Palm Tree Types / Palm Tree Species |
There are well over 2000 palm tree types around the world. They can range from small landscape plant to majestic, towering trees reaching 100 feet tall or more. One thing that they all have in common is that they will add depth and atmosphere to your yard. Nothing says tropical like a palm tree. Add a few to your garden or landscapes and have a tropical escape right in your own backyard. |
Palm Tree Types |
There are types of palm trees in Florida, Texas, California and New York, Ohio and Canada. Palm species and varieties now grow up North. And fortunately this includes some of the most majestic looking of the palm tree species. There are so many categories of palms now it can be confusing. In colder northern environments there is still oppurtunies to buy: Dwarf Palms, Winter Palms, Indoor Palms, Fast Growing palms but the primary interest in the United States are the cold hardy palm trees which is similar to most Southern and Northern palms. |
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Their are two major categories that types of palm trees fall under. Each has characteristics that make it clearly different from the others. This is most obvious when you look at different pictures of different types of palms. However, even though palm types look different, most require the same basic care. As varied as palm tree characteristics can be, the species of palms have either fan or feather shaped leaves. They are also called fronds
There are two basic types of palm trees-Northern and Southern types. But apart from this, they can also be divided into two categories, which are classified on the basis of leaf structure. Palmate: The leaf structure of this palm tree has the lobes spreading out from one center point. The pattern can be compared to the palm of our hand. Pinnate: The leaf structure for this species has individual leaflets branching out from one common axis. The pattern strongly resembles a feather. |
Palm Trees Types - Palmate (Fan Palms) or Pinnate (Feather Palms) |
  For identification purposes, palm trees can be divided into two major groups: those that have palmate or fan-shaped leaves; and those that have pinnate, or feather-shaped leaves. The palmate-leaved species are characterized by a leaf structure in which all leaf segments arise from a single point, similar to the structure of a human hand. Pinnate leaves are characterized by leaves along each side of a central axis, similar in design to that of a feather.
Both feather (pinnate) and fan (palmate) palm tree species are very popular and there are cold hardy palm species in both the fan and feather palm tree classes. Both Northern and Southern Palms consist of fan and feather shaped leaves. |
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Palm Trees Types - Northern or Southern Palms |
  One way to classify species of palms is based on their growing locations or environments. Palms Trees Types can be divided into Northern Palms and Southern Palms. Southern Palms grow in warmer and very hot environments like Date Palms in the deserts of the Middle East. Even though Southern Palms are associated with hot environments, there are many popular and majestic looking Southern Palm trees that grown in more Northern Environments. Several Southern Palm Species grow in North America for example and have cold tolerance thresholds in the mid-teens. With proper care and protection during cold spells in winter, these palm species can grow much further North than just Florida, Texas and California. |
Common Northern and Southern Palm Species |
Palm Tree Species - The Northern Palms
- Dwarf palmetto Palms (Sabal minor)
- European Fan (Mediterranean) Palm (Chamaerops humilis)
- Needle Palm Tree (Rhapidophyllum hystrix)
- Pindo Palm Tree (Butia capitata)
- Saw palmetto Palm Trees (Serenoa repens)
- Windmill Palm Trees (Trachycarpus fortunei)
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Palm Tree Species - The Southern Palms
- California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera)
- Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis)
- Date Palm (True) Trees (Phoenix dactylifera)
- Mexican Fan Palms (Washingtonia robusta)
- Queen Palm Trees (Syagrus romanzoffiana)
- Royal Palm Trees (Roystonea spp.)
