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Palms for North Florida1
Edwin R. Duke and Gary W. Knox2Palm (päm) n. Any of various chiefly tropical evergreen trees, shrubs or woody vines of the family Palmae (Arecaceae), having unbranched trunks with a crown of pinnate or palmate leaves having conspicuous parallel venation. [ME<OE<OFr. Palme, both < Latin palma, palm of the hand.] American Heritage College Dictionary, 3rd ed.
Palms are a prominent part of the Florida landscape. While many of the palms used in the southern parts of the state are not cold hardy, there is still a good selection of palm species that will grow in more northern regions ( Figure 1 ).
Predicting Cold Hardiness in Palms
Palms suitable for northern Florida must be able to withstand at least intermittent periods of below-freezing weather. It is difficult to make generalizations about the cold hardiness of palms. Different growers report different experiences with the same species of palm after a cold spell. The reasons for this are numerous - the nature of the cold spell itself, microclimate differences surrounding the palm, and the palms themselves.
Figure 1. Chinese Fam Palm, Livistona chinensis is one of many cold hardy palms. Note spines on the leaf petiole. A cold spell can come on slowly or quickly. It is generally thought that a gradual cooling allows plants to acclimate or "harden off." The length of time and depth of hard freeze, wind speed, and relative humidity can also influence how destructive a cold spell might be.
Microclimates surrounding a particular plant can influence whether or not a palm will survive a particular cold spell. A plant sheltered by a building or other plants is more likely to survive than one that is exposed. The elevation of a location can also be a factor in a plant's survival-cold air tends to accumulate in low-lying areas.
Finally, how successfully a palm can withstand cold is determined by the palm itself. Its age, height, hereditary differences selected out over time by environmental influences in its native habitat, and the overall health of the palm all have an effect on a plant's survival of many environmental conditions, including cold.
It would seem simple to predict a palm's cold hardiness by looking at a few variables regarding the palm's native habitat-is the palm native to the cooler northern or southern latitudes rather than nearer the equator? Is the palm native to higher altitudes? -however, some tropical species have been found to be somewhat hardy.
Perhaps the best indicator of the potential cold hardiness of a palm is its ability to withstand drought. Many of the more cold tolerant palms come from regions with distinct wet and dry seasons. Freezing stress for any plant is in many ways similar to drought stress, at both the whole-plant and the cellular level-freezing temperatures prevent or reduce the uptake and translocation of water. Tropical or subtropical palms that are adapted to survive the stress of low water conditions (no matter what conditions - cold or drought - are causing it) will have a better chance of surviving cold temperatures. Palms that grow in semi-arid areas, savannas, exposed sandy coastal zones, and on exposed well-drained rocky outcrops are prime candidates for testing in colder climates.
Growing Conditions for Palms
In many ways, the growing conditions of Florida are ideal for growing palms. Our hot, wet summers and cool, dry winters (relatively speaking) are ideal for the growth of most (but not all) species of palms. In addition, much of Florida is covered with sandy soils underlain by limestone, both of which are conducive to the growth of many palms. The heavier, clay soils found in limited regions of northwest Florida may be made more suitable for the growth of desert-adapted palms by the addition of sand or perlite to 'lighten" the soil. In addition, planting the palm in a raised berm may improve the palm's chance of survival.Maintenance of Palms
Palms are not particularly high maintenance plants, but their care must not be neglected. In Florida, the season for rapid growth coincides with the arrival of high temperatures (80°F or more). It is during that time that maintenance is most important.Mineral Nutrition
Palms suffer quickly and conspicuously from improper mineral nutrition. The problems may arise from either insufficient or improper fertilization.Potassium (K) deficiency is perhaps the most widespread and serious nutritional problem of palms. Florida's sandy soils have a poor ability to retain nutrients. This factor combined with heavy rainfall make Florida's soil low in potassium content.
