• Topics: Environmental Horticulture  | Palms (MG, North and Central Florida ed.)  | Landscape Tree Selection -- North Florida  | Landscape Plant Selection -- North Florida  | Black, Robert J  | Palm Selection 

Ornamental Palms for North Florida¹

Palms are a prominent part of south Florida's landscape and add a tropical image to this part of the state. Although most palms are not cold hardy and should be planted only in southern portions of the state, there are some that can be grown successfully in north Florida.

Palms for landscaping are available in many sizes and forms, varying from large, majestic trees to small shrubs. Many palms have single trunks, but multiple-trunk forms can add interest to the landscape. Small palms with delicate foliage and multiple-trunk palms can be used for natural plantings. Palms with either feather (pinnate) or fan-shaped (palmate) leaves can be selected.

Selection and Use

Many palms are available for landscaping homes, parks, streets, and commercial buildings. Palms are used in the landscape as specimens, border plants, patio trees, and street plantings. Specimen plants used individually have a distinctive or majestic quality that attracts immediate interest. For use in border plantings, palms require dense foliage to screen or fill an area. Smaller species that are reasonably free of litter are excellent for patios. Large palms used for street plantings should be able to survive with little maintenance once established. Many palms can be grown indoors as well as outdoors.

Table 1 in this publication includes palms that are well adapted to north Florida. Selection should be based on the intended use and characteristics of the site. Palms selected for coastal sites need to have salt spray tolerance. Careful study of the list of palms and their characteristics will allow selection of the right palm for the landscape needs.

Lethal Yellowing

Increasing numbers of palm species are suspected of being susceptible to a disease called lethal yellowing (LY). The first occurrence of LY in Florida was reported in Key West, and it has since spread to many southern counties. Efforts continue to prevent the spread of LY into central and north Florida. Although LY has been especially devastating to the coconut palm, other palms have exhibited varying degrees of susceptibility to LY. A complete list of susceptible palms can be obtained by contacting your local County Extension Office. Some palms recommended in this publication are moderately susceptible and their susceptibility will be noted in the chart.

Planting

Palms should be planted and cared for properly to insure that they will be healthy and attractive. Palms may be planted during any season of the year, but the warm, rainy, summer months are best. Palms from nurseries are often in containers, and little loss or setback occurs when the soil ball remains intact during transplanting.

Follow the steps below when planting a palm:

1. Dig the hole wide enough to accept the root ball easily and to provide at least several inches of new growth from the ball. The hole need only be deep enough to situate the palm at the same depth at which it previously grew.

2. The amending of backfill soil from the planting hole is not recommended.

3. Gently place the palm straight in the hole and fill around the ball with unamended soil. Water thoroughly to remove any air pockets.

4. Form a basin with soil at the periphery of the root ball to retain water during irrigation.

5. Mulch with a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic material to buffer soil temperature, conserve moisture, and reduce weed competition.

6. Support large palms with braces to maintain stability during the first 6 to 8 months after planting. Nails should not be driven directly into a palm trunk.

7. Water daily for the first few weeks and frequently thereafter until palms are well established

8. A light application of partially slow-release "palm special" fertilizer can be banded at the margin of the root ball 3 to 4 months after transplanting.

Fertilizing

Palms' nutritional requirements are different from those of other landscape plants. Established palms should be fertilized with a 4-1-6-2 Mg (N-P₂0₅-K₂0-Mg) ratio fertilizer (for example, a fertilizer marked “8-2-12-4 Mg”). The nutrients N, K₂0, and Mg should should be included in equivalent percentages in controlled-release form. Because palms are highly prone to several potentially fatal micronutrient deficiencies, any fertilizer applied to them should contain 1 to 2 percent iron and manganese, plus trace amounts of zinc, copper, and boron, to prevent these deficiencies.

Tables

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. Millie Ferrer, Interim Dean.

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