Ornamental Palms for South Florida Ornamental Palms for South Florida
Ornamental Palms for South Florida 1
Timothy K. Broschat and R.J. Black2Palms are a dominant part of south Florida's landscape and add a tropical image to this part of the state. Palms vary greatly in size from those that mature at a height of less than 3 feet with pencil-thick stems to monsters over 100 feet tall with trunks approaching 3 feet in diameter. Palms may be single-stemmed or have multiple trunks (clumping palms). Single-stemmed palms fit into small spaces better than most broadleaved trees since they do not branch. On the other hand, some clumping palms can become too large for typical residential landscapes. Palms may have feather-shaped (pinnate) leaves that impart a relatively fine texture, or fan-shaped (palmate or costapalmate) leaves that are very bold in texture. Some have rather rigid leaves, while others have weeping leaflets that provide additional interest in the landscape. Proper selection will ensure that the palm you plant will be appropriate for your particular site and desired effect.
Although most palms grow best in full sun, some are intolerant of direct sunlight and must be grown in shaded locations. Similarly, most palms are quite tolerant of both wet and dry soils once established. However, there are palms that cannot tolerate drought conditions and others that will not survive in very wet soils. When palms are to be planted near the coast, tolerance to salt spray is another important consideration when selecting palms. Palms listed as having high salt tolerance can be grown in exposed sites near the seashore, those with moderate salt tolerance must be planted in protected sites near the ocean, and those with low salt tolerance should not be planted within ¼ mile of the seashore.
Typically, palms will fare better in windstorms than broadleaf trees, but some are even better adapted than others. Proper palm selection will improve the chances of a palm thriving in a particular location. Table 1 lists a number of species that can be grown in south Florida landscapes. Although many other species have been successfully grown in south Florida, they are relatively rare in the nursery industry and thus are not readily available.
Palm Maintenance
Palms are often thought to be low maintenance plants in the landscape, but in south Florida's infertile soils, nutrient deficiencies are common and can result in unsightly deficiency symptoms or even death of a palm. Unlike broadleaf trees that usually grow well without fertilization, most palms in Florida landscapes require supplemental fertilization with an appropriate palm fertilizer to prevent or treat these deficiencies. For information about palm nutrient deficiencies and proper fertilization see EDIS publications EP273--Nutrient Deficiencies of Landscape and Field-grown Palms in Florid a and EP261--Fertilization of Field-grown and Landscape Palms in Florida.Another maintenance consideration is whether a palm is self-cleaning or not. Many tropical palms have tightly clasping leaf bases that form a smooth green stem-like area just above the true trunk called a crownshaft. Palms with crownshafts that do not have extensive potassium deficiency symptoms are self-cleaning. That is, old senescing leaves will fall off cleanly by themselves. When old leaves of non-crownshaft palms senesce, they will simply hang down against the trunk and must be manually cut off. It is important to note that half-dead or discolored older leaves that remain on a palm for several weeks or longer are probably exhibiting symptoms of potassium deficiency (see EDIS publication EP269--Potassium Deficiency in Palms ) and not natural senescence. Natural senescence of healthy old palm leaves takes only a few days for a leaf to turn from completely green to completely yellow and finally completely dead.
Insect Problems
Although most insect pests have a minor impact on palm appearance and health and are not particular about which palms they feed on, there are some exceptions. A few palms are particularly attractive to some insect pests that can become debilitating or even fatal to the palms.Other Considerations
In addition to palm physical appearance, susceptibility to disease or insect problems, and adaptability to a particular site, other attributes may also be important, especially if small children are present. Many palms have sharp spines on their petioles or trunks that can be quite dangerous. Others have fruits that contain high concentrations of skin-irritating chemicals. Such fruits should not be handled unless rubber gloves are worn.Planting
Palms may be planted during any season of the year, but the warm, rainy summer months are best. Small, container-grown palms of any species can be transplanted easily. However, some species such as Archontophoenix spp. are notoriously difficult to transplant from field nurseries.Follow the steps below when planting a palm:
For additional information on planting palms see EDIS publication EP001--Transplanting Palms.