Symptoms of potassium deficiency vary among palm species but typically begin with translucent yellow or orange "freckles" on the leaflets of the oldest leaves. As the symptoms progress, the freckles may be accompanied by necrotic (dead tissue) lesions. Further progression of the deficiency results in marginal necrosis of the leaflets. The leaflets or entire fronds may become withered or frizzled in appearance.
The first response of most gardeners to partial necrosis of leaves is to prune off the "offending" frond. Rather than helping, this actually worsens the problem by preventing the palm from translocating the remaining potassium to the plant's growing point.
Magnesium (Mg) deficiency is also quite common, especially on date palm (Phoenix species). Typical symptoms include a broad band of chlorotic (yellow) tissue along the margin of the older leaves. The center of the leaf remains green. As with potassium deficiency, leaves exhibiting magnesium deficiency should not be removed until they are dead in order to allow the remaining magnesium to be moved to the newer leaves.
Prevention is the key to both potassium and magnesium deficiency. Once symptoms appear, they cannot be reversed. Some "palm special" fertilizers are specially formulated to contain elevated (and balanced) levels of potassium and magnesium, as well as nitrogen, in a controlled-release form.
Iron (Fe) deficiency sometimes occurs in palms in the growing season following a cold winter or in palms growing in poorly aerated soils. Cold temperatures may induce nutrient deficiency by slowing or preventing nutrient uptake. Waterlogged soil effectively suffocates the roots, also preventing nutrient uptake. Iron deficiency appears first on the newest leaves and is characterized by yellowing between leaf veins.
Iron deficiency symptoms may be alleviated by foliar application of iron chelate. This is especially effective for symptoms caused by transient cold spells. However, long term correction of symptoms due to poor soil conditions is best achieved by changing soil conditions.
For more detailed information on palm nutrition, refer to IFAS publications, Nutrient Deficiencies of Landscape and Field-Grown Palms in Florida, and Fertilization of Field-growna and Landscape Palms in Floridab.
Irrigation
Most palms tolerate some drought. However, it is a good idea to keep palms well-watered during the active growing period. Keep in mind that "well-watered" does not mean waterlogged. Damage of roots due to waterlogging may induce certain nutrient deficiencies and allow infection by pathogenic fungi or bacteria.The cooler winter months coincide with periods of slower growth. During this time, most palms, but especially those from desert areas, do best with reduced irrigation.
Insects and Diseases
As a group, palms are fairly resistant to pests and diseases. This does not mean, however, that they are pest-free. Certain insects and diseases have proven especially devastating for palms.Palms are not immune to common pests such as caterpillars, aphids, scales, and spider mites. These pests may be controlled by conventional means.
A not-so-common problem for many palms is the palmetto weevil (Rhynchophorus cruentatus). This weevil is attracted to stressed palms, especially during or after transplanting. The adult female deposits her eggs near the crown of the plant, and the resulting larvae tunnel through the tender meristem tissue. Death of the meristem results in the death of the entire palm.
Prevention by reducing stress to the palm is the best method to control the palmetto weevil. The practice of removing the majority of the fronds and roots of a palm during transplanting is one method to reduce transplant stress. For more information, refer to Palmetto Weevil, 'Rhynchophorus cruentatus'c.
Several fungal diseases have proven especially damaging to certain palms. Ganoderma, Fusarium, Phytophthora, and Thielaviopsis are fungi that cause diseases that may result in the death of affected palms see IFAS publications Ganoderma Butt Rot of Palmsd; Fusarium Wilt of Canary Island Date Palme; Thielaviopsis Trunk Rot of Palmf; and Bud Rots of Palmg. Additional information on diseases may be found in Leaf Spots and Leaf Blights of Palmh.
A number of conditions resembling pest damage may be caused by environmental factors. For more information, refer to IFAS publication Physiological Disorders of Landscape Palmsi.
