Palm Trees

When you think of palm trees, what images surface in your mind? For most of us, we see the tropical, single-trunk, iconic coconut palm trees. Have you ever wondered how to grow them and how long it takes to grow a palm tree?

Most palm trees grow about 6 inches to 2 feet per year and can reach heights up to 100 feet tall. The coconut palm tree starts producing coconuts after 6 to 10 years, but they don’t become prolific fruiters until they reach 15 to 20 years old. Palm trees have a lifespan between 60 to 80 years.

If you’re looking to grow your own coconut palm your search is over. In this article, we will also go over what to expect during growth stages and any hiccups that could be in store for your palm tree along the way!

Choosing The Best Palm Tree Speices For Your Area

While most of us think of the tall, tropical palms that line the boulevards in California, New Orleans or Florida, others may conjure visions of tropical islands in the middle of the ocean. Did you know there are thousands of palm species?

You may have some potted palms inside your house like the parlor palm, or paradise palm. There are even shrubs and vines that reside in the Arecaceae Family of plants. Some palm trees even grow in Canada and Great Britain, so they aren’t only found in tropical regions. Tropical pine trees can’t grow in cold areas, like New York for instance.

Since there are so many varieties of this versatile plant, we will focus on the coconut palm tree. Depending on which hardiness zone you live in, you too can grow your own palm tree!

Palm trees aren’t just about aesthetics, either. Check out what things palm trees are good for and why they’re important to sway your decision on growing one!

Check Your Local Nursery For What Pine Trees They Recommend For Your Area

Even if you live in very cold regions, there are palm trees that can grow outside. The Dwarf Palmetto for one can survive winter temps that get down into the negatives!

If you’re looking for that tropical feel, but live in a cold wasteland, check your local nursery. They may have the palm you’re looking for.

There are also plenty of varieties and species that are sold as small houseplants. Some palm trees can even be grown as bonsai trees. Whatever your situation, there are at least a few types of palm trees you can enjoy inside, and possibly even outside!

First Step: Propagating A Palm Tree

Now let’s get into the meat of it. You can grow a palm tree from a coconut you buy at the store. Just stay away from the typical, brown, dried-out coconuts you’re most likely going to see.

You may need to find an organic store, an ethnic grocery store, or one that specializes in whole foods. The coconut you’re looking for is one straight from the tree with the thick, green husk still on it.

Most stores sell coconuts, but they are processed to make it easier to get to the meat and the juice (coconut milk/water) inside. But these coconuts aren’t viable seeds. They have been dried out and have been sitting in a warehouse, in a truck, or on the shelves for weeks.

Palm Trees Can Only Grow From Seeds

Palm trees don’t take to asexual propagation like many other plants. They don’t graft, and can’t be grown from cuttings.

You also can’t grow more palms by division, which leaves growing them from seeds as the best way to get a palm tree.

It’s one of the reasons purchasing palm trees can become so expensive. The other reason is it takes a long time for most palm seeds (or pods as they are often called) to germinate. We’ll get more into that very soon.

Palm Seeds Are Very Perishable

Whether you’re looking at palm nuts, little red seeds that resemble holly berries, or coconuts, palm tree pods are very perishable. Often they only last a few weeks before they dry out too much to be viable.

Where Can You Get Palm Tree Pods/Seeds?

You can purchase various types of seeds from certain nurseries, online, or you can gather your own. Silver Date Palm Set of 50 Seeds are hardy up to zone 5 and will provide you with years of tropical beauty in your landscape.

This is why you need the freshest coconuts you can find. They also need to be very ripe. If you pluck them straight off the tree, they may not be ready to grow a new tree.

If you are foraging for your own palm pods, look for ones that have fallen off the tree. And then gather as many as you can. Even ripe palm pods only have about a 20% germination rate.

How To Tell Good Palm Pods From Bad Ones

Finding the right palm seeds/pods isn’t that straightforward, but you can narrow it down reasonably. You want to look for solid, dense-feeling seeds and pods.

When choosing coconuts either from the store or you are gathering them, you want the coconuts with the green, fibrous husk still on them. If they are brown or dried out, they have been sitting too long.

Pick them up and shake them. You want to hear the water sloshing around inside the nut. Leave behind any that don’t you can’t hear the water inside of.

If you are collecting smaller palm nuts or seeds, discard any that appear rotten, have holes in them, or are very light (in weight) compared to others.

Once you get them home, one way to check for viability is to do the float test. Fill a bucket with water and drop your palm pods into the container. The ones that float are probably not going to germinate.

I say “probably” because this process of elimination can be somewhat unreliable. Some palm pods are supposed to float so they can cross the ocean and grow new trees. If they all float, then it’s likely you still have viable palm pods.

Second Step: Germination (May Take Up To 4 Months)

You’ll need patience for the germination game. Palm pods can take months or even years to germinate depending on the species. Luckily you don’t need to stratify them.

Stratification is the process of artificially overwintering the seeds. For some seeds, you have to store them in a refrigerator, or in a cold (not freezing) area for several weeks. Many tree seeds need a cold winter season to force them to germinate.

Palm seeds will not make it if they go through a cold winter, so you can skip the stratification process and plant them straight into the ground. That is after you give them a good soaking.

If you’re using a coconut to grow your palm tree, it may take up to four months for it to start sprouting. So you will definitely need some patience here.

Spend A Few Days Soaking

Once you have your coconut, or a few you want to plant, you’ll want to soak them in water. Coconuts will float, so you’ll have to use rocks, bricks, or weights of some sort to keep them completely submerged.

Soaking helps to soften the tough husk and tells the coconut that it’s time to sprout. You’ll need to let them soak for three to four days.

Next, you need to either put the soaked coconuts in resealable, zipper bags or a container that will hold the coconut and a cup of water. Then find a dark, warm place and store until you see sprouts coming out of the coconut.

If you have space near a water heater to store it, that would be a perfect place with proper warmth to store your coconut until it starts to germinate. Be sure to check on it weekly. This can take a few months for it to show growth.

Once you see sprouts coming out of the top and bottom, don’t move it yet. You’ll want to keep it in the “incubator room” until the shoot is about the size of your finger, and the roots are six to eight inches long.

While you’re waiting for it to reach these measurements, wrap the roots in damp paper towels. This keeps the roots damp and protected while they continue to grow just a little bit more.

Third Step: Time To Plant Your Palm Tree

Now you will need a place that has sandy, well-draining soil. Coconut trees need a lot of water and nutrients, but they can’t stand soaking their roots in water. You can also start your coconut tree in a container as long as it has plenty of drainage holes.

Your pot should be able to hold at least ten gallons of soil. You can purchase well-draining soil such as 10 Quart Hoffman Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil. It comes in a set of four, so you’ll easily have ten gallons full of fast-draining cactus soil, perfect for your coconut sprout.

You can also make your own mix by using a regular potting mix, a bit of gravel, and sand.

You need one part potting mix, with one part sand, and then add in a few handfuls of fine gravel per every ten gallons. Mix it well so everything is evenly distributed.

Let The Top Show

Whether you’re planting your coconut in the ground or a container you need to leave the top third of the coconut exposed.

Don’t plant the entire coconut in the ground. You don’t want the sprout to start rotting.

Out in the world, coconuts usually start in the sand and stay partially exposed until the tree has used all the nutrients around the pod. It’s best to keep the coconut pod growing as naturally as possible.

If you’re planting it outdoors, putting it in a raised bed will help with drainage issues. Especially if your ground has a lot of clay, is dense, holds a lot of water, or you’re in a low-lying area.

You will want to minimize movement during this critical growth phase. If you’ve changed your mind about the placement of your palm tree and feel like moving it, however, check out the best steps for transporting palm trees.

What To Expect During The First Year Growing A Palm Tree

Palm trees need lots of sun, so plant them (or move the container to an area that receives) all day sunlight.

For extra protection, if you’re planting them directly into the soil, you can put up a temporary greenhouse. Push three to four stakes into the ground around the coconut. Bamboo stakes work great here if you have access to them.

Then wrap it with thin, clear plastic wrap to create a greenhouse environment. Be sure to leave yourself a way to deliver water as you’ll have to water it frequently. Once the palm sprout is a little over a foot tall, you can remove the temporary greenhouse.

In addition to plenty of sunlight, coconut trees need warm temperatures. They do best when the temps are in the high 70s and 80s Fahrenheit. Coconut palms cannot tolerate cold temperatures, and freezing temps are a game ender.

If temperatures are threatening to reach near freezing, you should cover the tree. Especially if it’s only a few years old. A fabric such as burlap or muslin will help protect from a light frost and protect your tree from the occasional cold snap.

Water The Palm Tree Frequently During Year 1

For the first year, you need to water the sprouting palm tree about two times per week. Give it a good soaking so the water penetrates the roots before it all washes away. The best way to accomplish this deep, draining watering is to use a soaker hose.

For small spaces, this 1/2’’ Soaker Hose 10 Ft is a great choice. It’s only ten feet long, which is just enough space to wrap around your coconut seedling.

Turn it on, let it slowly soak the ground and your palm tree gets a deep drink of water without staying wet too long.

Because of the big husk surrounding the coconut, you don’t have to fertilize it for the first year. The husk breaks down and supplies the tree with all the nutrients it needs for its first growing season.

If you’re planting the palm tree outside, the University of Hawaii reports that coconut palms thrive in areas with more than 60inches of rain, so just make sure you’re watering a bunch!

I highly recommend taking a peak at our guide on watering coconut trees to learn more about properly watering your tree!

Watch Out For Common Coconut Palm Pests

Coconut palms usually don’t have to worry about too many pests. They are hardy trees that can usually withstand insect invaders with minimal damage. While the trees are young though, insects can cause pretty significant damage.

Keep on the lookout for aphids, caterpillars, and the red palm mite that are destructive to palm trees during the first year. Caterpillars are easily controlled by plucking them off the leaves and disposing of them.

Aphids and mites can usually be found on the undersides of the leaves. There they pierce the leaves and suck out the fluids leaving yellow and in large infestations, brown, crispy leaves.

All of these insects can be treated using horticultural oil, or a mixture of water and dish soap. Just spray the leaves—top and bottom—and the insects themselves to get rid of them. You will probably have to spray the tree every couple of days to keep newer generations controlled.

How Tall Will My Coconut Grow During The First Year?

Coconut palm trees are fast, vigorous growers in the first years. They have to grow strong fast because of their native climate. They often have to withstand tropical storms and hurricanes on a yearly basis.

In the first year, with the proper lighting, well-draining soil, and plenty of water, your palm tree could grow more than a foot, to three feet tall.

According to the University of Florida, your palm won’t look like it’s growing very much in the first year so be patient. During this time most of the growing energy is diverted to growing and channeling deep roots. Just be sure to water it frequently during the first months to a year!

How To Keep Your Coconut Palm Healthy For The Next Several Years

After the first year, your coconut palm tree is becoming more established. There may not be as many pests or fungus that affect healthy palm trees, but they still need to be watered regularly. In addition to this, now it’s time to start adding fertilizer to your palm tree.

Keep an eye on the soil around your palm tree after the first year. When it starts to dry out, go ahead and give it some water. As they get older, they will require less frequent watering, unless they are starting to produce fruit, then they will require much more water.

Coconut trees are heavy feeders and will suffer if they don’t get enough nutrients. The nutrients coconut palms need the most include phosphorus, nitrogen, manganese, and boron.

According to the Clemson Cooperative Extension, palm trees are susceptible to nitrogen, magnesium, manganese, and potassium deficiencies. Yellowing, spotting, or streaking of the fronds will appear when the plants have these deficiencies.

