25 Beautiful Types of Palm Trees to Grow

You don't have to live in a warm, southern climate to grow a palm tree. Some types of palm trees are cold-hardy and, once they're established, can survive temperatures below freezing. The Sabal or cabbage palmetto, for example, is a native Florida palm tree that tolerates cold.

If you have full sun and dry heat, consider a date palm tree. A coconut palm (Cocus nucifera) like the one shown here, thrives in high temperatures but needs water. Check out these palm tree pictures for more choices.

Earning its name from a spindle shaped trunk (narrow at both ends and fat in the middle), this tropical palm works well as a specimen or accent tree. The long fronds measure up to 10 feet and arch gracefully. Trees grow to 20 feet tall and benefit from supplemental irrigation. Spindle palm is in danger of extinction in its native habitat of the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean. Hardy in Zones 10a-11.

Also known as king sago, this tropical beauty is a living fossil, existing since the days of dinosaurs. While not a true palm, this Japanese native brings classic palm vibes to any setting. Sharp drainage is the key to success, which is why sago palm is often found in rock gardens. Leaves are leathery, hinting at the plant’s drought tolerance. Sago palm is also a houseplant favorite, with gardeners typically shifting plants outdoors for summer. All parts of sago palm are poisonous. Hardy in Zones 7b-11.

This Florida native soars to 80 feet, making it an ideal choice for landscaping larger homes. A bright green crown shaft tops the gray trunk, creating an eye-catching contrast. Fronds unfurl to an average length of 10 to 13 feet and weigh up to 50 pounds. The tree is self-cleaning, which means dead fronds fall off on their own. Take care to place trees where falling fronds won’t hit people, cars or anything they might damage. When planting a royal palm, space it at least 8 feet from house walls or another royal palm. Hardy in Zones 10-11.

For landscape drama, consider bismarck palm, with its stunning silver leaves. Plants grow 50 to 60 feet tall and up to 20 feet wide, so it’s not a good choice for small yards. Young bismarck palms develop to the full mature width of 20 feet while the trunk is still short, giving the plant more of an oversize shrub look. Once the width and trunk are established, the growth rate picks up. Native to Madagascar, this beauty survives to 15° F, which means it can grace yards from Nevada, to Alabama, to Arkansas. Hardy in Zones 8b-11.

Majesty palm is probably most often sold as a houseplant and grown near a sunny window to add a touch of the tropics to indoor settings. But this Madagascar native is equally at home outdoors in warmer zones, where it thrives—provided it gets plenty of water and nutrients. The botanical name “rivularis” (think river) hints at its appetite for water. In its native environs, this palm is typically found along riverbanks. Some gardeners plant it in part shade, while others use it in a full sun setting. Young plants work well in container gardens. Majesty palm can soar to 80 feet, and Floridians report it as withstanding hurricane winds well. It survives to temperatures of 26° F. Hardy in Zones 9-11.

Full sun with afternoon shade brings out the best growth for Canary Island date palm. This tropical tree offers an eye-catching trunk with diamond-shaped leaf stem scars. Fronds grow up to 15 feet long, with 2- to 8-inch-long spines along the stem base. Wear gloves and eye protection when pruning or handling fronds. Trees grow 40 to 60 feet tall, but due to a slow growth rate are typically found in the 40-foot range. Feed plants with a palm fertilizer containing micronutrients in spring, summer and fall. Hardy in Zones 9-11.

If you’re looking for a palm that can grow as far north as New Jersey or British Columbia, pindo palm is for you. It’s a type of feather palm, which means it unfurls the quintessential long palm fronds. In South Florida, cooks harvest the fruits to make jelly, which is why this tree is also called “jelly palm.” Pindo palm is native to South America, where it grows to 20 feet. In home landscapes, it usually reaches 12 to 15 feet. Hardy in Zones 7b-11.

For landscape drama, consider bismarck palm, with its stunning silver leaves. Plants grow 50 to 60 feet tall and up to 20 feet wide, so it’s not a good choice for small yards. Young bismarck palms develop to the full mature width of 20 feet while the trunk is still short, giving the plant more of an oversize shrub look. Once the width and trunk are established, the growth rate picks up. Native to Madagascar, this beauty survives to 15° F, which means it can grace yards from Nevada, to Alabama, to Arkansas. Hardy in Zones 8b-11.

Common names often give clues about a plant’s growth, and Chinese fan palm is no exception. One of its common names is fountain palm, which refers to the way that leaf tips dangle on mature plants, which typically grow 30 feet tall. In the landscape, Chinese fan palm can hold its own as a focal point, or place it in a lightly shaded spot, such as beneath a spreading live oak. This graceful palm is native to Japan, China and Taiwan, where it usually grows along subtropical islands and coastlines. Plants boast cold hardiness to 10° F. Hardy in Zones 8b-11.

A cabbage palm is a large, slow growing fan palm that produces a trunk only after 10 years. It’s the state tree of South Carolina and Florida, where it’s commonly known as “sabal palm.” Dead leaf bases often cling to the trunk. Remove them to help eliminate hiding places for critters. Cabbage palm looks great as a focal plant in a lawn, or arrange several together to create a natural-looking grove of trees. This palm survives winters as cold as 10° to 15° F. Hardy in Zones 8a-11, although some gardeners in Zone 7b report growing it successfully.

For outstanding winter hardiness, look to Mazari palm, which hails from the high altitude deserts of Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan. Consider that native environment of heat, drought and sun when planting Mazari palm. If you can offer those conditions, your plant will thrive. This is a clumping type of palm, which means it produces several short trunks that together create a shrub-like cluster in the landscape. The blue-tone leaves have a leathery texture, a clue to the plant’s drought tolerance. In well-drained soil, expect Mazari palm to survive winters as cold as -4° F. Hardy in Zones 6b-11.

Native to Northern Mexico and Baja California, this fast-growing tree is probably one of the most commonly planted palm trees. On mature trees, spent fronds cling to trunks forming a dusky brown skirt. These dead fronds create a fire hazard and also offer shelter to rats. Many municipalities require homeowners to keep dead leaves removed. On trees with large skirts, hire a reputable tree company that prunes from the top down, using a lift. Climbing the tree and removing the dead lower leaf fronds first actually causes a few deaths each year. Trees survive temps as low as 15 °F and grow to 100 feet, although in colder areas they stay smaller. Hardy in Zones 8b-11.