Pruning
Like all plants, palms benefit from regular pruning. Ideally, pruning of palms should be limited to removing dead fronds. Practically, this is not always acceptable. When fronds with living tissue need to be pruned, remove only the lower fronds extending out less than 90 degrees from the trunk.New growth should never be pruned. The natural growth habit of palms does not allow them to be maintained at a constant height.
Treating Cold Damaged Palms
Even with the best of care, palms growing in northern Florida are going to experience temperatures below those that they can tolerate without damage.Effects of Cold Temperatures
Cold weather affects palms in several ways. Growth of the apical bud is reduced, and growth of roots is slowed. This reduced activity often weakens the palm to the point that diseases may become active and kill the palm.Severe cold damage caused by frost or below-freezing temperatures may destroy plant tissues. Due to the nature of the water-conducting tissue in palms, the destruction of stem tissue may severely reduce water conduction for years. As warmer weather returns, plant pathogens, whether primary or secondary, may attack weakened plants through damaged tissue.
After a Freeze
After a palm experiences damaging temperatures, it is important to protect the growing point until active growth resumes.Carefully inspect the damaged fronds before pruning. Leaves should not be removed if they still contain viable green tissue. The green portions of leaves are important for adequate production of sugars from photosynthesis. Allowing the leaves to die naturally allows the nutrients remaining in the leaf to be translocated to other areas where they are needed.
Immediately after pruning away dead tissue, spray the palm with a fungicide; copper-containing fungicides often are recommended. This will reduce the level of potentially pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Repeat the fungicide spray as recommended by the fungicide label or about 10 days after the first treatment. Make sure that these sprays cover the damaged tissue and the bud thoroughly. If the fungicide contains copper, do not repeat the sprays more than twice so as to avoid possible copper toxicity. If the soil has frozen, a soil drench of a combination of a broad-spectrum and a water mold-specific fungicide may suppress root diseases.
Freeze damage to the palm's vascular tissue in the trunk may limit the ability of the plant to supply water to the canopy. Unlike typical trees, palms do not have the ability to regenerate vascular tissue within the trunk. A sudden collapse of some (or all) of the leaves during the first periods of high temperatures in the spring or summer following a damaging winter freeze may indicate this type of trunk damage. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done at this point. Loss of the palm is likely inevitable.
Palm Selection
An important factor to consider when selecting a palm for a particular area is the average minimum temperature that can be expected. The US Department of Agriculture has used historical climatic data to divide the country into climate zones. Each zone represents a 10°F range. Most of northern Florida can be placed in one of two USDA climate zones. Extreme northern parts of the state are placed in the lower half of USDA zone 8 (10° - 19°F), meaning that the average minimum temperature that may be expected is 15°F. Coastal regions of the northern Florida are typically in the upper half of zone 9 (20° - 29°F), meaning that the average minimum temperature that may be expected is 20°F. Of course these are only average lows. Single digit lows have been recorded several times in the last 100 years.The table in this publication includes palms exhibiting some degree of cold hardiness. In addition to cold hardiness, intended use and characteristics of the site should be used as selection criteria. Careful study of the list of palms and their characteristics will allow selection of the right palm for the landscape situation.
Availability
Palms are increasingly appreciated by consumers. Cold hardy palms are in great demand and the nursery industry is responding with additional production. Currently, palms that are most widely available are in the genera Butia (pindo palm), Chamaedorea (parlor palm), Livistona (fan palm), Phoenix (date palm), Rhapidophyllum (needle palm), Rhapis (lady palm), Sabal (palmetto), Serenoa (saw palmetto), Syagrus (queen palm), Trachycarpus (windmill palm), and Washingtonia (washington palm; Figure 2 ). Refer to Table 1 for specific species and their cold hardiness information. Other cold hardy palms may be found at better garden centers and specialty nurseries.