Using a good quality palm food like this Miracle-Gro Palm Tree Food, 20 lb can take the guesswork out of fertilization. Apply it every two months and spread it around the width of the tree’s canopy to keep it healthy.

A good rule of thumb is to use a pound of plant food for every 100 square feet of ground.

Want to plant something else under your palm tree? Check out some of the most beautiful plants to put under your palm tree!

Will My Coconut Palm Produce Flowers?

Palm trees do produce flowers. Some produce flowers every year, while some will flower only once in their life and then promptly start to die. Most palm tree flowers are small and inconspicuous, so don’t go looking for beautiful, extravagant blooms.

Coconut palm trees will start to flower after about 4 to 6 years of age according to the University of Florida. To produce coconuts these flowers need to be pollinated by bees, butterflies, or bats. You don’t need two separate trees to accomplish pollination, you just need a few visitors to transfer the pollen.

After the flowers are pollinated the tree will start to make little coconuts. The first couple of years after the tree starts to produce coconuts, it will produce smaller numbers of fruits until a few years later. They typically produce in peak numbers at the ages of 15 to 20 years old.

Compared to most fruit and nut trees which don’t produce their first fruit until they are 20 to 30 years old, coconut trees are early producers! Even in the early years, you will get dozens of coconuts. Fully mature, prime coconut trees often produce up to 200 coconuts per tree.

Imagine all the things you can do with all that coconut meat. Fresh coconut shrimp, coconut cream pies, pina coladas, and many more!

When To Harvest Coconuts

It can take anywhere from seven months up to a full year for the coconuts to get ripe enough to harvest. They will often ripen at different times as well.

If you want more of the coconut water inside, harvest them closer to the early stages of ripeness. For the most liquid, harvest your coconuts at seven to nine months. If you want sweeter coconut meat, wait until the coconuts have hung on the tree for a year, or harvest them once they have fallen to the ground.

Managing Your Palm Tree Ten Years And Beyond

After your coconut tree has reached the decade mark, you know how to take care of it. Continue to water it as needed, more so when it has coconuts in the canopy. You can also drop back to fertilizing it once every three months because the roots should be wide and deep enough to get more nutrients.

At this age, if the palm tree gets any insect pests, it can usually fight them off without any lasting damage. The only pest or ailment you really need to watch out for is a called Lethal Yellow (LY).

It was very rampant in the 1960s and 70s and caused a lot of damage to many species of palm trees. Signs of LY on palm trees include yellowing leaves, and dropping fruit, which eventually lead to the demise of the tree.

It can be treated by an arborist, but they’ll have to administer the medication every four months. Once you start treatment thought, you’ll have to continue the treatment for the rest of the tree’s life. If your tree comes down with LY, it may be easier and more cost-effective to remove the palm tree.

We do something similar to manage cytospora on the Norway Spruces near the edge of our home.

If you want to transport your palm tree incase you didn’t like your initial planting spot, take a look at our guide with steps for transporting your palm tree!

How Long Do Palm Trees Live?

If you’re keeping a coconut tree indoors you will not see any coconuts from it, and it will only live for about five to ten years. They truly thrive outdoors in the tropical heat and humidity. Planted outdoors your coconut palm tree will last up to 80 years.

Some species of palm trees only live to be 25 years old, while some can live over 100 years. Whichever type of palm you grow, you will have that tropical feeling whenever you see it for many years.

Wrapping It Up

While palm trees can be a little difficult to start, it’s the only way to propagate them. They grow in a way that makes cutting and grafting nearly impossible.

While you can occasionally find them already growing in a nursery, there’s a certain satisfaction in starting a tree from a seed. Just think of the bragging rights you’ll have when you show everyone you grew your own coconut palm from a grocery store coconut.

Now that you know how to grow your own coconut palm, and what to expect through the years, give it a shot. Your patience will be rewarded.

References

Barot, Sébastien, Jacques Gignoux, and Jean-Claude Menaut. “Demography of a savanna palm tree: predictions from comprehensive spatial pattern analyses.” Ecology 80.6 (1999): 1987-2005.

Hairuddin, Muhammad Asraf, Nooritawati Md Tahir, and Shah Rizam Shah Baki. “Overview of image processing approach for nutrient deficiencies detection in Elaeis Guineensis.” 2011 IEEE international conference on system engineering and technology. IEEE, 2011.

Adib, NAN Mohd, and S. Daliman. “Conceptual framework of smart fertilization management for oil palm tree based on IOT and deep learning.” IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. Vol. 842. No. 1. IOP Publishing, 2021.

Al-Deeb, Mohammad Ali. “Date palm insect and mite pests and their management.” Dates production, processing, food, and medicinal values (2012): 113-128.

Tsai, James H. “Lethal yellowing of palms.” Plant Diseases of Viral, Viroid, Mycoplasma and Uncertain Etiology. CRC Press, 2019. 83-94.

You may love your palm tree— adore it even. But there may have also been a time or two you’ve considered removing it. If you’ve found yourself wondering if you should cut down your palm tree, you aren’t alone.

You should cut down your palm tree if it has insect infestations, is too large, has rot, structural concerns, or is causing too much needed maintenance. Palm trees can cause issues during intense storms, and should be removed when they have the potential to fall.

Palm trees can be a great addition to your space, but you have to know when it’s the right time for them to go. Stick around to learn about when and why you might cut down your tree!

Your Palm Tree Is Already On It’s Way Out

Though there are a lot of reasons that you might have to cut your palm tree down, rot or another similar issue can be one of the most prevalent. If anything, it’s the first that comes to mind.

If you can catch it early enough, you may be lucky enough to save your palm tree. Affected parts of a tree can often be removed by pruning, which allows you to take away any affected branches without having to cut the entire tree down.

Palm trees have leaves known as fronds. The fronds form a circle around the top of the tree in what is known as the crown.

Crown rot is a major issue in palm trees, but removing affected fronds can stop disaster in its tracks!

Try the Fiskars Bypass Pruning Shears to help you trim away any areas that have started to get worse. This can be an easy process with the right tools, and as long as the problem is caught before it has spread to other parts of your tree. 

If it is too late to just trim a little bit away, or if the issue is already in the later stages, it might be time to remove your palm tree.

You can always call a local arborist to check for what’s affecting the tree and before pulling the metaphorical plug on your palm tree.

Your Palm Tree Is Too Messy

You may expect that your palm tree will be a pretty clean and mess-free tree.

Right? Not always.

It depends on the variety of palm tree you have, of course, but remember that certain types of palm tree will bear fruit. When that fruit drops, it can quickly cause a sticky mess. 

If your palm tree produces fruit, watch for when it gets ripe.  If you harvest the fruit before it drops, you can prevent a major mess.

However, if your goal is solely to limit fruit to prevent a mess, it may be best to think about tree removal. 

Fruit bearing trees will bring you the same dilemmas year after year and the solution is to either adapt or remove the cause of the mess.

Berries from certain varieties of palm trees, including those known as acai, can make quite a mess. 

Here are a few considerations if you are not planning to harvest the fruits of your palm tree:

• Pets: Palm berries are not toxic but they may not agree with Fido’s stomach!
• Your Car:  Getting berries all over your car is not ideal, especially if you’re leaving it parked for a while. 

If you are anxious about your palm tree wreaking havoc on the car during your absence, prepare yourself with a bottle of Goo Gone Automotive Cleaner. Give it a try if things are getting sticky before you vow to tear down the tree.

• Sidewalks:  I mean, have you ever seen an acai bowl? Those berries are DARK with a capital D! That means that their stains will be, too. 

Some good news is that you can actually remove the flowers and fruits from your palm tree if you’d like. 

In fact, this will allow your tree to take the energy it was directing toward these areas and repurpose it to help the tree maintain its health and overall growth. 

If this seems like the step you want to take, try out the DocaPole 6-24 Foot Double-Duty Telescoping Extension Pole + Go Saw pruning tool.  This will help you target smaller areas of growth on the tree.  Preventing the fruit from growing is one way to keep your yard fruit-free!

Now, if this still sounds like too much maintenance overall, that may be a sign that it’s time to go ahead and take down the tree.

Say that the fruity mess is getting on your car or damaging lawn furniture. This could be an indication that the problem has passed being a little mess and has become a full-blown issue.

Your Palm Tree’s Roots Are Too Big

Roots can be annoying to mess with, but they can also cause issues that impact other parts of your space.

According to Clemson University, palm roots will usually extend 30 to 50 feet or more out from the trunk of the tree itself. Palm roots are flat and tend to be more surface level than many trees you may be used to. 

So, what are the issues with this?

Unlike other trees, the roots of a palm tree aren’t going to cause foundational or structural damage, such as breaking concrete. They won’t grow under your house and suddenly break through the floor or the siding. 

They will, however, create tripping hazards. This is not a dealbreaker by any means, but is something to consider. 

Additionally, the reach of a palm tree’s root system may not damage foundations, but it can do some damage beneath the surface. 

If you have pipes near the roots of your palm tree, the roots may wrap around the pipes. This won’t cause instant damage, but over time can lead to expensive issues.

General maintenance can usually keep palm tree roots under control.  But if you fear your tree is causing issues for your piping system, contact a professional to come to take a look. 

If there is a bigger issue, it may unfortunately be time to cut down your tree. While this is not ideal when it comes to a healthy, otherwise thriving tree, it is sometimes necessary for the good of your space.

Again, reaching out to a professional to determine the best course of action is something I strongly recommend. This will also help you know that you made the best decision you could.

Your Palm Tree Requires Too Much Upkeep

There are so many factors that could tie into this one. From root issues to messiness, rot to safety, and others that we haven’t yet discussed, maintenance may just become more than its worth.

Any of these reasons on their own are enough to make you consider your options, but if you have any combination of factors piling against you, it’s fair to say you’re probably at your wit’s end.

You may feel like the problems with the palm tree will never end, or like a solution is just out of the question. While this is sometimes true, often a quick break to assess the situation can help you make a plan of action. 

If you still feel like things are just too out of control and not worth the hassle, that is a valid reason to remove your palm tree.

We all have a point where we have to adjust our priorities, and if your palm tree falls to the bottom of the list, it may be time to say goodbye. 

Palm trees are relatively easy trees, but their height can also make maintenance tricky. If the canopy needs to be trimmed and there is no way you can get up there to do it year after year (or have someone else help) it is completely fair to say that the tree may need to go.

Maintaining a plant or other parts of your space is important, but not more so than personal safety. 

If you feel that any maintenance or solutions for your tree require more than you can give, call a professional to help you decide on your next steps.

If yard maintenance is already causing you a headache, you’ll want to avoid these 17 Plants Not to Plant Under Your Palm Tree!

There Are Insect Infestations In Your Palm Tree

Insect infestations may not be as common in your palm tree as they are in other species of tree. 

However, this can still be a concern, especially when it comes to one species of beetle in particular. If you have a tree that is already weakened in any way, the problem may only get worse.

Red Palm Weevils

So, if this little critter is so bad, well…what is it, exactly?

According to the University of California Riverside, the red palm weevil is widely considered the most damaging insect pest of palms worldwide. 

Though this species is typically attracted to unhealthy or otherwise weakened palm trees, it can target perfectly healthy palms as well. 

The larvae of these beetles will feed within the growing points of the tree. This ends up causing deeper tissue damage over time.  The extensive damage severely weakens the palm trunk over time.

What might palm damage from a red palm weevil look like? Here is what you can expect to see with a red palm weevil infestation:

• Tunnels on the trunk or at the base of the fronds
• Gnawing sounds’ from the larvae feeding inside, if the infestation is severe enough
• Appearance of chewed plant material with a particular, fermented odor
• Oozing fluids from the tunnels on the tree
• Empty casings and dead adult beetles around the base of the tree
• A weakened tree that may start leaning, a palm crown that topples, or a trunk that breaks

If you have a weevil infestation, it might be better for the palm tree to be removed than to keep it.