- Sabal Palm (Cabbage ) Tree (Sabal palmetto)
- Sago Palms (Cycas revoluta)
- Texas Sabal Palms (Sabal texana)
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| Palm Plant Zone |
Palm Tree Species Common Name |
Palm Type Biological Name |
Min Temp |
| Zone 6 |
Needle Palm Tree |
(Rhapidophyllum hystrix) |
3 to 0° F |
| Zone 7 |
Windmill Palms |
(Trachycarpus fortunei) |
8 to 5° F |
| Zone 8 |
Saw Palmetto |
(Serenoa repens) |
12 to 10° F |
| Zone 8 |
Dwarf Palmetto |
(Sabal minor) |
12 to 10° F |
| Zone 8 |
European (Mediterranean) Fan Palm Trees |
(Chamaerops humilis) |
15 t0 10° F |
| Zone 8 |
Pindo Palm Tree |
(Butia capitata) |
14 to 12° F |
| Zone 8 |
California Fan Palm Trees |
(Washingtonia filifera) |
18 to 15° F |
| Zone 8 |
Canary Island Date Palms |
(Phoenix canariensis) |
18 to 15° F |
| Zone 8 |
Date (True) Palm Trees |
(Phoenix dactylifera) |
20 to 18° F |
| Zone 8 |
Mexican Fan Palm Trees |
(Washingtonia robusta) |
20 to 18° F |
| Zone 8 |
Texas Sabal Palms |
(Sabal texana) |
20 to 18° F |
| Zone 8 |
Queen Palm Trees |
(Syagrus romanzoffiana) |
22 to 20° F |
| Zone 8 |
Sabal Palm Tree |
(Sabal palmetto) |
22 to 20° F |
| Zone 8 |
Sago Palm |
(Cycas revoluta) |
22 to 20° F |
| Zone 9 |
Royal Palm Trees |
(Roystonea spp.) |
32 to 29° F |
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 Picture of Date (True) Palm Trees (Phoenix dactylifera) in the Palms native habitat in the desert. The Date Palm trees minimum temperature threshold is between 20 to 18° F. Picture of the Windmill Palm Tree species (Trachycarpus fortunei), in a snowstorm. The "Min Temp" in the above chart represents the minimum temperature that a certain species of palm tree can withstand. But there are many more factors involved that determine whether a particular palm species will survive extreme cold weather. The palm tree's genetic make up, length of the cold spell, the palms microclimate are a few things that factor in to whether a palm trees species will survive the cold winter snaps. Palm trees are grown further North than the recommended palm plant cold hardy zone and for the palm trees to survive winters often they will need cold protection. |
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| Palm Tree Common Name |
Biological Name |
Minimum Temp. Threshold |
USDA Palm Plant Hardiness Zone |
| Needle Palms |
(Rhapidophyllum hystrix) |
3 to 0° F |
Zone 6 |
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The bristle or needle palm has a short stubby trunk with protective bristles all around it. However, these bristles (needles) are brittle and are rarely even noticed due to the plants abundant bouquet of dark green leaves. If the lateral leaves are pruned and much time given, it can grow a predominant trunk and form a small tree up to 10' tall. The primary uses of this elegant palm are as a shrub, bush or hedge. |
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| Windmill Palm Trees |
(Trachycarpus fortunei) |
8 to 5° F |
Zone 7 |
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The Windmill Palm is highly prized and considered the number one palm for growing in a northern climate. The Windmill Palm is also great for the southern landscape as well. It is also found gracing the grounds of most five star resorts, everywhere across Europe and now the U.S... This variety is a tree form palm, growing to 20-30 feet. Like most evergreens it grows in spurts from year to year but one could give it an average of six to twelve inches a year, even in the North. |
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| Saw palmetto |
(Serenoa repens) |
12 to 10° F |
Zone 8 |
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The Saw Palmetto is native to North America and is one of the most cold tolerant palms available to people in northern climates. Saw Palmettos have been found in parts of the southeastern United States and estimated to be 500 to 700 years old. Saw Palmettos typically are thought of as a shrubby dwarf palm, however, occasionally they may reach heights of 15 feet. The Saw Palmetto is cold hardy from 0 to -5 degrees Fahrenheit. They are an important part of the coastal plains eco-system of the southeast, providing shelter and protection for many small animals and reptiles. |
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| Dwarf palmetto |
(Sabal minor) |
10 to 5° F |
Zone 7 |
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The Dwarf Palmetto Palm tree is the dwarf version of the Cabbage (Sabal) palm. It may slowly reach a mature height of 8-12 feet, with an equal spread. The Dwarf Palmetto has a rich green or bluish-green leaf, and grows as a shrub palm for most landscape settings. Being of the most cold tolerant palms, down to zero degrees Fahrenheit, it is adaptable throughout a large part of the United States. Dwarf Palmettos are an excellent choice for mass plantings, hedges, or foundation shrubs. They are grown in a variety of soil types and will do well in sun or shade. The Dwarf Palmetto is also a great potted plant. |
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| European (Mediterranean) Fan Palm |
(Chamaerops humilis) |
15 t0 10° F |
Zone 8 |
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The European Fan Palm is the only palm native to Europe and is very cold tolerant. Considered cold tolerant to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. However, there are specimens hundreds of years old in Europe that must have survived dips well below 10 degrees and survive to this day. The European Fan Palm is slow growing, with light green to silvery colored leaves. This hardy palm grows as a multiple trunked plant. It usually will have a longer center trunk with smaller side trunks. You can, however, trim the side trunks to promote the center trunk to grow faster. This will reveal the beautiful brown and yellow main trunk. |
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| Pindo Palm Tree |
(Butia capitata) |
14 to 12° F |
Zone 8 |
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The Pindo Palm could be considered medium to large in size due to its 2 foot plus trunk base and up to twenty foot wide leaf span. However, the Pindo Palm rarely achieves more than 30 feet in height. Again, the Pindo Palm is a great alternative for those of you living across the middle (Virginia - Southern Kansas) of the U.S. and South. |
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| California Fan Palm Trees |
(Washingtonia filifera) |
18 to 15° F |
Zone 8 |
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There are 2,500 species of palms worldwide, with 11 native to North America. The largest of these, and the only palm tree native to western North America, is the California Fan Palm. It is also known as the Desert Palm and the California Washingtonia.