Figure 2. Washingtonia filifera leaves - note filaments hanging from leaf margins. Endnotes
a Nutrient Deficiencies of Landscape and Field-Grown Palms in Florida, ILN# ENH1018 / DLN# EP273 (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP273 )b Fertilization of Field-grown and Landscape Palms in Florida, ILN# ENH1009 / DLN# EP261 (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP261 )
c Palmetto Weevil, Rhynchophorus cruentatus, ILN# EENY013 / DLN# IN139 (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN139 )
d Ganoderma Butt Rot of Palms, ILN# PP54 / DLN# PP100 (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP100 )
e Fusarium Wilt of Canary Island Date Palm, ILN# PP215 / DLN# PP139 (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP139 )
f Thielaviopsis Trunk Rot of Palm, ILN# PP219 / DLN# PP143 (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP143 )
g Bud Rots of Palm, ILN# PP220 / DLN# PP144 (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP144 )
h Leaf Spots and Leaf Blights of Palm, ILN# PP218 / DLN# PP142 (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP142 )
i Physiological Disorders of Landscape Palms, ILN# ENH1011 / DLN# EP263 (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP263 )
References
Fox, A.M., D.R. Gordon, J.A. Dusky, L. Tyson, and R.K. Stocker. 2005. IFAS Assessment of the Status of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/assessment/ (Accessed 28 August 2007).Gilman, E.F. 2006. Palms in the Landscape. http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/palms.html (Accessed 28 August 2007).
McClendon, T., W. Roberds and J. LeVert. 2007. Hardy Palms for the Southeast. Southeastern Palm Society, Inc., Apison, TN. 140 pp.
Southeastern Palm Society. 2007. Hardy Palms: A Quick Reference. http://www.sepalms.org/Hardy%20Palms/SPS_Hardy_Palms_A_Quick_Reference.htm (Accessed 28 August 2007).
University of Florida/IFAS Fort Lauderdale REC faculty and staff. 2007. Palm Production & Maintenance. http://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu/palm_prod/palm_production.shtml (Accessed 28 August 2007).
Tables
Table 1. Palms for northern Florida and their associated characteristics3.
Scientific Name
Common Name
Origin
Native Habitat
Hardiness Zone
Typical Height
Growth Rate
Habit
Light
Salt Tolerance
Leaf Type
Foliage Color
Comments
Acoelorrhaphe wrightii
Paurotis palm, Everglades palm
Southern Florida, Caribbean region
Moist, swamp-like regions
9a - 11
23°F
20'
Slow to moderate
Clustering
Partial shade to full sun
Moderate
Palmate
Green, silvery-green below
Native to the Florida Everglades. Adaptable to drier soils. Reported to tolerate 19°F.
Arenga engleri
Dwarf sugar palm
Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands
Open forests
9a - 11
23°F
6 - 8'
Slow to moderate
Clustering
Partial shade to full sun
Low
Pinnate
Dark green above, silvery below
Fiber-covered stems. Fruit contain irritating calcium oxylate crystals.
Brahea armata
Blue hesper palm
Mexico, southern California
Arid, desert regions
8a - 10
14°F
30 - 40'; 4 - 8 in FL
Slow
Solitary
Full sun
Moderate
Costa-palmate
Blue-green, waxy
Does not like high humidity. Requires well-drained soil.
Butia capitata
Pindo palm, jelly palm
Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay
Coastal grassland plains
8 - 10
14°F
15'
Slow
Solitary
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Pinnate
Blue-green
Hardiest of the feather-leaved palms. Widely cultivated. Exhibits variability from plant to plant. Var. strictior has fronds with less curve. Hybridizes with members of the genus Syagrus.
Butia eriospatha
Wooly jelly palm
Southern Brazil
Hillsides to 4000'
8 - 10
15°F
15 - 20'
Slow
Solitary
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Pinnate
Blue-green to blue-gray
Leaf bases covered with brown hair. Faster growing than B. capitata.
Butia yatay
Yatay palm
South America
Dry savannas
8 - 10
15°F
35'
Slow
Solitary
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Pinnate
Gray-green
Similar to B. capitata, but having more widely spreading leaves.