Tropical Storms Make You Nervous For Your Palm Tree

If you are in an area that can host palm trees, you may also be in the path of potential tropical storms. 

While palm trees don’t pose the same sort of threats as others when it comes to weather damage, you may still have your concerns. 

A palm tree doesn’t have heavy branches like an oak tree, so you don’t have to worry about losing limbs through an upstairs window during a lightning storm.  But strong winds could still uproot this tree and send it right into your home. 

If your palm tree is too close for comfort to any buildings or structures, you may consider removing it to prepare for potential damage before it happens.

To decide whether your tree is too close or not, or if it’d be able to cause more damage than it’s worth, call an arborist or other professional that may be able to help you make that call.

If you feel don’t have a good feeling about it, don’t wait to be proven right.

Especially if your tree has been damaged or weakened by other factors like insects, rot, or any other external factors, prioritize removal.

Maybe your tree was already damaged in a storm and you’re afraid of the results if another storm occurs. 

Whatever the reason, if your tree has the potential to cause damage, get it checked out by an arborist.

The Neighbors Are Complaining About Your Palm Tree

Say that your palm tree hasn’t been storm damaged, nor has there ever been an infestation that you know of. Maybe it’s a safe distance from the house and piping, and things are okay overall.

What on earth could cause you to remove the tree?

Unfortunately, the court of public opinion can sometimes prevail.

Say that your neighbors are complaining because your tree hangs over their property line or drops berries near their car. Maybe they just don’t love the look of the tree.

This may all be annoying chatter, or it could develop into a more backed-up argument.

Some HOA (homeowner’s associations) will have rules about things like house color, mailboxes, and yes, even trees.

Depending on where you live, this may not always come to the forefront of discussion. However, if complaints are filed about a tree that technically violates rules, things may change.

If it is discovered that the tree fails to meet any regulations like location, size, spacing, or any other technicalities, you may be asked to remove your tree.

Between that and a recurring fine, tree removal may just be the way to go, sadly.

Your HOA might like your palm tree better if your landscaping has more curb appeal. Check out our guide on the 9 Beautiful Plants To Put Under Your Palm Tree.

Your Palm Tree Doesn’t Look Right

Sometimes, the cost of maintaining a tree becomes more than the tree is worth. Other times, you may notice that your tree is beginning to decline but cannot pinpoint a specific cause. 

If that sounds familiar, it may end up being a case of solving the question, “Why doesn’t my tree look right?”  This may end up costing more time and money than you have. 

It may be a bummer to throw in the towel, but if you don’t have the time or resources to put toward a tree that is on the decline for a mystery reason, that’s just that.

To take care of yourself and other responsibilities, you may determine that the palm has got to go. It’s sad, but it’s also okay.

The Best Time To Cut Down Your Palm Tree 

No matter what the reason for removing your tree may be, you should be prepared for when it’s time to say goodbye.

So, part of the timing will have to do with the reason you have to cut down your tree. If you have an infestation, rot, or are avoiding storm damage, the answer may need to be as soon as possible. 

Otherwise, the dormant season is going to be the best time to cut down your tree if the motivation is solely preferential, or in response to some nagging neighbors.

Early spring, or even late winter, are the best times to cut down your palm tree because there will be less overall bloom or growth.

If you are concerned about the timing, but think you can wait a while, you should contact an arborist to confirm that your tree does not need to be removed immediately. They’ll give you the best tips for your specific variety!

Why You SHOULDN’T Cut Down Your Palm Tree

While some things like curb appeal and frustrated neighbors made the list of reasons to cut down your palm tree, I want to mention that the choice is always up to you. 

Consider the value that your tree has— if it is otherwise healthy and stable.

Sometimes, trees have more value than we give them credit for and the work to maintain your tree may be worth it in the end.

Cutting down tour palm tree might now be the right move. You can learn more about the things palm trees are good for inside our in-depth guide!

If your tree has been around for a long time, maybe it’s in every picture of your backyard that you’ve ever sent your parents. Maybe your household loves running around it and using it as the default hide-and-seek hiding spot!

Maybe there isn’t a ton of sentimental value, but it adds character to your yard that you may be sorry to see go.

Whatever it is, take a moment to think about the technical reasons to remove your tree versus the more day-to-day benefits it might provide.

If your tree is a hazard, or struggling beyond help, that is a different story than a tree that gets messy or blocks your neighbor’s sunlight for a little while each afternoon.

Now you know when it’s time to let your palm tree go. Yes, even if you love your tree, it may be time to say goodbye.

Let’s go over some of the most common reasons that people cut their palm trees down:

• Your palm tree is rotted
• Your palm tree is too messy
• Your palm tree’s roots are too big
• Your palm tree requires too much upkeep
• Insect infestations in your palm tree
• Tropical storms are making you concerned
• The neighbors are complaining
• The palm tree just doesn’t look right

Keep in mind that it may depend on the situation, but the best time to cut your tree down is most often late winter and early spring. The dormant season will allow you to most easily, and successfully, remove your palm tree.

Call a professional arborist if you have concerns or if your tree is causing safety issues and needs to come down ASAP.

If this article resonated with you, I’m sorry to say that it might be time to cut down your palm tree. 

This isn’t the most fun step to take, but it’s another part of your palm tree journey.

References

Ghori, W., Saba, N., Jawaid, M., & Asim, M. (2018, June). A review on date palm (phoenix dactylifera) fibers and its polymer composites. In IOP conference series: materials science and engineering (Vol. 368, No. 1, p. 012009). IOP Publishing.

Smith, Kevin T. 2013. Do you believe in palm trees? Landscape Hawaii. January|February 2013: 14-16.

Palm trees are a common tree in tropical and subtropical climates, but what do you know about them as a resource? If you want to learn what palm trees are good for and why those things are important, let’s start with the basics.

Palm trees can produce oil, lumber, woven materials, multiple food sources, drinks, insulation, and so much more. In many regions, palm trees are a vital resource used in everyday life, often for a plethora of these purposes. Along with being extremely useful, they are a beautiful sight.

Before we dive deeper into the properties of a palm tree, let’s quickly talk about the types of palm trees and what you may expect from them. Let’s get a move on!

What Are Palm Trees?

While there are over 2600 species of palm trees, the gist is the same when it comes to this type of tree. 

Most commonly, palm trees produce dates or coconuts, but peaches and acai could even grow on some species of palms. 

These woody perennials have a single stem and often get quite tall, being classified as a tree once they reach 20 feet tall or more.

These basic facts are great, but we know the real reason you are here… what are they good for?

Follow along, and we’ll tell you all about it!

9 Of The Things Palm Trees Are Good For

Okay, so you may know palm trees produce fruit, but what type? You may think of these trees as a provider of shade on a tropical island or have seen them as they line the streets of Los Angeles in every movie, well, ever.

We want to tell you about some of the lesser-known benefits and uses of palm trees as they are utilized by people all around the world!

These trees are pretty darn cool and we’re excited to share with you what makes them so great.

They Produce Fruits Like Coconuts And Dates

You may automatically think of coconuts when you think of palm trees, right? Of course, this tropical tree will have a coconut or two hanging from its canopy. You will also notice coconut trees are planted slightly away from each other so they can thrive.

In cartoons, a coconut falls from a palm tree and hits someone and in TV shows about deserted islands, the main characters always find coconuts to sustain them. 

Coconuts and palm trees must go hand in hand!

While this is true, it’s specific to coconut palms, a specific subset of palm trees. Other types of palm trees can produce other types of fruit.

Isn’t A Coconut Not A Fruit?

As a quick note before we dive further into the other fruits that a palm tree may produce, we want to remind you about the fact that coconuts are a fruit, but they are also technically a seed, and also can be categorized as a nut. 

Officially, this food falls under the designation of ‘drupe’, so there is a hard fruit enclosed in a hard and stony covering.

Palm Trees Produce Many Edible Fruits Besides Coconuts

According to Palomar College, there are many edible palm fruits you may find, depending on the type of palm tree you are most often around.

While the coconut palm, cocos nucifera, produces coconuts, there are also pejibaye palm, date palm, African oil palm, jelly palm, and more types of palm trees. 

Pejibaye Palm Fruit

When it comes to food, the pejibaye palm, bactris gasipaes, can be found in its native Costa Rica. It is often referred to as the peach palm because of the peach-like clusters of fruit that can be derived from this species. 

Date Palm Fruit

Native to desert regions of Northern Africa, the date palm, Phoenix dactylifera, receives water from springs or underground sources and produces the dates that are becoming so popular as an alternative to sugars and sweeteners. 

Date syrup, date sugar, and dates themselves are a wonderful way to fulfill your sweet tooth without making candy or using lots of corn-syrup products.

Dates are nutritious and delicious, creating a great snack that you can buy almost anywhere. Try these Natural Delights Pitted Medjool Dates and try them for yourself!

Jelly Palm Fruit

The jelly palm, butia capitata, is native to Brazil and produces yellow-orange drupes (yep, there’s that word again!) not dissimilar to a coconut but whose flavor and texture are most comparable to that of an apricot. 

Jelly palm drupes are most often used to make jellies or jams, along with desserts like cakes, pies, cobblers, and other sweet treats.

Of course, this can always be eaten fresh and enjoyed as its own treat, as well!

Palm Oil

You may have heard of this one, and wonder about the controversy surrounding it. We’ll let you do your own research, but deforestation is the biggest concern with this one. 

Palm oil itself is a great product that is used in many other food products, detergents, cosmetics, and ever so slightly in the biofuel industry.

According to Wellesley College, the issue lies in the increasing demand for this efficient and widely used vegetable oil.

Still, palm oil is one of the primary products consumed around the world that comes from palm trees, so it would be remiss of us to not acknowledge its incredible uses. 

It has been noted as one of the most common vegetable oils and, though it is used in food consumption in the United States, its most noteworthy contribution is to the cosmetics industry where it is used to create the texture of makeup products loved and used by so many. 

Palm oil is something that we all use, whether or not we always realize it.

Palm Leaves Have A Variety Of Uses

Falling palm tree leaves causing you an issue? Not to worry, we have a solution for that!

Fallen palm leaves are the perfect natural product to turn into mulch that is not only durable and long-lasting but will save you from loads of extra cleanup or transferring fallen leaves to a compost area.

Palm fronds (leaves) decompose slowly, so they are a great option for creating palm thatch roofs. These can be used for sheds and other outdoor spaces, but when properly created, can even work for homes.

In fact, there are regions of certain countries that primarily use palm thatch roofing as a standard practice. We’ll talk more about construction soon, though.

Palm fronds can grow to be quite large, and are used in many places as a method of shading crops, shading outdoor gathering spaces, or creating a canopy over a porch. This is done in the same way you may often see canvas cloth used on the back deck of homes.

Garden fencing is another thing that can be created by using sticks, palm fronds, and bits of wire or even strips of other palm fronds to tie the fencing structure into place.

In places like Belize, it is very common to make woven baskets and other products from the leaves of a palm tree, which leads us to how crafts and other goods can come from these trees.

If you’re wondering, tropical palm trees can only grow in certain places.

Crafts And Goods Using Palm Tree Products

Basket weaving is a common practice around the world, where many materials and natural resources are used. 

Palm fronds make a great, durable, and easy-to-use material for basket weaving. If we can use them for roofs, we can use them for baskets and other household goods. 

Feeling crafty? You can always use palm fronds to create floral arrangements for events. Place the fronds as the centerpieces on a table or attach them to doorways to add a beautiful green color and an appealing texture to your event. 