- Dig the hole at least 6 inches larger in diameter than the root ball to ensure that the backfill soil will be in contact with the entire root ball. The hole should be deep enough so that the top of the root ball of a field-grown palm is even with the surface of the ground. For container-grown palms, make sure that the base of the stem (if visible) is about an inch below the surface of the soil.
- Amending the backfill soil is not recommended.
- Gently position the palm so that it is upright, and fill around the root ball with soil. Water thoroughly to remove any air pockets.
- Form a basin with soil around the perimeter of the root ball to retain water during irrigation.
- A 2- to 3-inch-deep layer of organic mulch will aid in water penetration and retention, moderate soil temperatures, and reduce weed growth.
- Support large trees with braces to maintain stability during the first 6 to 8 months. Nails should not be driven directly into palm trunks.
- Water daily for the first few weeks and frequently thereafter until the palms are well established.
Tables
Table 1. Ornamental Palms for South Florida
Scientific Name Common Names
Leaf Type
Crownshaft?
Typical Height
Stem Thickness
Growth Habit
Growth Rate
Salt Tolerance
Native?
Irritating Fruits?
Acoelorrhaphe wrightii Paurotis palm, Everglades palm
Fan
No
20 ft
Slender
Clumping
Moderate
Moderate
Yes
No
Comments: Allow plenty of room to spread. Spiny petioles may be a problem.
Adonidia merrillii Christmas palm, Manila palm
Feather
Yes
20 ft
Slender
Single-stem
Moderate
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Well-adapted to south Florida soils. Lethal yellowing may be a problem.
Aiphanes aculeata Ruffle palm
Feather
No
10 ft
Slender
Single-stem
Moderate
Low
No
No
Comments: Attractive small, but vicious palm. Spiny trunk and leaves may be a problem.
Allagoptera arenaria Seashore palm
Feather
No
6 ft
Slender
Clumping
Slow
High
No
No
Comments: Silvery foliage; excellent seaside palm. No major problems.
Archontophoenix alexandrae Alexandra palm; King palm
Feather
Yes
40 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Moderate
Low
No
Yes
Comments: Rigid leaflets often held in vertical plane. Difficult to transplant from a field nursery.
Archontophoenix cunninghamiana Picabeen palm
Feather
Yes
30 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Moderate
Low
No
Yes
Comments: Similar to A. alexandrae, but leaflets more lax. No major problems.
Areca catechu Betelnut palm
Feather
Yes
30 ft
Slender
Single-stem
Moderate
Low
No
No
Comments: Ringed green trunk. Cold-sensitive.
Areca vestiaria Orange crownshaft palm
Feather
Yes
10 ft
Slender
Single-stem
Moderate
Low
No
No
Comments: Striking orange-red crownshaft. Cold-sensitive.
Arenga engleri Dwarf sugar palm
Feather
No
10 ft
Slender
Clumping
Slow
Low
No
Yes
Comments: Allow plenty of room to spread. Individual stems die after fruiting.
Arenga pinnata Sugar palm
Feather
No
30 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Moderate
Moderate
No
Yes
Comments: Stiff black fibers around trunk. Short-lived; dies after fruiting.
Attalea spp. American oil palms
Feather
No
40 ft
Medium-thick
Single-stem
Slow
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Large palms with upright form. No major problems.
Bismarckia nobilis Bismarck palm
Fan
No
30 ft
Thick
Single-stem
Moderate
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Attractive blue-green foliage. Fares poorly in windstorms; difficult to transplant from field nursery.
Butia capitata Pindo palm; jelly palm
Feather
No
12 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Slow
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Edible fruits; blue-green foliage. Spiny petioles may be a problem.
Carpentaria acuminata Carpentaria palm
Feather
Yes
40 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Fast
Low
No
Yes
Comments: Attractive red fruits. Leaves easily tattered by wind; short-lived.