Butia X Jubaea hybrid
No common name
Occurs only in cultivation
Not applicable
8a - 10
13°F
40' +
Moderate
Solitary
Full sun
Moderate
Pinnate
Bluish- green
Faster growing and more cold hardy than either parent. Massive trunk with retained leaf bases.
Butia X Syagrus hybrid X Butiagrus nabonnandii
Mule palm
Occasionally produced in the wild in South America
Dry savannas
8b - 10
19°F
40' +
Moderate
Solitary
Full sun
Unknown - likely moderate
Pinnate
Bluish-green
Resembles Butia more than Syagrus - but with finer, less stiff foliage. Faster growing than Butia.
Chamaedorea elegans
Parlor palm
Mexico and Central America
Rainforest understory
9a - 11
24°F
3 - 5'
Slow
Solitary
Shade to partial shade
Low
Pinnate
Green
Popular houseplant since Victorian times. Separate male and female plants. Most effective when several planted together. Chamaedorea microspadix
Hardy bamboo palm
Mexico
Open forests
8b - 11
18°F
8'
Moderate
Clustering
Shade to partial shade
Low
Pinnate
Dull green
Resembles C. seifrizii and C. erumpens, popular interior palms.
Chamaedorea radicalis
Radicalis palm
Mexico
High elevation rainforests
8b - 11
19°F
5'
Slow to moderate
Solitary
Shade to partial shade
Low
Pinnate
Dark green
Often trunkless, but trunked forms exist. Separate male and female plants.
Chamaerops humilis
European fan palm
Mediterran-ean Region
Arid coastal zones to 3000' in elevation
8 - 9
16°F
10'
Slow
Clustering
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate - may be variable
Palmate
Green, blue-green and silvery forms
Great variability from one plant to another. Var. cerifera is blue-green in color and is not as cold hardy as the green form.
Corypha umbraculifera
Talipot palm
Southern India and Sri Lanka
Rainforest
9a - 11
20°F
80'
Slow when young
Solitary
Full sun to partial shade
Low
Costa-palmate
Dull green
Flowers after 60 - 80 years and then dies. Massive leaves 12 - 18' in diameter when mature. Dies after flowering
Dypsis baronii
Sugar cane palm
Madagascar
Mountain regions around 1600'
9a - 11
24°F
15'
Slow to moderate
Solitary
Full sun to partial shade
Low
Pinnate
Green
Heat and drought tolerant, but does best with adequate water.
Dypsis decipiens
Manambe palm
Madagascar
Dry highlands to 6700 feet
9a - 11
21°F
15'
Slow
Solitary
Full sun
Low
Pinnate
Blue-green
One of the few cold-tolerant palms with a crown shaft.
Guihaia argyrata
Dainty lady palm
Vietnam
Open forests on limestone hills
9a - 11
22°F
4'
Slow
Clustering
Shade to partial shade
Low
Palmate
Green above, silvery white below
First placed in the genus Trachycarpus. Grows best at higher pH.
Howea forsteriana
Kentia palm
Lord Howe Island, New South Wales, Australia
9a - 11
24°F
6 - 14'
Slow
Solitary
Partial shade
Moderate
Pinnate
Dark green above, lighter below
Excellent container plant.
Jubaea chilensis
Chilean wine palm
Chile
Desert, coastal valleys
8b - 10a
14°F
50-80'
Very slow
Solitary
Full sun
Low
Pinnate
Dull green above, gray below
Requires well drained soil. Has the thickest trunk of any palm - up to 6 feet in diameter.
Latania lontaroides
Red latan palm
Reunion Island (Mascarenes)
Cliffs and coastal ravines
9a - 11
24°F
30'
Slow
Solitary
Full sun
Moderate
Costa-palmate
Gray- green and slightly waxy
Distinctive red coloration when young. Drought tolerant.