There are also many tutorials and classes on how to braid palm fronds to create ornaments, placeholders, fun children’s crafts, and more. 

As useful as palm fronds are in daily settings and, for more functional purposes, they can also offer a fun way to make some crafts that will last or to create containers for the home. 

You can even buy utensils like these palm wood spoons for a cheap, sustainable product that’ll last.

Palm Trees Aid In Wax Production

Remember how palm trees can produce beverages and oils? Well, that oil can turn into wax with the proper processing. 

Palm wax is most typically gathered from Brazil and countries in Southeast Asia, where many palm trees are native to the regions. 

According to NC State University, palm wax is made from the oil that is extracted from palm leaves or fruit.

Essentially, the oil is extracted first from the tree before it undergoes processes of sterilization and clarification. Then it is purified and ready to be sold or distributed as a wax.

Palm Trees Are Used To Heat Homes

In some parts of the world, the oil from palm trees is used as fuel to heat homes. 

This is a good practice because there is less smoke and, also, less carbon residue. 

While fuel production from palm oil is not something that likely affects you on an individual level, this is a big part of the use of palm trees on a global scale at the moment.

Now, palm wood heat efficiency is a whole other story and it’s not one of the best firewoods.

Palm Wood Is Used In Construction

So, like we mentioned a few sections up, palm fronds decompose slowly, which makes them a prime option for roofing of any type. Needing a roof over your chicken coop? Here’s a cheap, natural option.

However, if you are interested in how you can use palm trees while constructing your home, don’t overlook palm thatch roofing.

These can last quite a few years and you’ll either want to call an expert or watch at least 5 hours of online videos before attempting this for a home. It can be the right environmentally sound option for anyone looking to be as sustainable as possible.

Palm tree timber is often used in homes and boats in Southeast Asia, and especially its surrounding islands.

Palm Trees Can Be Used As Insulation

Panels created from palm trees are not only great construction materials but they are also used for many types of insulation.

Whether you are hoping to create a sound barrier for a room or studio or keep your space regulated temperature-wise, this could be a splendid choice.

Palm panels are eco-friendly, lightweight, and can add a cool look to a space if you’re thinking about the visuals. 

Create a lightweight door that keeps sound in and heat out, for example, and you’ll be set!

That’s All We’ve Got!

Alright, that’s a wrap for today.

Remember that palm trees are an incredible type of tree and can be used for a myriad of reasons.

Whether you’re looking into home decor, home construction, food, drinks, or fuel, palm trees are a contender for your next selection. 

You can drink some palm wine while eating a coconut pie, sitting in a palm wood chair under your palm frond roof, next to your woven palm basket while you look past your open palm-paneled door to the beach where a live palm tree lives. If you want, that is.

So, the next time you see a palm tree, keep in mind that it is good for many reasons, including but not limited to:

• Fruit and Drupe Production
• Palm Oil
• Leaves with Many Properties and Uses
• Wax Production
• Heat Production
• Crafts and Goods
• Construction
• Insulation

This incredible tree has so many uses in indigenous and local communities in the regions the different species originate from, and we can always look to see how we may better utilize palm trees and all they offer us (aside from their general beauty and ambiance, of course.)

Thank you for sticking with us as usual!

I hope this article helps you understand the uses and importance of palm trees. 

For now, good luck continuing along your own tree journey. See you next time!

References

Ali, M. E., & Alabdulkarem, A. (2017). On thermal characteristics and microstructure of a new insulation material extracted from date palm trees surface fibers. Construction and Building Materials, 138, 276-284.

Awad, S., Zhou, Y., Katsou, E., Li, Y., & Fan, M. (2021). A critical review on date palm tree (Phoenix Dactylifera L.) fibres and their uses in bio-composites. Waste and Biomass Valorization, 12(6), 2853-2887.

Palm trees will give your yard a tropical feel and provide plenty of exciting foliage as the palm-like fronds spread out and sway in the wind. But just because the space under your palm tree is shady doesn’t mean you can’t spruce it up with some tropical shade-tolerant companion plants!

Some of the best plants that will thrive under your palm tree include tropical hibiscus, asparagus fern, Asiatic jasmine, bromeliads, golden shrimp, birds of paradise, crotons, blue ginger, and moth orchids. All of these plants thrive in tropical climates and aren’t opposed to the cool shade thrown by your palm tree.

Below, we’ll go over the BEST plants to plant under your palm tree. We’ll also discuss some of the care requirements so you can make sure your tropical plants thrive.

Can You Grow Plants Under Your Palm Tree?

Depending on the species of palm tree you are dealing with, the space beneath it may seem too inhospitable to grow plants. Don’t fret, there are plenty of shade-loving tropical plants out there!

So, the answer is yes! You can grow plants under your palm tree.

Even so, the plants under your palm tree will face a few challenges that will need to be addressed:

• Shade: First and foremost, your plant will need to tolerate some shade to survive under your palm tree. Some palms cast more shade than others, so be sure to choose a plant that is at least somewhat shade tolerant.
  
• Nutrients: Palm trees require nitrogen, potassium, and magnesium more than any other nutrients, and they will steal these from their leaves if the quantity is scarce in the soil. Planting something beneath your palm tree means there will be even fewer nutrients available.

To combat this problem, you’ll want to use a palm fertilizer to ensure your palms are getting enough nutrients despite sharing the soil with another plant. BGI’s Palmgain 10lb Bag Palm Tree Fertilizer was designed by the University of Florida to specifically address palm tree nutrient needs.

• Water: According to the University Of California, palms should be watered when the soil two inches below the surface is dry. When you add a plant under your palm tree, that water is going to disappear faster than normal, meaning you’ll have to water the area more frequently.
• Climate: Before choosing a plant to place beneath your palm tree, take into consideration the hardiness zone in which the plant can survive. It needs to be adapted to tropical conditions just like your palm tree.

Despite these challenges, you have a wide variety of choices to plant under your palm tree. There’s no reason the space beneath your palm needs to be bare or plain jane. Spice it up with some creeping vines or brilliant bromeliads!

How To Grow Plants Under Your Palm Tree

All of the plants on our list are going to combat the challenges we discussed above. They’ll be shade tolerant, require little nutrients and water, and thrive in tropical climates.

But to make your plants happy and to see the full blooms of flowers while keeping your palm trees a lush green, you’ll want to take care when planting under your palm tree by following some of the guidelines below.

Choose The Right Location For Your Plants

This may seem like a silly section – aren’t we planting our plants under our palm trees? Well, yes, but there are a few areas to avoid under your palm tree.

When digging into the soil for a spot to place your plant, make sure you’re not digging near or on top of the palm tree roots.

Palm trees do not have very deep roots. Instead, they spread out in a fibrous manner horizontally as opposed to vertically. 

If you’re digging and hit into something hard, chances are you’re on top of the palm tree’s roots. Try to dig a little to the left or right to make sure your landscape plants do not choke out the palm tree roots.

Another consideration when choosing a location for your plants is what areas receive sunlight. There should be some places beneath your palm tree that receive a little sun during the morning or evening.

Depending on your chosen plant, you may need to plant them where they get the most sun or perhaps even the least sun. In general, the north side of your palm tree will get the least sun while the south will get the most.

A third and final stipulation is the plants that don’t require digging at all.

Uh, what?

Yep, some of the plants on our list are going to attach to the trunk of the palm tree instead of being planted in the soil! 

With these plants, you’ll want to make sure to attach them with something that will hold them up properly and provide them with the necessary sunlight requirements.

If your palm tree isn’t in an ideal location for growing with other plants, you may have to find a way to safely transport it to a different area in your yard! You can read our guide on how to transplant a palm tree here!

Know Your Palm Tree

According to the University of Florida, there are over 2,600 species of palm trees and shrubs. That’s a lot of variety!

Before you decide to plant something under your palm tree, make sure you understand what kind of palm tree you have and what its specific requirements are. 

You don’t want to plant something under your palm tree that won’t make a good companion. For example, planting something that requires constant moisture with a palm tree that requires good drainage and cannot remain wet.

We’ll go over some of these specifics below so you can be sure you’re planting something under your palm tree that will thrive, adding color and variety to your tropical garden!

Another thing to take into consideration is the size of your palm. Some of the plants on our list grow quite large, over five feet, so you’ll want to make sure you match the size of the flower with the size of the palm.

Some of the best palm trees for larger flowers include:

• Areca Palm
• Kentia Palm
• Windmill Palm
• Fan Palm (and its varieties)
• Canary Island Date Palm
• Queen Palm
• Foxtail Palm
• Sylvester Palm

If you decide to go with one of the shorter flowers on our list, you can fit them under some of the smaller palm varieties such as:

• Pando Palm
• Pygmy Date Palm
• Cat Palm
• Fishtail Palm
• Lady Palm

All palm trees may have that beachy feel, but not all palm trees have the same layout. Take a careful look at how the leaves of your palm tree cast shade on the ground. For some of the flowers on our list, you’ll want to find the sunniest spot, for others, the shadiest.

9 Most Beautiful Plants For Underneath Your Palm Tree

Palm trees are a staple in yards and gardens for those who live in tropical climates. They bring out a beachy feel and look super nice on those blue-sky days.

But there’s nothing wrong with adding a bit of color and interest under your palm tree. Check out the plants below and choose the one that fits your landscape the most!

Tropical Hibiscus

Tropical hibiscus can be grown as a tree or as a shrub. These tropical plants boast amazingly showy flowers that come in a wide range of colors.

Growing to around 5 feet tall, tropical hibiscus will do best beneath a large palm tree as opposed to a low-growing palm tree.

According to the Smithsonian Institute, tropical hibiscus thrives in hardiness zones 9 through 12. They’re low-maintenance plants that prefer well-drained soil, just like many palm tree species.

Tropical hibiscus is known for its beautiful flowers, but when planted in the shade of a palm tree, don’t be surprised if you see fewer flowers than those planted in the full sun. 

Water: Tropical hibiscus is semi-drought-tolerant, but it prefers evenly moist soils. Try to keep the leaves as dry as possible to avoid mildew.

Sun: The more sun the more flowers, but tropical hibiscus will thrive just fine in partial shade. Try to place this plant in the spot that gets the most sun under your palm tree.

Bloom Time: You can expect your tropical hibiscus plant to bloom year-round, but each blossom only lasts a few days.

Pair With: Medium to large palm varieties.

Asparagus Fern

Asparagus ferns are evergreen perennials that have an interesting shape and lush green leaves that will show off nicely beneath your palm tree.

These evergreens thrive in hardiness zones 9 through 11 and prefer sandy, shady conditions. They’re not as showy when compared to other tropical plants. Their flowers are small but fragrant.

The nice thing about asparagus fern is that it’s tolerant of various conditions, including drought and shade. This makes it a good companion plant to your palm tree.

You can plant asparagus fern with tropical hibiscus as these two plants have very similar requirements and clash nicely in terms of texture and color.

Water: Asparagus ferns prefer moist soils but their roots store enough water to withstand some drought. If the leaves begin turning yellow, your fern needs more water.

Sun: direct to indirect light. This is best placed in the sunniest spot beneath your palm tree.

Bloom Time: Asparagus fern blooms from spring through fall.

Pair With: Small to large palms

Asiatic Jasmine

Although the name is misleading, Asiatic Jasmine is not related to the jasmine plant. It is a tropical evergreen creeping vine that will look great beneath your palm tree.

This resilient vine can withstand salt, drought, shade, and poor soil conditions. The less care you give it, the better off it is. If you give too much water to this plant it can expand too quickly, covering ground that you don’t want to be covered.