Caryota mitis Clustering fishtail palm
Feather
No
18 ft
Medium
Clumping
Moderate
Low
No
Yes
Comments: Unusually fine textured foliage. Palm dies after fruiting.
Caryota urens Toddy fishtail palm
Feather
No
40 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Moderate
Low
No
Yes
Comments: Attractive bipinnate foliage; C. maxima and C. no are similar. Short-lived; dies after fruiting
Chamaedorea cataractarum Cat palm
Feather
No
6 ft
Very Slender
Clumping
Moderate
Low
No
Yes
Comments: Grows best in shade. No major problems.
Chamaedorea elegans Parlor palm
Feather
No
3 ft
Very Slender
Single-stem
Slow
Low
No
Yes
Comments: Requires shade. No major problems.
Chamaedorea metallica Miniature fishtail palm
Feather
No
3 ft
Very Slender
Single-stem
Slow
Low
No
Yes
Comments: Blue-green 2-lobed leaves. No major problems.
Chamaedorea erumpens/C. seifrizii Bamboo palm/reed palm
Feather
No
6-8 ft
Very Slender
Clumping
Moderate
Low
No
Yes
Comments: Does best in shade. No major problems.
Chamaerops humilis European fan palm
Fan
No
10 ft
Slender
Clumping
Slow
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Leaf color varies from blue-green to light green. Spiny petioles may be a problem.
Chambeyronia macrocarpa Red feather palm
Feather
Yes
30 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Slow
Low
No
No
Comments: New leaves of some selections have reddish color. No major problems.
Coccothrinax spp Silver palms
Fan
No
15-25 ft
Slender
Single-stem
Slow
High
Yes/no
No
Comments: C. crinita has stiff curly hairs on trunk. No major problems.
Cocos nucifera Coconut palm
Feather
No
40-60 ft
Medium-thick
Single-stem
Moderate
High
No
No
Comments: Malayan dwarf has more slender straight trunk; all cultivars susceptible to lethal yellowing.
Copernicia alba Caranday palm
Fan
No
30 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Slow
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Light green foliage. Spiny petioles may be a problem.
Copernicia baileyana Bailey palm
Fan
No
40 ft
Thick
Single-stem
Slow
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Massive trunk; very majestic; best for large properties. Spiny petioles may be a problem.
Copernicia hospita Hospita palm
Fan
No
30 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Slow
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Blue-green foliage. Spiny petioles may be a problem.
Copernicia macroglossa Cuban petticoat palm
Fan
No
12 ft
Slender
Single-stem
Very Slow
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Retains a skirt of old leaves; extremely short petioles.
Copernicia prunifera Carnauba wax palm
Fan
No
30 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Slow-moderate
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Tolerates wet sites better than other Copernicia species. Spiny petioles may be a problem.
Dictyosperma album Princess palm; hurricane palm
Feather
No
20 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Moderate
Moderate
No
Yes
Comments: Var. rubrum has reddish foliage when young. Lethal yellowing may be a problem.
Dypsis cabadae Cabada palm
Feather
Yes
25 ft
Slender
Clumping
Moderate
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Attractive ringed green trunk. Potassium deficiency may be a problem.
Dypsis decaryi Triangle palm
Feather
Yes
25 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Moderate
Low
No
No
Comments: Leaves arranged in three planes. Potassium deficiency may be a problem.
Dypsis lastelliana Teddy bear palm
Feather
Yes
30 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Moderate
Low
No
No
Comments: Crownshaft is covered with rusty fuzz. No major problems.
Dypsis lutescens Areca palm; butterfly palm
Feather
Yes
25 ft
Slender
Clumping
Moderate
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Very high nutrient requirements; potassium and nitrogen deficiencies may cause problems.
Elaeis guineensis African oil palm
Feather
No
40 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Moderate
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Allow space for large canopy; very high nutritional requirements. Spiny petioles and nutrient deficiencies may cause problems.