Livistona australis
Australian fan palm
Australia
Rainforest understory
9a - 11
22°F
40'
Slow
Solitary
Partial shade to full sun
Moderate
Palmate
Deep, glossy green
Secondmost cold hardy Livistona after L. chinensis.
Livistona chinensis
Chinese fan palm
China, southern Japan
Open forests
8b - 11
18°F
25'
Slow
Solitary
Partial shade to full sun
Moderate
Palmate
Olive Green
Often defoliated by hard freezes, but re-grows a new canopy in spring. Rarely forms trunk in northern regions. Armed petiole
Livistona decipiens
Ribbon fan palm
Australia
River banks and coastal areas
9a - 11
23°F
30'
Slow to moderate
Solitary
Partial shade to full sun
Moderate
Palmate
Deep green above, waxy gray below
The leaves are deeply divided and the long segments hang downward in a curtain-like manner.
Nannorrhops ritchiana
Mazari palm
Afghanistan, Pakistan to Arabia
Desert mountain regions
7b - 11
7°F
10'
Slow
Clustering
Full sun
Moderate
Costa-palmate
Blue-green
Requires well-drained soil. After flowering and fruiting, a stem will eventually die back, but not before branching just below the crown.
Phoenix canariensis
Canary Island date palm
Canary Islands
Desert regions, 600 - 1900'
8b - 11
19°F
40'
Very slow
Solitary
Full sun
Moderate
Pinnate
Dull deep green
Form impressive, large specimens. Poorly drained sites should be avoided.
Phoenix dactylifera
Date palm
North Africa - exact origin unknown
Desert regions
8b - 11
19°F
40 - 50'
Slow
Slowly clustering
Full sun
High
Pinnate
Gray-green
Most landscape specimens transplanted from date groves in AZ or CA.
Phoenix reclinata5
Senegal date palm
Africa
Desert regions
9a - 11
25°F
24 - 30'
Moderate
Clustering
Full sun
Moderate
Pinnate
Dark green
Suckers vigorously. Slender trunks. Thicker trunks may indicate hybridization with other Phoenix species, and may be indicative of greater cold tolerance.
Phoenix roebelenii
Pygmy date palm
Southeast Asia - Laos, Vietnam, Thailand
Rainforests
9a - 11
24°F
10'
Slow
Solitary
Partial shade to full sun
Low
Pinnate
Glossy green
May require some protection in particularly cold periods. Separate male and female plants. Adapts well to container production.
Phoenix sylvestris
Wild date palm
India
Desert regions
9a - 11
22°F
40'
Slow
Solitary
Full sun
Moderate
Pinnate
Blue-green
Shorter leaves than P. canariensis and P. dactylifera. Hybridizes with other Phoenix species.
Phoenix theophrastii
Cretan date palm
Crete, limited areas of Turkey
Arid, desert-like regions
8b - 11
19°F
25'
Slow
Clustering
Full sun
Moderate
Pinnate
Silvery-gray
Similar to P. reclinata, but more cold hardy.
Rhapidophyllum hystrix
Needle palm
Southeastern US
Dry, pine flatwoods
7b - 10a
5°F
5'
Slow
Clustering
Partial shade to full sun
Moderate
Palmate
Dark green above, silvery below
Florida native. Separate male and female plants. 10 - 12" needles from crown.
Rhapis excelsa
Lady palm
China
Forest understory
9a - 11
21°F
7'
Moderate
Clustering
Shade to partial shade
Moderate
Palmate
Shiny Green
Leaves tend to yellow with too much sun. Excellent container plant. Variegated forms available, but very expensive.
Rhapis humilis
Slender lady palm
China
Known only in culture
9a - 11
21°F
13'
Slow
Clustering
Shade to partial shade
Moderate
Palmate
Green, slightly shiny
Smaller stems and leaves than R. excelsa. All plants are male; no females exist.
