prospering palm species do grow in this desert city, all around town. Despite arid conditions, resilient palm trees add that tropical touch to the desert landscape.

Washingtonia Assortment near 1st & River, Tucson

Of course there are other areas where palm tree species do grow! Besides the desert.

A common question we get is: Where Palms Can Grow in the U.S.? Or even in the entire diversity Of North America.

North America Featured on a Globe

In the United States, species of palms grow throughout the South. With that vibe giving you some Top Tropical Places to Travel. Most southern states are in subtropical regions per USDA zones.

Except, these are both in the fully tropical zone:

• Southern Florida (including the Florida Keys) is home to the Needle Palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix), favored in USDA Zone 10a. Amazingly it's also cold-hardy!

1. But many other Kinds of Palm Trees grow there.

• Hawaii features 24 species of the Loulu Palm (genus Pritchardia). The only one native to its islands.

Pritchardia arecina Native to Maui Hawaii - Locally Called Wakiu

In Canada, palm trees are mostly found in the Vancouver area of British Columbia. 

The first time we traveled there, we were amazed to see palms growing! The mild coastal climate allows cold-hardy species like the Windmill Palm to thrive.

Is it Hawaii? No! It's Horseshoe Bay Harbor NW of Vancouver, British Columbia Canada!

Mexico is home to many palm varieties, from the deserts of Baja California to the tropical rainforests.

One, the Mexican Fan Palm is well known in this country. Native in Baja California & the state of Sonora.

Palms Overlooking the Channel to Mainland Mexico from our hotel window in Cozumel.
Just Before We Were Evacuated With Hurricane Wilma on the Way!

The Caribbean offers ideal conditions for numerous palm species. These islands are a paradise for palm enthusiasts!

Palms Overlooking a Beach in Cuba

Central America's lush tropics host a wide range of palm species. Contributing to the region's rich plant biodiversity. From the oceans to the mountain heights.

Tropical Jungle of Palms in Costa Rica, with the Arenal Volcano Backdrop.

Native palm species in South America grow from the Amazon Basin's tropical rainforests to coastal areas of Brazil.

Hotel Beach With A View of Rio, Brazil

When you think of the countries in this Southern Hemisphere continent, every one has many palm tree varieties. Particularly in coastal areas & where they're nearest the equator.

Colombia has An Extraordinary, Tall Palm Tree.

Cocora Valley in Salento, Quindío, Colombia. With its Amazingly Tall Wax Palms: Ceroxylon quindiuense.
We Have a Birds-Eye Tour of the Area for Those Receiving "Life Amid the Palms"
Click to See How You Can Get It!

Palm Tree Groves Like These Don't Exist Just Anywhere!

Many Palms are Native throughout the earth. So many tropical plants grow in unexpected places. Some species of palm trees can tolerate cold weather for a little while.

Europe's only native palm, Chamaerops humilis the European Fan Palm, thrives in Mediterranean climates. Why it's also called the Mediterranean Fan Palm.

Its origins are Mediterranean islands & coastal areas. Because lowest temps there don't often get too low.

Many people in European countries successfully grow Cold-Hardy Palms.

The Mediterranean Palm Tree, a Clustering Palm, Grows Throughout Regions of Europe.

Australia's "Down Under" climates are distinct. Supporting both native and imported palm species. Which do well in coastal and arid regions.

• Most are in tropical areas which receive more rain.
• Drought-resistant species grow in arid areas.
• Southern temperate regions can grow species of cold hardy palms.

A Naturally Growing Palm Along Our Trail Trek
In Berry Springs Recreation Reserve, Northern Territory

In the Middle East, the Date Palm is respected for its Historical Significance. It's suitable for arid environments.

Other drought tolerant, full sun palm species of grow there. One unusual place for palms, is This Island in Dubai. Kinda wild! 😮

Palm Oasis in Wadi, Socotra Island in Yemen

Africa's differing climates, from deserts to tropical rainforests, support a wide range of palm species.

Like the African Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis), important to Africa's economies.

The African Oil Palm With Origins in Western & Central African Tropics

​The Canary Islands are in the Atlantic Ocean, southwest of Morocco.

An original palm has long been growing there. The Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis) is a beautiful palm tree. Very stately with its full crown.

Loving full sun, it's fairly drought tolerant. It does well in 8b Zone deserts.

The Canary Island Date Palm
Native to Those Islands, but Grows Many Places

Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, lays claim to about the highest concentrations of palm trees in the world. With a perfect climates for nearly all palms!

We've heard there's more Indonesian tropical palm species in Southeast Asia than anywhere else.

A Palm Forest, or Grove in Negara Bali Indonesia

The Fossil Record shows palms grew in Southeast Asia way back, 65-million years ago, in the late Cretaceous Era.

Palm on the tropical Beach Shore in Thailand.

New Zealand's native Nikau Palm (Rhopalostylis sapida) is known for its cold-hardiness. It relishes the country's Mediterranean-like climate. They don't tolerate tropical heat at all.

Distinctive because is naturally growing the farthest south of all palm species.

New Zealand has also imported other palms for successful growing.

Meet The Nikau Palm, New Zealand's Unique Native Palm