Asiatic jasmine does well in hardiness zones 7 through 10 and, seriously, once you plant this baby you don’t have to do anything. Natural rainfall will suffice this hardy plant for water and it isn’t necessary to fertilize unless the plant doesn’t appear to be growing.

According to the University of Florida, you can expect your jasmine vine to expand 3 feet wide and anywhere from 6 to 18 inches tall. Just be aware that this is a groundcover plant, meaning nothing will be able to grow beneath it, especially grass and weeds. 

Water: Watering is not necessary except when the plant is first transplanted into the soil.

Sun: Thrives in deep shade to full sun

Bloom Time: While the plant itself will remain green year-round, the inconspicuous flowers only bloom from July to August.

Pair With: Small to large palms

Golden Shrimp Plant

With an interesting name, stunning gold and white blooms, and lush green foliage, what’s not to like about these plants?

Golden shrimps thrive in hardiness zones 9 through 11. They typically reach a height of around 3 feet, so are best planted beneath a palm tree that can accommodate this height.

One downside to this beautiful plant is that, once it grows, it can look sparse underneath. Planting a groundcover plant along with your golden shrimp plant can help fix this issue.

Water: Golden shrimp plants prefer evenly moist soil. It’s not recommended to let them dry out between waterings.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade. Find a spot under your palm tree that receives a few hours of sun per day.

Bloom Time: When grown in tropical regions, golden shrimp plants bloom year-round. In subtropical regions, they may only bloom in summer.

Pair With: Medium to large palms

Bromeliads

Bromeliads don’t refer to a specific type of plant. Rather, it refers to an entire family comprised of over 2,500 different species of plants.

Bromeliads may grow from the ground, but some are known as epiphytes and grow on tree trunks or rocks. These tropical plants cannot withstand freezing, so if they are grown outdoors they will only thrive in zones 9 or higher.

Because there are so many different species of bromeliad, you can imagine their shade tolerance will vary. When searching for a bromeliad to plant under your palm tree, look for these varieties:

• Aechmea
• Neoregalia
• Nidularium
• Canistropsis
• Vriesea
• Pitcairnea

In the wild, many of these shade-tolerant bromeliads have incredibly bright flowers to attract pollinators to shady locations. So, you can expect your shade-tolerant bromeliads to add some very attractive color under your palm tree!

Notes on mounting bromeliads to your palm tree trunk: if you decide to go for an epiphyte bromeliad, make sure to mount it using something natural like Kinglake’s 328 Feet Natural Jute Twine. 

This type of twine will eventually degrade in the environment. Using fishing line, copper wire, or other non-degradable material is not recommended. Once your bromeliad is secure, it will begin to take hold of the trunk with its roots while the original mounting material degrades.

Water: Bromeliads that attach to tree trunks or rocks absorb water through their leaves and from the cups that their foliage forms. They are used to environments with high humidity, so be sure they get enough water. However, do not overwater, as bromeliads do not like to sit in wet soil.

Sun: Varies with species. If you choose from the varieties we listed, they thrive in partial to full shade.

Bloom Time: Varies depending on the species. Some will bloom for months while others only a few weeks.

Pair With: Palms with relatively thinner trunks so the roots can take hold easier. The height of the palm isn’t as important.

Birds Of Paradise

We’re talking about the birds of paradise plant, not the actual bird. Though, those colorful birds would look nice in your tropical garden!

But really, you can get the beautiful color of a bird of paradise from the plant, too. These tropical flowers produce brilliant colors that resemble their namesake.

Birds of paradise do best in hardiness zones 10 through 12, but can be kept in colder climates if brought indoors during the cold season.

Some species of birds of paradise can grow to 30 feet tall, so be sure to pick a smaller variety such as Dwarf Orange so it will fit beneath your palm tree.

One of the downsides to birds of paradise is that they take a few years to bloom. If you buy the plant in a container, it may already be blooming. But, if you try to plant it from seed, you may have to wait a few years before you see those brilliant flowers.

Water: Birds of paradise prefer moist soil, but make sure to let the soil dry between waterings.

Sun: Birds of paradise can tolerate partial shade, but they do best in the sun. Try to find a place under your palm tree where the canopy breaks open, giving your birds of paradise as much sun as possible.

Bloom Time: Birds of paradise are more likely to bloom when the hot tropical temperatures cool down a little, typically from Fall through Spring.

Pair With: Large palm varieties

Crotons

If you want a variety of colors, look no further than crotons! These perennial evergreen shrubs come in all kinds of colors, shapes, and sizes. You’re bound to find a variety that fits your palm tree, no matter its size.

Some varieties of crotons need full sun, so be sure to grab a shade-tolerant variety such as Geisha Girl, Van Buren, Mosaic, Claude Lorraine, or Nestor. 

You can use crotons to cover the entire area beneath your palm tree, or just a few spaces. The beauty of this plant doesn’t come from its flowers but rather from its leaves which range in color from light whites, yellows, and pinks to dark reds, purples, and oranges.

Crotons can be purchased at a local garden center and typically come in pots. They are hardy from zones 9 through 11 but can grow in colder climates if brought inside when temperatures cool down.

Water: Crotons prefer to be watered frequently. If you notice the leaves begin to wilt, your plant is probably thirsty.

Sun: depends on the variety. Many shade-tolerant varieties do great in dappled shade.

Bloom Time: According to the University of Wisconsin, crotons bloom in the spring, but the flowers are not very showy compared to the stunning leaves.

Pair With: Varies with the species. Check the height of your croton to see which palm it pairs best with!

Blue Ginger

Similar to our Asiatic jasmine plant, blue ginger has a misleading name and is not related to ginger at all! Instead, this tropical plant belongs to the same family as spiderwort.

Blue ginger boasts brilliant blue flowers and has lush green foliage to add to the tropical feel of your palm tree. 

These plants are evergreen when grown in tropical and subtropical areas, but when exposed to cooler climates they will lose their color and die back in the winter.

Blue ginger grows up to 8 feet tall, so will not do well beneath smaller palm varieties. It thrives in hardiness zones 9 through 11, a perfect partner for your palm tree.

Water: Keep the soil evenly moist. Like many plants on our list, blue ginger is used to high humidity and will appreciate a misting here and there.

Sun: Prefers dappled shade.

Bloom Time: If given the right conditions, blue ginger will produce flowers year-round. Otherwise, they may only bloom spring through fall and die back in the winter.

Pair With: Medium to large palm trees.

Moth Orchid

If you’re looking for a unique flower to pair with your palm tree, the moth orchid is the way to go. This orchid does best when attached to your palm tree’s trunk and is given part shade, part sun.

Similar to our epiphyte bromeliads, use twine or burlap to help secure your orchid to the trunk of your palm tree. The rougher the bark, the better. You can use sphagnum moss to cover the burlap or twine and provide your orchid with soil medium.

Moth orchids are low-maintenance plants that do not require many nutrients or care. They thrive in zones 10 through 12. In colder climates, they must be grown in pots rather than on your palm tree.

These interesting plants can grow up to 3 feet tall but are generally around 12-15 inches.

Water: Orchids prefer humid environments and will benefit from a weekly misting. According to the Smithsonian Institute, you should only water your orchid when the growth medium (your sphagnum moss) is dry.

Sun: Moth orchids prefer partial sun.

Bloom Time: Moth orchids will bloom in winter or spring, depending on the climate. The blooms will most likely fall off when temperatures get too hot in the summer.

Pair With: A palm tree that will provide part sun, part shade. The rougher the bark of the palm tree the better. The size of the palm tree doesn’t matter, but these orchids typically look better on thin-trunked, medium to tall palms.

That’s All For Now!

Having a landscape under your palm tree will only add to the uniqueness and beauty of your tropical yard.

But for a plant to thrive under your palm tree, it will need to overcome shade, water, and nutrient deficiencies. Luckily, you still have quite a list to choose from.

To recap, the 9 best plants to plant under your palm tree include:

• Tropical Hibiscus
• Asparagus fern
• Asiatic Jasmine
• Bromeliads
• Golden shrimp plant
• Birds of Paradise plant
• Crotons
• Blue Ginger
• Moth Orchid

This list includes a variety of flowers that should be able to fit under any palm tree you may have planted in your yard. 

You can check out Tree Journey if you have more questions about your landscape trees, flowers, plants, or shrubs!

References

Granados, J., & Korner, C. (2002, September 30). In deep shade, elevated CO2 increases the vigor of tropical climbing plants. Global Change Biology, 8(11), 1109-1117. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1365-2486.2002.00533.x

IEEE Staff. (2011). Overview of image processing approach for nutrient deficiencies detection in Elaeis Guineensis. IEEE. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/5993432/citations#citations

Praptosuwiryo, T. N., & Cahyaningsih, R. (2019). Diversity and host preferences of ferns and lycopods epiphytes on palm trees. Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, 20(12).

Thomas, K. R., Kolle, M., Whitney, H. M., Glover, B. J., & Steiner, U. (2010, December 06). Function of blue iridescence in tropical understory plants. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 7(53).

Looking around your yard, you might consider planting a palm tree in order to brighten your outdoor aesthetic. Or, you might ponder transplanting a palm tree to a different location in your yard for a practical purpose. Either way, these musings lead to a question: how do folks transport and plant a palm tree in their yard as well as reduce the transplant shock?

Here are 10 simple steps to transport a palm tree:

• Dig around the root ball of your palm tree
• Dig out the palm tree
• Remove old leaves
• Prepare for transport
• Prepare the planting location
• Plant the palm tree
• Untie the fronds
• Water the palm tree
• Add mulch
• Support the palm with timbers

Keep reading to learn about the root system of a palm tree, the steps in transporting it as well as helpful tips in reducing the tree’s experience of transplant shock.

How To Transport A Palm Tree

Palm trees are some of the least complicated trees to transport and plant. This is because they have a sizable, fibrous root ball instead of a deep, extensive root system. The root ball is fairly easy to dig out, and palm trees can usually have a speedy recovery after transporting and planting.

To safely transplant an adult palm tree, you must prepare the planting location. Afterward, plan to dig out the palm tree with minimal damage to the root ball, successfully transport it to the planting location, and care for the palm tree after it is securely planted in the ground. Remember that a palm tree grown in the field experiences more severe transplant shock than a palm tree grown in a container, which correlates to the amount of damage on the root ball.

A palm tree grown in a container is not cut like a palm tree grown in the field, even though the root ball is still exposed to the air during transportation. Transplant shock occurs when a tree copes with the stresses of its new environment, which include different soil and sunlight exposure. Lessening the severity of transplant shock in a palm tree is discussed in the section, “How to Reduce Transplant Shock in a Palm Tree.”

A quick note before we get started, did you know that you actually can grow certain types of palm trees in New York? Not tropical palm trees, however. You can read more about that in our piece: Here’s Why You Can’t Grow Tropical Palm Trees In New York

Step #1: Dig Around The Root Ball Of A Palm Tree

As previously mentioned, palm trees have a root ball that is composed of small compacted roots. The roots of broadleaf trees, like oaks, grow in diameter and also plunge deep into the soil; this is untrue of the roots of palm trees. The root ball of a palm tree remains the same size, and the small compacted roots stay closer to the surface of the soil.

A University of Florida study discovered that various palm tree species respond in different ways to the cutting of their root systems. The sabal palmetto’s roots, for example, die after cutting and are replaced by new roots; so, it does not make a difference if the roots are cut close to the palm’s base. For the coconut palm, 50% of its cut roots survive and keep growing regardless of how close they are cut to the palm’s base. 

With this in mind, the root ball can be kept small for the sabal palmetto and coconut palm trees when digging out these species. For palm trees that are up to 15 feet in height, dig a one to two feet radius from the trunk and dig one to feet into the soil. If you are in doubt about the sensitivity level to root cutting for your palm tree species, dig a larger radius around the trunk.