Heterospathe elata Sagisi palm
Feather
No
40 ft
Slender
Single-stem
Slow-moderate
Low
No
No
Comments: Slow growing until trunk forms. No major problems.
Howea forsteriana Kentia palm
Feather
No
20 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Slow
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Does best in shade. Phytophthora bud rot may be a problem.
Hyophorbe lagenicaulis Bottle palm
Feather
Yes
10 ft
Thick
Single-stem
Slow
High
No
Yes
Comments: Bulbous trunk when young; holds few leaves. Potassium deficiency may be a problem.
Hyophorbe verschafeltii Spindle palm
Feather
Yes
15 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Slow
High
No
Yes
Comments: Similar to H. lagenicaulis but narrower trunk. Potassium deficiency may be a problem.
Hyphaene spp Gingerbread palms
Fan
No
30 ft
Medium
Clumping/branching
Slow
High
No
No
Comments: Broad spreading and even branching clumps of stems. Spiny petioles may be a problem.
Latania spp Latan palms
Fan
No
20 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Slow
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Blue-green foliage; leaves of juvenile L. lontaroides reddish. Leaf skeletonizer insects may be a problem.
Licuala grandis Licuala palm
Fan
No
8 ft
Slender
Single-stem
Slow
Low
No
No
Comments: Round leaves; does best in shade. Spiny petioles may be a problem.
Licuala spinosa Spiny licuala palm
Fan
No
8 ft
Slender
Clumping
Slow
Low
No
No
Comments: Leaves shaped like spokes of wheel. Spiny petioles may be a problem.
Livistona australis Australian fan palm
Fan
No
40 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Slow
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Attractive weeping leaflet tips. Potassium deficiency may be a problem.
Livistona chinensis Chinese fan palm
Fan
No
25 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Slow
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Slow growing until trunk forms. Lethal yellowing may be a problem.
Livistona decipiens Ribbon fan palm
Fan
No
30 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Slow-moderate
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Deeply divided weeping leaves. No major problems.
Livistona rotundifolia Roundleaf fan palm
Fan
No
40 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Moderate
Low
No
No
Comments: Round leaves; does best in shade. Spiny petioles may be a problem.
Livistona saribus Taraw palm
Fan
No
50 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Moderate
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Deeply divided weeping leaves. No major problems.
Phoenix canariensis Canary Island date palm
Feather
No
40 ft
Thick
Single-stem
Slow
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Intolerant of wet sites. Spiny petioles, lethal yellowing, fusarium wilt, palm weevils, and potassium and magnesium deficiencies may cause problems.
Phoenix dactylifera Date palm
Feather
No
50 ft
Medium
Clumping/single stem
Slow
High
No
No
Comments: Intolerant of wet sites; gray-green foliage. Spiny petioles and lethal yellowing are potential problems.
Phoenix reclinata Senegal date palm
Feather
No
30 ft
Medium
Clumping
Moderate
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Requires very large area. The palm is weedy, and spiny petioles may be a problem.
Phoenix roebelenii Pygmy date palm
Feather
No
12 ft
Slender
Single-stem
Slow
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Often develops crooked trunks. Spiny petioles and potassium deficiency may be problems.
Phoenix rupicola Cliff date
Feather
No
25 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Moderate
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Smaller than P. dactylifera. Spiny petioles may be a problem.
Phoenix sylvestris Wild date palm
Feather
No
40 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Slow
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Gray-green foliage; smaller than P. dactylifera. Spiny petioles and lethal yellowing may be problems.
Pinanga coronata Ivory cane palm
Feather
Yes
10 ft
Very slender
Clumping
Moderate
Low
No
Yes
Comments: Does best in protected shady site. No major problems.
Pseudophoenix sargentii Buccaneer palm
Feather
No
10 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Slow
High
Yes
Yes
Comments: Holds only a few leaves; blue-green foliage. No major problems.
Ptychosperma elegans Solitaire palm
Feather
Yes
25 ft
Slender
Single-stem
Moderate
Low
No
No
Comments: Often grown as multiples in a container. Can be weedy.