Sabal bermudana
Bermuda palmetto
Bermuda
Sandy, dry regions
8b - 11
16°F
25'
Slow
Solitary
Full sun
Moderate to high
Costa-palmate
Blue-green
Requires well-drained location.
Sabal causiarum
Puerto Rican hat palm
Puerto Rico
Sandy, dry regions
8b - 11
19°F
50'
Slow
Solitary
Full sun
Moderate to high
Costa-palmate
Green
Massive trunk, not frequently seen in the landscape.
Sabal domingensis
Dominican palmetto
Haiti, Hispanola, eastern Cuba
Hot dry inland areas to 3300'
9a - 11
22°F
60'
Slow to moderate
Solitary
Full sun
Moderate to high
Costa-palmate
Green
Large whitish trunk. Thrives on sandy soils
Sabal etonia
Scrub palmetto
Southeastern US
Dry scrublands
8b - 10
16°F
5'
Slow
Solitary
Partial shade to full sun
Moderate
Costa-palmate to palmate
Dull green to blue-green
Similar to S. minor but has smaller, deeply folded leaves.
Sabal mexicana
Rio Grande palmetto
Texas, Mexico, El Salvador
Arid, desert-like regions
8b - 11
17°F
40'
Slow
Solitary
Full sun
Moderate
Costa-palmate
Emerald green
Drought tolerant, but grows faster with adequate water.
Sabal minor
Dwarf palmetto
Southeastern US
Understory of pine flatwoods
7a - 10b
5°F
6'
Slow
Solitary
Partial shade to shade
Moderate
Costa-palmate to palmate Green to blue-green
Does not form a trunk. Larger crown than S. palmetto.
Sabal palmetto
Cabbage palm
Southeastern US
8a - 11
10°F
30 - 40'
Slow
Solitary
Full sun
High
Costa-palmate
Dull green
The state tree of both FL and SC. Adapts well to many different soils and situations.
Sabal rosei
Llana Palm
Western Mexico
Dry savannas
8a - 11
10°F
25 - 30'
Slow
Solitary
Full sun
Costa-palmate
Blue-green
Drought and flood tolerant. Trunk is more slender than that of S. palmetto.
Sabal umbraculifera
Hispanolian palm
Santo Domingo
7b - 11
9°F
60'
Slow
Solitary
Full sun
High
Costa-palmate
Dull green
Stout, heavy trunk with very large leaves. Thrives on sandy soil.
Sabal uresana
Soronan palmetto
Mexico
Open forest
8b - 11
14°F
60' +
Slow
Solitary
Full sun
Moderate
Costa-palmate
Silvery-blue
Bluish tint to foliage becomes less distinct as the plant ages.
Serenoa repens
Saw palmetto
Southeastern US
Dry pine flatwoods
8b - 11
18°F
3 - 6'
Slow
Clumping
Partial shade to full sun
High
Palmate
Green or blue green, waxy
Florida native. Large specimens do not transplant easily.
Syagrus romanzoffiana6
Queen palm
Brazil to Argentina
Lowland humid forests
9a - 11
23°F
30'
Fast
Solitary
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Pinnate
Dark green
Susceptible to Mn deficiency on high-pH soil. Produces large numbers of fruit which some consider messy.
Trachycarpus fortunei
Windmill palm, chusan palm
China
Mountain regions to 7500'
8a - 10a
10°F
20'
Slow
Solitary
Partial shade to full sun
Moderate
Palmate
Dark green above, silvery below
Fiber-covered trunk. Very cold hardy, even tolerating light snow.
Trachycarpus latisectus
Windamere palm
Himalayas of northern India
Mountain regions to 8000'
7a - 10a
1°F
18'
Slow
Solitary
Partial shade to full sun
Moderate
Palmate
Dark green
Leaves shed naturally, leaving a smooth slender trunk. Unknown before 1992.