Step #2: Dig Out The Palm Tree

After digging around the palm tree, you will cut some of the roots. Root cutting happens regardless of how large the radius is around the trunk.

Cut the soil and palm roots with a spade that goes in a circle around the palm tree. This circle is about 12 to 24 inches away from the trunk of the tree, and it creates space for the root ball. Cut the palm tree’s roots about 12 inches underneath the surface of the soil.

Digging out the palm tree requires lifting, which usually requires multiple people depending on the palm tree’s size. For palm trees that are between 20 and 25 feet in height, a crane or a tractor is required in order to successfully move the tree. Palm trees can be monstrously heavy; in fact, a 20-foot palm tree is approximately 1,000 pounds.

Step #3: Remove Old Leaves On The Palm Tree

Many nurseries remove up to two-thirds of old leaves on palm trees to minimize the level of water stress in the trees. Some homeowners will even remove all of the leaves. 

The amount of leaves that are removed depends on the particular palm tree species that is being transported. For example, since the sabal palmetto species’ roots all die and regrow during transplanting and planting, completely removing the leaves is the best option to help ensure the tree’s survival.

Step #4: Prepare To Transport The Palm Tree

Tie together the extra fronds of the palm tree to avoid damaging the leaves, which should be done before using a crane to lift the palm tree. Attach two splits on opposite sides of the tree trunk to prevent the palm tree from fracturing, which is particularly needed for skinnier palm trees. 

A palm tree cannot repair itself if its trunk is harmed, so it is crucial to avoid nailing something to the trunk. Also, any scratches along the palm tree’s trunk can make the tree more susceptible to fungus and insects. 

Wrap the trunk with nylon or polyester slings before fastening ropes, cables or chains. Using soaked burlap, wrap the root ball so the root system stays wet during transportation. 

If you are using a truck to transport the palm tree, then wrap the whole tree with a wet tarp. This shields the tree from damages to the fronds, bark and roots. This also protects the root ball from the wind, which can dry out the roots.

Step #5: Prepare The Planting Location

Test the planting location’s soil to ensure that it is the right spot to transplant a palm tree. Palm trees must be in a location with decent drainage. To begin the test, dig a hole that is two times the diameter of the palm tree’s root ball.

Pour water into the hole until it is filled and wait. After an hour, pour more water into the hole and observe the length of time it takes for the water to disappear. The location has decent drainage if it only takes a few hours for the water to leave; however, if the water has not disappeared after a few days, this indicates a drainage issue.

It is possible to create better drainage in this location by placing stones in the planting hole and drilling several holes at the bottom, which breaks up the soil. You can also install a pipe for drainage.

Step #6: Plant The Palm Tree

It is important to plant the palm tree as soon as you can. If you are unable to immediately plant the tree, then simply keep it in a shaded area and make sure that the roots stay moist. You can even put mulch over the root ball to keep it from possibly drying out.

Plant the palm tree at a similar depth in which it was previously growing. If the palm tree is planted too deeply in the soil, it could experience water stress and deficiencies in nutrients. If the palm tree is planted too shallowly in the soil, this could also be a problem because the wind might blow over the tree.

Before planting the palm tree, drench the soil with water and center the tree in the planting hole. Backfill the area with native soil, water and backfill again. Ensure that there are zero air pockets, and then make a soil boundary around the palm in order to hold the water.

Step #7: Untie The Fronds Of The Palm Tree

Gardeners have different opinions about the placement of this step: untying the fronds of the palm tree. Some think that leaving the fronds tied for several weeks after transplanting the palm tree can reduce water loss and stop the palm from shifting in the wind.

Other gardeners think that leaving the fronds tied does not help the growth of the palm tree. Rather, they think it might make the tree more susceptible to diseases. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether to untie the fronds after planting the palm tree or waiting to untie them at a later time.

Step #8: Water The Palm Tree

Palm trees grown in the field have cut roots, which means they have a tinier root ball in which to take in water. While the palm tree is growing new roots, its necessity for water is significantly larger than a palm tree grown in a container. Whether you have a palm tree grown in the field or one grown in a container, it will need to be watered on a daily basis for three weeks.

Once you have hit the fourth week, you can water your palm tree every other day. To successfully water your palm tree, turn on your water hose so that it drips water for about 20 minutes in the soil around the root ball. After six weeks, you can reduce your watering frequency.

Step #9: Add Mulch Around The Palm Tree

To keep moisture and prevent weed growth, add mulch around the base of the palm tree. Over time, the mulch will break down and enrich the native soil. Add around two inches of mulch, making the area thinner closer to the trunk and thicker directly above the root ball.

While adding mulch around the palm tree, place it about one foot away from the trunk of a tinier palm tree and about two feet away from the trunk of a bigger tree. An overabundance of mulch directly against the trunk can bring about rot in the trunk and even fungal diseases. It can also stop water from reaching the root system of the palm tree.

Step #10: Support The Palm Tree With Timbers

Palm trees grown in the field tend to have tinier root systems in relation to their height; this means that they usually need support after planting. This contrasts with palm trees grown in containers; their root systems tend to be large enough in order to maintain the trees in upright positions.

To stop a freshly planted palm tree from blowing over during storms, support the tree with timbers. Again, avoid nailing to the trunk because a palm tree cannot repair itself if its trunk is harmed. Using burlap, wrap the trunk and attach four short lengths of wood with bands; this will not harm the trunk, and it stops the wood from sliding out of place.

Nail up to five supporting timbers into the larger wood pieces. Maintain this support structure for around one year, or until you have noticed that the tree has grown enough new roots that allow it to stand on its own.

How To Reduce Transplant Shock In A Palm Tree

Even though you have done your best to be careful while transporting and planting a palm tree, the tree still experiences stress as it adjusts to its new location. If you observe drooping, yellow or brown leaves on your transplanted palm tree, this is a sign that the tree is experiencing transplant shock.

This might look like the tree is dying, but it is not: transplant shock is when the root ball hardens because it has been cut, moved and directly exposed to sunlight, air and different soil. Mother Nature did not create an organic situation in which palm trees are transplanted, so the tree is forced to cope with these unnatural changes.

It can take one year for a palm tree to fully recover from transplant shock. After three years, a transplanted palm tree is considered to be completely established in its new planting location. 

While transplanting a palm tree, much of its root system is lost or dies. The roots that survive face challenges in bringing in enough water for the palm tree, which causes water stress. In fact, any changes to the root ball of a palm tree causes stress to the tree. Again, this transplant shock is unavoidable, but there are a few tips to follow that allow you to reduce the shock in your palm tree.

To add, at this point you may be interested in another popular palm tree article: 5 Reasons New Orleans Has Palm Trees (Plus Growing Tips)

Tip #1: Transport And Plant The Palm Tree During Warm Rainy Months

The best time to transport and plant the palm tree is during months that are warm and rainy. Depending on where you live, this might not include the springtime. If you live in Florida (a state with a plentiful amount of thriving palm trees), transporting and planting a palm tree should be done between June and November, which is the rainy season. 

If you transplant your palm tree during a time that is warm and rainy, it profoundly assists in your palm tree’s survival and minimizes the transplant shock. In addition, planting in the evening is ideal because the sun is less intense and temperatures are cooler. This provides the palm tree both the evening and the entire night to start acclimating to the new location before its extensive exposure to sunlight the following day.

Tip #2: Acclimate The Palm Tree

If you are transporting a palm tree grown in a container, you can set the palm tree in the general area of its new planting location a week prior to planting it. Doing this offers the palm tree more time to acclimate to the varying levels of sunlight and temperature in its new planting location. 

You can also consider planting the palm tree in its new location and then covering it with a plastic canopy. Every week, you can poke holes in the covering, which slowly allows in more light. 

Tip #3: Leave The Old Soil In The Palm Tree’s Root Ball

Although you might be planning to offer healthier soil at the new planting location, you still want to leave the old soil in the palm tree’s root ball. This reduces the root system’s exposure to the elements, which decreases the tree’s stress levels. When you backfill the planting hole, this is when you can utilize a healthier, better soil around the root ball.

Tip #4: Avoid Fertilizing The Palm Tree After Planting It

Avoid fertilizing the palm tree immediately after planting it because this invites more stress for the tree. Make sure that you allow your transplanted palm tree some time to regenerate its root system. Wait at least two months or until you see significant root growth before you fertilize the palm tree. 

Be mindful of the fact that palm trees grown in containers are accustomed to high nitrogen levels because of the potting soil. This means that they require fertilizer that contains high nitrogen levels in order to thrive. If these palm trees do not receive that nitrogen, they can develop a deficiency in the element and be slow in establishing their root system.

Here are a few other tips you can consider to help reduce transplant shock in your palm tree:

• Saturate the rootball area with a fungicide between two to four times during the first several months.
• Between two to four months, apply a slow-release fertilizer to the palm tree. You can also utilize a foliar spray because the absorption by the root system is minimal.
• Offer protection from the cold during winter until the palm tree has completely established its root system.
• Frequently check for signs of diseases and insects, the latter of which can be attracted to weaker plants.

That’s A Wrap!

Whether you are purchasing a palm tree from a nursery or intending to transplant a palm tree from one spot in your yard to another, the steps in how to transport and plant the palm tree are the same. Knowing how palm roots grow and react to being cut can prevent damage to the root system. Plus, implementing this knowledge will bolster the likelihood of the palm tree’s survival. 

References

Hinkamp, Dennis. “Transplanting: Think Twice, Dig Once.” (2001).

Hodel, Donald R., A. James Downer, and Dennis R. Pittenger. “Transplanting palms.” HortTechnology 19.4 (2009): 686-689.

Hunsberger, A. G. B. “Tree Planting: A Quick Guide for Homeowners.”

Pittenger, Dennis R., Donald R. Hodel, and A. James Downer. “Transplanting specimen palms: a review of common practices and research-based information.” HortTechnology 15.1 (2005): 128-132.

When you think of tropical palm trees you probably think about warm, tropical climates that you spend your vacation in. But believe it or not, some palm trees can withstand temperatures below freezing! But some states are just too cold.

Most tropical palm trees cannot grow in New York. The cold temperatures, high winds, and length of winter prevent palm trees from growing the whole year. The temperature in NY generally stays under 40°F from December – March, which is too cold for most tropical palm trees.

Palm trees add a lot of aesthetic value to your landscape, but if you live in New York it’s pretty tricky to get a palm tree to survive. Read on to discover the reasons why you can’t grow a tropical palm, and what you can plant instead.

Can Tropical Palm Trees Grow In New York?

We already hinted at the answer above, but let’s dive down into some details to get you all the information you need on palm trees in New York.

Although we mentioned above that most tropical palm trees cannot grow in New York, that doesn’t mean that ALL palm trees won’t survive in the state. After all, New York is more than just a city that never sleeps.

Most people refer to tropical palm trees as those big, recognizable trees you see in Florida, California, and Hawaii. Any palm tree can be considered ‘tropical,’ but there are some that are cold-hardy too. 

The cabbage palm, for example, is a tropical palm tree often seen in Florida. It’s considered ‘cold hardy’ but still needs to be in hardiness zone 8b or higher to survive according to the University of Florida.

No area in New York has a hardiness zone above 7b.

But don’t lose hope! Some palm trees are very cold-hardy and might survive in the warmer areas of the state.

The areas of New York with the highest success rate for growing palm trees will be along the Atlantic coast such as Long Island and south of New York City. These areas have a hardiness zone of 7b.

Temperature isn’t the only factor when considering growing a palm tree. Altitude, wind, soil conditions, and anthropogenic conditions also impact a palm tree’s survivability. More on that later!