Ptychosperma macarthurii Macarthur palm
Feather
Yes
25 ft
Slender
Clumping
Moderate
Low
No
Yes
Comments: Can be weedy.
Ravenea rivularis Majesty palm
Feather
No
20 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Moderate
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Stays relatively short for a long time; Light green foliage. Weevils can be a problem.
Rhapidophyllum hystrix Needle palm
Fan
No
5 ft
Very Slender
Clumping
Slow
Moderate
Yes
No
Comments: Grows best in shade. Spiny trunks can be a problem.
Rhapis excelsa Lady palm
Fan
No
8 ft
Very Slender
Clumping
Moderate
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Grows best in shade. Spreads quickly, which can cause problems.
Roystonea spp Royal palms
Feather
Yes
70 ft
Thick
Single-stem
Fast
Moderate
Yes/no
Yes
Comments: Best for large properties. Royal palm bug and potassium deficiency can be problems.
Sabal causiarum Puerto Rican hat palm
Fan
No
40 ft
Very Thick
Single-stem
Slow
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Massive trunk; best for large properties. No major problems.
Sabal mauritiiformis
Fan
No
30 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Moderate
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Faster growing than S. palmetto. Leaves easily tattered by wind.
Sabal minor Dwarf palmetto; blue palmetto
Fan
No
6 ft
None
Single-stem
Very Slow
Moderate
Yes
No
Comments: Nice trunkless palm. No major problems.
Sabal palmetto Cabbage palm; sabal palm
Fan
No
40 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Very Slow
High
Yes
No
Comments: Florida state tree. No major problems.
Serenoa repens Saw palmetto
Fan
No
6 ft
Slender
Clumping
Slow
High
Yes
No
Comments: Blue-green and green forms exist; allow space for spreading. Spiny petioles may be a problem.
Syagrus coronata
Feather
No
30 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Slow
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Attractive spiral pattern of old leaf bases. No major problems.
Syagrus romanzoffiana Queen palm
Feather
No
35 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Fast
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Poorly adapted for alkaline soils; fares poorly in hurricanes. Potassium, manganese, and boron deficiencies and sudden death syndrome can be problems.
Syagrus schizophylla Arikury palm
Feather
No
15 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Moderate
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Small palm with upright form. Potassium deficiency and spiny petioles may be problems.
Thrinax spp Thatch palms
Fan
No
20 ft
Slender
Single-stem
Slow
High
Yes
No
Comments: Excellent small palms. No major problems.
Veitchia spp
Feather
Yes
30-60 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Fast
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Some species can get too tall for residential properties. No major problems.
Washingtonia robusta Mexican fan palm
Fan
No
80 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Fast
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Older specimens are self-cleaning. Spiny petioles may be a problem.
Wodyetia bifurcata Foxtail palm
Feather
Yes
30 ft
Medium
Single-stem
Fast
Moderate
No
No
Comments: Poorly adapted for alkaline soils. Potassium and manganese deficiencies may be problems.
Zombia antillarum Zombie palm
Fan
No
15 ft
Slender
Clumping
Slow
High
No
No
Comments: Attractive spirally-arranged pattern of spines on trunk. Spiny trunk may be a problem.
Footnotes
1. This document is ENH-21 (which supersedes OH-21), one of a series of the Department of Environmental Horticulture, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. First published May, 1988. Reviewed July, 2007.2. Timothy K. Broschat, Professor of tropical ornamental horticulture, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center and Department of Environmental Horticulture, and Robert J. Black, professor emeritus, Extension Consumer Horticulturist, Department of Environmental Horticulture, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.
Copyright Information
This document is copyrighted by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) for the people of the State of Florida. UF/IFAS retains all rights under all conventions, but permits free reproduction by all agents and offices of the Cooperative Extension Service and the people of the State of Florida. Permission is granted to others to use these materials in part or in full for educational purposes, provided that full credit is given to the UF/IFAS, citing the publication, its source, and date of publication.