Trachycarpus martianus
Himilayan windmill palm
China, Nepal, India
Mountain regions
9a - 10a
23°F
20'
Slow
Solitary
Partial shade to full sun
Moderate
Palmate
Green above, silvery below
Slimmer trunk than T. fortunei. New growth covered by whitish pubescence.
Trachycarpus oreophilus
Thai mountain fan palm
Northwest Thailand
Rocky outcrops, mountain regions
8a - 10a
14°F
30'
Slow
Solitary
Partial shade to full sun
Unknown
Palmate
Green above, silvery below
Small compact crown of foliage. Smooth, slender trunk.
Trachycarpus takil
Kamaon fan palm
North central India
Mountain regions to 8000'
7b - 10a
6°F
25'
Slow to moderate
Solitary
Partial shade to full sun
Unknown
Palmate
Green
Compact growth habit. Smooth trunk.
Trachycarpus wagnerianus
Wagner's fan palm
Japan
Unknown in the wild
8a - 10a
13°F
10'
Slow
Solitary
Partial shade to full sun
Unknown
Palmate
Green above, silver below
Similar to T. fortunei, but smaller. Fiber-covered trunk.
Trithrinax acanthocoma
Spiny fiber palm
Southern Brazil
Open forests, dry savannas
9a - 11
20°F
15'
Slow
Solitary
Full sun
Moderate
Palmate
Deep green above, whitish below
Not widely cultivated. Long spines on trunk.
Trithrinax campestris
Blue needle palm, Caranday palm
Argentina and Uruguay
Arid regions
8a - 11
13°F
12'
Slow
Clumping
Full sun
High
Palmate
Blue-green
Erect, stiff leaflets. Drought tolerant. Fiber-covered trunk with stiff spines. Good drainage essential.
Washingtonia filifera
California Washington palm
California, Mexico
Desert regions
8a - 11
12°F
50'
Moderate
Solitary
Full sun
Moderate
Costa-palmate
Grayish-green
Requires well-drained soil. Larger diameter trunk than W. robusta. Hybridizes with W. robusta.
Washingtonia robusta7
Washington palm
Mexico
Desert regions
9a - 11
22°F
70 - 100'; 25' in northern FL
Fast
Solitary
Full sun
Moderate
Costa-palmate
Bright green
Though from desert regions, fastest growth occurs with regular irrigation. Requires well-drained soil.
3Non-native palms found in Floridas natural areas are indicated, with footnotes stating their status as established by the "IFAS Assessment of the Status of Non-native Plants in Floridas Natural Areas" (Fox et al. 2005). Non-native palms without footnotes have not been reported in Floridas natural areas and/or have not yet been assessed using the IFAS Assessment. 4In north Florida this species is not considered a problem and may be recommended. In central Florida, this species can be used but it should be treated with caution and managed to prevent its escape (counties are listed by zone at: http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/assessment/pdfs/assess_counties.pdf ). Note that other conclusions may apply in south Florida.
5This species is not considered a problem in north and central Florida and may be recommended (counties are listed by zone at: http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/assessment/pdfs/assess_counties.pdf ). Note that other conclusions may apply in south Florida.
6This species is not considered a problem in north and central Florida and may be recommended (counties are listed by zone at: http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/assessment/pdfs/assess_counties.pdf ). Note that other conclusions may apply in south Florida.
7This species is not considered a problem in north and central Florida and may be recommended (counties are listed by zone at: http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/assessment/pdfs/assess_counties.pdf ). Note that other conclusions may apply in south Florida.
Footnotes
1. This document is ENH1094, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date February 2008. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.2. Edwin R. Duke, Associate Professor, Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design and Management, Florida A&M University, College of Engineering Sciences, Technology and Agriculture, 306 Perry-Paige South, Tallahassee, FL 32307; and Gary W. Knox, Extension Specialist and Professor of Environmental Horticulture, University of Florida/IFAS, North Florida Research and Education Center, 155 Research Road, Quincy, FL 32351.
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
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