If you are interested in palm trees growing in other areas, check out this article on 5 Reasons New Orleans Has Palm Trees.

For now, let’s talk about the necessary conditions for some of the most popular palm trees and see if New York fits the bill.

Growing Conditions For Tropical Palm Trees: Does New York Have Them?

Just like oak trees and maple trees, there are tons of different varieties of palm trees. Some are those tall, spindly ones with coconuts, others are so small they can fit in a pot and be kept inside.

Keep in mind that this means each variety of palm trees will require different environmental conditions. Some like arid conditions, others need lots of rain, and still, others need partial shade or full sun.

First, let’s see what New York’s climate data looks like. This includes New York City and Long Island.

• The average high in January – 39℉
• The average low in January – 26℉
• Average Precipitation in January – 3.90 inches
• Soil types (According to the City University of New York)
  • North Shore – rocky
  • South Shore- sandy
• Elevation
  • Long Island – 401 ft
  • New York – 33 ft

We chose January because that is the coldest month in New York. If a palm tree can survive January in Long Island, it can survive the other months as well.

Let’s talk in detail about all the reasons why you can’t grow most palm trees in New York.

Temperature Requirements For Tropical Palm Trees

When most people think of New York, they think of the city, of the empire state building, and the statue of liberty. But the reality is New York city only covers a small portion of the state. 

The rest of the state is mostly rural and country (where I’m from, let’s go Upstate!) But for this article, we are going to cover southern and eastern New York, the warmest areas in the state.

Palm trees are tropical trees and therefore require mild, tropical climates to thrive. The most cold-hardy palm trees like the needle palm and the Windmill palm can survive temperatures around 10℉ and sometimes brief exposure to colder temperatures. 

With that being said, you might be thinking that New York fits those parameters perfectly! Not so fast…

The thing you have to remember about required temperatures is that a palm tree can survive only brief exposure to these chilly conditions. 

It’s not uncommon for South Carolina or Florida to have a brief cold snap, but New York’s entire winter season may have several cold snaps followed by prolonged cold temperatures below 20℉.

The average palm tree needs temperatures to be above 55℉. But again, this number varies greatly among the different species of palm.

Soil Condition Requirements For Tropical Palm Trees

The acidity, moisture, temperature, and type of soil are important factors to take into consideration for growing any plant, including palms. 

Going back to our earlier example of the cabbage palm, these trees require wet soils and commonly grow along coastal marshes according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

Cabbage palm also thrives in warmer soils that range from 68℉ to 104℉. You really won’t find that anywhere in New York except during the hottest summer days.

While cabbage palms need high moisture content, needle palms can thrive in both wet and dry conditions. Almost all palms benefit from magnesium supplementation in the fertilizer.

So what type of soil grows in New York?

The most common soil found in New York is unofficially named their state soil “Honeoye.” This soil is slightly acidic to neutral, has a high moisture content, and is considered fertile.

Honeoye can sustain some palm trees, and you can always try to supplement your palm tree with magnesium such as Jobe’s Fern & Palm Fertilizer Spikes. These are mostly for indoor palm plants and have a time-release for continuous nutrient supplies.

Necessary Elevation For Tropical Palm Trees

As you can imagine, most palm trees are located at or near sea level. They’re found on islands after all, right?

However, New York isn’t too far behind islands and coastal areas in terms of elevation. The average elevation of New York is only around 33 feet, with the highest point being on long island at 401 feet (Jayne’s Hill).

In most areas of southern New York and Long Island, they pass the test for the necessary elevation for palm trees. 

Some palm trees like the windmill palms are native to the Himalaya Mountains and can thrive at high altitudes. However, most palms enjoy being closer to the sea than the summit of a mountain.

Wind Conditions Can Affect Tropical Palm Trees

Wind can be a huge factor for palm survivability. Having those big fan-like leaves or long slender leaves means they catch the wind more regularly than a streamlined leaf.

Part of New York is situated directly on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As such, tropical storms have the potential to land on the coast and travel inward. 

Since New York City and Long Island are the two preferred locations for growing palms, this is an important factor when deciding whether a palm can survive in New York or not. These two areas are very close to the coast and are more affected by wind than Albany, for example.

City Life Can Be Rough On Tropical Palm Trees

When you’re on vacation in a tropical area and see palm trees lining the streets and sidewalks, you can be sure those trees aren’t as comfortable as trees in a natural forest. 

Anthropogenic effects can range from car pollution to cigarette butts to littering plastic bottles. All of these can affect the soil conditions including water levels, PH, and nutrient levels.

In a 2011 study, they tried to identify how people affected the growth of palm trees. As you might well guess, the more disturbance done by people, the less likely the palm trees were to germinate or grow from seed.

With a population of more than 8 million people, anthropogenic pollution plays a big role in the plant life in New York City. 

Another downside to city life is the water stress that gets put on the soil. Spillways and waterways attempt to guide water in what would have been a natural direction. This doesn’t always work.

Some soils get waterlogged and other soils become far too dry to support such tropical plants as palm trees.

Now that we know what kind of climate palm trees need, let’s move on to the hardiest palm trees and see if any can survive in a city that never sleeps.

Cold Hardy Palm Trees That May Grow In New York

Some palm trees can survive cold temperatures and even snow. Crazy, right? Five species of palm trees are pretty cold-hardy, some even surviving through -15℉!

Don’t get too excited, just because it can survive -15 doesn’t mean it will thrive. Let’s check out the five hardiest palm trees and see if they can survive in New York.

Needle Palm Tree

Needle palms are native to Florida and are endangered in the wild. Their name wasn’t given randomly. The leaves of the needle palm are pretty sharp!

These prickly palms make an excellent addition to northern landscapes to bring a tropical feel. They can survive in a variety of conditions, making them a perfect match for beginners.

Hardiness zone: Needle palms aren’t considered the hardiest palm out there, but they can survive the most extreme low temperatures. You can find these trees in hardiness zones as low as 5 and as high as zone 11.

Sun: Needle palm can tolerate full sun or shade, but it prefers shaded areas such as beneath a tree.

Soil conditions: In the wild, needle palms grow on shady slopes with moist soil, but they can adapt to dry and even drought conditions once they are established. 

Height: When mature, needle palms are more shrub than a tree. They grow to a maximum height of six feet and have a six-foot spread as well.

Can grow the needle palm tree grow in New York?: Yes.

European Fan Palm Tree

This cold-hardy palm tree can be grown as a shrub or as a small tree. European fan palms may also go by the name Mediterranean palm, but rest assured they are the same tree. They can even be grown indoors if you like a tropical look in your house!

All ‘fan’ palms have similar leaves that fan out like, well, a fan. They’re the branches you see in the movies that people would wave at pharaohs and kings and queens to cool them off.

Hardiness zone: Although the European fan palm is considered cold-hardy, New York is a little too cold for this palm. It can survive in temperatures of 10℉ or more. This coincides with a possible zone 8, but more comfortably a zone 9 or higher.

Sun: European fan palms thrive in full sun or partial shade. They need at least 4-6 hours of sun tanning to be healthy happy trees. If you notice your palm starting to thin out with fewer leaves and more stems, it’s probably getting too much shade.

Soil conditions: In terms of soil conditions, the European fan palm can withstand nearly any PH level. They do well in sandy soils but require good drainage as wet soils can rot the roots.

Height: Since these palms can be grown indoors, they can be as small as you like. If you let them grow to their max, they’ll reach a size of about 15ft and have a spread up to 20ft. 

Can grow the European Fan Palm Tree Grow In New York?: Yes if planted in a pot and brought inside during the winter months.

Pindo Palm Tree

This palm goes by many names! Jelly, Pindo, Yatay, and Brazilian Butia Palm just to name a few. A cold-hardy palm, pindo palms can survive cold snaps of 15℉ according to North Carolina State University.

Hardiness zone: Pindo palms aren’t as cold-hardy as some of the other palms on our list. It can grow in zones 8b to 10a.

Sun: This many-named palm tree requires full sun and cannot tolerate very much shade.

Soil conditions: The fertile soils of New York City and Long Island would do well for this palm, which requires a high organic content in the soil to thrive.

Height: The pindo palm can grow as tall as 20 feet and reach a maximum width of 15 feet.

Can grow the pindo palm tree grow in New York?: No

Saw Palmetto Palm Tree

Remember our good ol’ cabbage palms from earlier? Well, the correct name for a cabbage palm is a saw palmetto palm tree. These trees are pretty recognizable and might remind you of Jurassic Park.

Hardiness zone: Saw palmettos thrive in zones 8a to 11. Temperatures must average above 10℉.

Sun: These bushy palm trees prefer the sun, but have adapted to living in the light shade by making their leaves longer, wider, and more numerous. This gives the plant access to as much sunlight as possible.

Soil conditions: Saw palmettos are not picky about their soil. They can grow in both acidic and alkaline soils and prefer any soil type except clay.

Height: Sometimes you can find the saw palmetto wider than it is tall. They can reach a max of 5 feet wide and grow between 3 and 6 feet tall. The saw palmetto is a slow-growing plant.

Can grow the saw palmetto palm tree grow in New York?: No

Windmill Palm Tree

The mother of all cold-hardy palm trees, the windmill palm can survive freezing temperatures and grows as far north as New York!

Windmill palms are the largest tree on our list of five cold-hardy palm trees. It is an evergreen tree that provides bountiful materials to locals such as rope, thatched roofs, brushes, and hats.

Hardiness zone: These hardy palms can thrive in zones 7b to 11.

Sun: Windmill palms prefer partial shade, but in the colder climates (like New York) they do well in full sun to keep them warm and happy.

Soil conditions: LIke the saw palmetto, windmill palms are not picky about their soil except for one condition – they can’t grow in soggy soil. It must be well-drained.

Height: Windmill palms can grow as tall as 40 feet high and 10 feet across. Their height makes them susceptible to wind damage, so be sure to plant them on the south side of buildings, away from the wind.

Can grow the windmill palm tree grow in New York?: Yes

Signs Of Cold-Damaged Palm Trees

Now that you know what kind of palm trees you can and can’t plant in New York, it’s time to discuss what the symptoms are of a cold-damaged plant. This can be helpful if you notice something off about your palm tree after a particularly cold night.

Some signs of palm tree damage to look out for after a few cold days include:

• Leaf discoloration
• Leaf necrosis
• Trunk damage caused by secondary fungi
• Canopy collapse
• Peeling bark

You can try to help reduce cold damage by insulating your palms with some sort of mulch or straw. One great example is this Double F Farms Natural Organic Straw.

Some of these symptoms will appear days after, but others (like trunk damage) may take months to show any symptoms.

Summary

Now that you’ve invested a couple of thousand words on cold-hardy palm trees, let’s recap some important information.

Palm trees thrive in tropical climates but can survive in a wide range of conditions, including the cold. While there are tons of different species of palm trees, there are only a few that are cold-hardy.

New York provides rich soils but is lacking slightly in temperature conditions to support most palm trees. To recap, the palm trees that you can plant in lower New York City and Long Island areas include:

• Needle Palm Tree
• European Fan Palm Tree
• Windmill Palm Tree

It’s not a long list, but it’s something! Go on and give your temperate landscape a tropical twist with one of these three palm trees!

References:

Anthelme, F., Lincango, J., Gully, C., Duarte, N., & Montufar, R. (2011, March). How do anthropogenic disturbances affect the resilience of a keystone palm tree in the threatened Andean cloud forest? Biological Conservation, 144(3), 1059-1067.

Broschat, T. K. (2020, October). Fertilization Improves Cold Tolerance in Coconut Palm. HortTechnology, 20(5), 4. ml

Oliveira, D., Medeiros, M., Pereira, S., Oliveira, M., Frosi, G., Arruda, E., & Santos, M. (2016, Apr-Jun). Ecophysiological leaf traits of native and exotic palm tree species under semi-arid conditions. Basic Areas, 75(2).

Sahari, J., Sapuan, S. M., Zainudin, E. S., & Maleque, M. A. (2012). Sugar Palm Tree: A Versatile Plant and Novel Source for Bio fibers, Biomatrices, and Biocomposites. Polymers from Renewable Resources, 3(2).

As you are probably aware, you cannot find trees like palm trees in all locations. Just like how a coniferous evergreen tree will not grow successfully in the desert of Arizona, one will not have much luck finding a palm tree in the wilderness of Montana. 

New Orleans is a suitable environment for palm trees because of its low altitude, humid subtropical climate, coastal location, high sun exposure, and proximity to the equator. The most common palm trees in New Orleans and Louisiana are the Canary Island Date palm and Palmetto palm.

Before we can talk about which types of palm trees are well-suited to this sort of environment, let’s dive into whether Louisiana, as an entire region, has palm trees.

Does All Of Louisiana Have Palm Trees?

In a short answer, yes. Louisiana has many palm trees growing throughout the state. The major region may be NOLA, but that does not mean palm trees cannot thrive throughout the state of Louisiana.

Louisiana State University’s College of Agriculture states that the most common palm trees in Lousiana are the Canary Island Date palm tree (Phoenix canariensis) and Palmetto palm tree.

The sort of palm trees growing in Louisiana are going to be hardier trees, meaning there is a higher chance for a tree to survive (and thrive) as the temperatures get colder during the winter months.

Reasons Palm Trees Grow Well In Louisiana

Before we get into New Orleans specifically, here are a few reasons why palm trees can grow in Louisiana in the first place!

Proximity To The Gulf Of Mexico

This proximity affects not only New Orleans but the entire state of Louisiana. 

The Gulf of Mexico affects the land and creates a humid, subtropical climate in the middle of other, similarly defined land. 

New Orleans may feel this the most deeply, which we will discuss later, but Louisiana is a wonderful place for palm trees to flourish.

Louisiana Hardiness Zone Of 8a-10a Is Perfect For Palm Trees

Palm trees need a minimum hardiness level of 7a or higher to thrive. 

Louisiana falls into an even higher hardiness zone, which is a good thing! 

Palms are very unlikely to freeze, and there are great growing conditions for this general species in this part of the country

Wait, wait, wait… let’s back up. 

What In The World Is A Hardiness Zone?

The USDA has defined different hardiness zones across the United States to help categorize which trees will grow best in certain environments. 

Palm trees fall into the range of higher numbers on this scale, so they need warmer temperatures overall to thrive. 

You can find a map of the country and different regions’ respective hardiness zones provided by the USDA.

How Do Hardiness Zones Work?

Each zone represents a certain range of temperature in degrees Fahrenheit, with a threshold of 10 degrees. 

Those 10-degree zones get divided into smaller halves to represent the lower 5 degrees Fahrenheit and the higher 5 degrees Fahrenheit of each zone. 

Let’s look at the low end of the hardiness zones that palms can thrive in as an example. 

• Palm trees start doing well in hardiness zone 7a. 
• Zone 7 is 0-10 degrees Fahrenheit. 
• Zone 7a is 0-5 degrees Fahrenheit. 

If palms could start doing well in zone 7b, instead, they could not do as well in that 0-5 degree Fahrenheit temperature range. 

Why Hardiness Zones Are Important For Louisiana Palm Trees

A hardiness zone represents what types of plants can survive in certain climate conditions. From the ability to survive in a minimum temperature range to their ability to thrive in an area with a higher minimum temperature range.

Hardiness is a great measure of the ability of a plant to survive in cold temperatures. The 0-10 degrees of zone 7 does not represent the average temperature of the region. It also does not represent the other factors in a region. 

Hardiness zones represent the minimum temperature a region can reach, not the typical temperature of an area.

It helps to remember other environmental factors can also play a part in the ability of a tree to do well in an area. 

Hardiness zones cannot account for precipitation, elevation, or freeze dates of a place.

That is where our other factors come in!

Let’s talk about NOLA specifically now. 

Why Does New Orleans Have Palm Trees?

Alright, now the part you have been waiting for!

The factors, the reasons, the explanation… why New Orleans has palm trees!

Stick with us for the 5 main reasons New Orleans is such a magnificent home for palm trees to grow.

New Orleans’ Altitude Makes It Favorable For Palm Trees

The vast majority of palm trees live in low-lying areas, something that probably comes to mind when you think of New Orleans. 

NASA itself tells us NOLA is a perfect location for palm trees. Much of the city lies below sea level. It is thanks to levees and sea walls the various storm surges that come through the region have not yet completely decimated the city. 

The city was founded in marshy swamplands, and it took ages for settlers to figure out how to drain the swamp they had built so much on top of. Thanks to this delayed realization, the city of New Orleans sunk. 

There’s a reason NOLA has mausoleums instead of graves and a severe lack of basements. The water just underneath the surface is an enormous factor contributing to the overall setting of the city.

The altitude of the city is just one of the many factors that combine to make this such a great space for palms to stay.

Palm Trees Can Thrive In The Climate

Palm trees likely cannot survive winter weather. One frost and a palm tree may not bounce back. 

Did you know the city of New Orleans has a humid, subtropical climate similar to much of Florida?

Just like the rest of Louisiana, but a bit more extreme, New Orleans has quite the climate.

If you stop to consider the western coast of Florida meets the same gulf New Orleans itself is next to, it is not an immense surprise their climates may be similar.

Now, think about how many palm trees you see in Florida, right? Exactly. 

The climate of good ol’ NOLA is perfect for the subtropical palm species that call Southern Louisiana home.

While climate is important, don’t forget about those hardiness zones, the geography of New Orleans is another huge player in the city’s success with palms. 

Costal Locations Are Perfect For Palm Trees

If the overall climate of New Orleans and the fact the city rests at a low altitude is not enough for you, maybe the location is. 

Thanks to the coastal location of New Orleans, the weather is humid and pairs with other factors, which create a subtropical climate zone that is perfect for growing palm trees. Having water all around only enhances how low the city sits. 

The water table in New Orleans is very high thanks to the coastal location and the land that just isn’t high enough to avoid turning into a swamp a few feet below the surface. 

Not all palm trees love wet soil, but there are certainly many that thrive in this type of environment. New Orleans may just be the best place for these species!

Another reason this city is so great for palm trees? 

The sun.

New Orleans Provides Ample Sun For Palm Trees

Palm trees can grow with a bit of shade, but it is certainly not the ideal situation for these tropical trees. 

New Orleans provides a very warm, sunny location where a palm tree can soak up the water it needs, all while simultaneously soaking in the sun.

New Orleans averages 216 sunny days per year, beating the national average of 205 sunny days by over a week and a half. 

If it does not seem like a lot, consider the hours it likely translates to. This area gets approximately an extra 120 hours of sunlight a year. 

Take into consideration the amount of direct sunlight, and you will see why these trees do so well in the Crescent City.

The Geography Of New Orleans Lets Palm Trees Flourish

Okay, okay, back to the geography again. This time, we are talking less about proximity to the beach and more about the location of New Orleans on a global scale. 

We are getting serious now!

Palm trees grow most abundantly in tropical regions, between 30 degrees South and 30 degrees North on the globe. 

Funny enough, the coordinates of New Orleans see the city at just over 29 degrees North, making the city the best place in the entire state to flourish- geographically and otherwise. 

Now, as we mentioned, there are many types of palm trees. New Orleans is not suitable for all of them.

Lucky for you, we have compiled a list of how to grow some of the hardier trees that will do well on the Southeastern coast of the Bayou state.

Best Palm Trees To Grow In New Orleans

You should plant palm trees between May and August when the soil is warm and ready to help some little palm trees establish themselves as a fixture within the dirt. 

You’ll always want to inquire about… bum, bum, bum, the hardiness of your palm tree when you are buying it. 

We keep circling back to this factor, but it is potentially the most significant one.  

When temperatures drop in the winter months, you do not want to find out you selected the wrong variety of palm tree. Do this the easy way, not the hard way. 

Anywhere you purchase a palm tree from can tell you the approximate hardiness of the tree, and which zone you should plant it in. 

If your zone does not match up with a tree- do not force it. 

Simply buy a hardier tree. We promise it is easier than dealing with a tree dying during its first winter. 

Unless you can afford to move based on the type of palm tree you prefer, this is the best way to go about buying a palm.

You can learn about 825 different species of palm tree in The Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms. This includes information about their hardiness zones, water and nutrient needs, and over 900 photos for identification.

Without further ado, some of the hardiest palm trees to plant in New Orleans:

Palmetto Palm Tree

Also known as the ‘cabbage palm’ for its edible leaves that form a heart similar to an artichoke, this tree is pretty great.

The sabal palmetto tree is best suited for areas with the hardiness zone 8, which makes up much of the region’s ranking. Even in areas with a higher hardiness zone, this tree can thrive. 

This tree needs hot and humid temperatures to do well, so NOLA is just the spot to plant a palmetto.

Jelly Palm Tree

This tree does its best in hardiness zones 9-11, which is pretty perfect for the New Orleans region. 

You may wonder why it is called a jelly palm.

This tree is called the pindo palm but grows edible fruits with a large amount of pectin in them. 

Pectin is typically used as a thickener for jellies and jams, hence the ‘jelly palm’ name.

The more you know!

Low maintenance, slow-growing, and resilient- this tree does well enough in drained soil and can even survive droughts. While it will not be necessary along the coast, it is good to know the jelly palm (Butiá capitata) is versatile and well-adjusted.

Windmill Palm Tree

The windmill palm does well in hardiness zones 7-11. With an adaptable palm tree like this one, it’s no wonder it can do so well in the hot New Orleans summer and the cooler months of the year. 

Plant this palm in some porous, fertile, moist, and well-drained (if possible) soil. 

Perhaps this plant will do well a little way inland, in regions that have tendencies that are a little less, well… swampy.

Canary Island Date Palm Trees

Some of the most common palm trees in Louisiana overall, the Canary Island Date palm tree is a signature tree in New Orleans. These palm trees grow best in hardiness zones 9-11, and can reach heights of up to 60ft tall!

That’s A Wrap!

Well, that is pretty much all we’ve got for now!

As much as we would love to talk about the thousands of species of palms that could do well in the Crescent City, we should let you go. 

The main takeaway is palm trees not only survive but truly thrive in the sunny yet damp region of the Southeastern United States.

Remember the key reasons that New Orleans is so well-suited for palm trees to grow:

• Low Altitude
• Humid Subtropical Climate
• A Coastal Location
• Lots of Sun
• Close (Enough) to the Equator

I hope this piece helps you appreciate the versatility of palm trees and the great growing environment of New Orleans all at the same time. 

As you continue along your tree journey, remember to check back in for new tips, tricks, and bits of information that may just change your life. 

A little dramatic? Maybe, maybe not. Anyway, see you next time!

References

Bomhard, M. L. (1950). Palm trees in the United States (No. 22). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.

Costa, I. D. J. S., Costa, B. N. S., Assis, F. A. D., Martins, A. D., Pio, L. A. S., & Pasqual, M. (2018). Growth and physiology of jelly palm (Butia capitata) grown under colored shade nets. Acta Scientiarum. Agronomy, 40.

Karubian, J., Sork, V. L., Roorda, T., Duraes, R., & Smith, T. B. (2010). Destination‐based seed dispersal homogenizes genetic structure of a tropical palm. Molecular Ecology, 19(8), 1745-1753.