The Fan Palm has a large, gray unbranched trunk with horizontal lines and vertical fissures. The trunk is 2 to 3 feet in diameter and grows 20 to 60 feet high. The Fan Palm has numerous evergreen leaves, composed of leaf stalks, 3 to 5 feet long, with hooked spines along the edges. |
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| Canary Island Date Palms |
(Phoenix canariensis) |
18 to 15° F |
Zone 8 |
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The Canary Island Date Palm is another member of the Phoenix palm family with many spectacular, but different, characteristics like the Medjool Date Palm. It is also a large tree that reaches 60-70 feet tall and 25 feet wide. The Canary Island Date Palm has a fat trunk with a predominant bulge at the top with a large crown of 8-15 foot long leaves. The leaves are stiff and green. This stately palm is found at many fine resorts and homes, offering a unique display. The Canary Island Date Palm also produces an edible fruit, but it is smaller and less used than the Medjool date. Young Canary Island Date Palms resemble giant pineapples and make an awesome container grown plant. The Trunk is very slow growing on this palm and make a large specimen highly sought after and very expensive. |
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| Date (True) Palm Trees |
(Phoenix dactylifera) |
20 to 18° F |
Zone 8 |
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Although there are many palms that we call "date palms" (i.e. pygmy date palm, Canary Island date palm, etc.) Phoenix dactylifera is the true date palm from which the tasty fruit is obtained. The date palm is a suckering palm that is usually pruned to have only one trunk. Trimmed in this manner the Date Palm will grow to heights of 100 feet. Leaflets near the base are modified into 3-4 inch spines.
Usually the trunk of the date palm is topped by a single crown comprising the fronds, the terminal bud, and the date clusters. All these elements are tightly interlaced at the base of the crown, which is protected by layers of tough, intertwined brown fibers. Cutting off the terminal bud will kill the date palm even if the whole tree is not cut down. |
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| Mexican Fan Palm Trees |
(Washingtonia robusta) |
20 to 18° F |
Zone 8 |
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Washingtonia Fan Palms are large, fast growing palm trees that can grow to a height of 60-100 feet. The leaves of the Mexican Fan Palm have some of the largest palmate leaves of any palm species. The typical spread of the medium green leaves and gold toothed stems extends from 10-15 feet. Mexican Fan Palms are also very drought and salt tolerant. The Washingtonia Fan Palm will certainly add soaring interest and beauty to any southern landscape. They are also easily grown in containers for people in northern climates. |
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| Texas Sabal Palms |
(Sabal texana) |
20 to 18° F |
Zone 8 |
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Texas Sabal Palm Trees can reach heights exceeding 45 feet tall and have a canopy width of up to 25 feet. Sabal Palms are popular as specimen plantings or as part of more formal groupings. Sabal Palm Trees are often described as "stately" due to their upright growth, relatively thick trunk and crowning display of foliage. When planting the Texas Sabal Palm, be sure to consider the mature size of the tree.
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| Queen Palm Trees |
(Syagrus romanzoffiana) |
22 to 20° F |
Zone 8 |
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Queen Palms are rapid growing feather leafed palms native to South America. The Queen Palm can grow up to 50 feet tall in a well drained and sunny location. The lacy feather-like leaf fronds are a dark glossy green color and have a double row of leaflets. The large canopy can span 15-25 feet wide, creating an elegant landscape showpiece. The trunk of the Queen Palm grows straight and turns grey as it ages. The Queen palm is excellent for growing in pots for a tropical look on patios or at restaurants in northern areas. She does produce spectacular flower clusters that make bright orange fruits in the winter. The Queen Palm is definitely worth adding to your palm collection whether grown in pots up north or in the ground down south. |
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| Sabal Palm Tree |
(Sabal palmetto) |
22 to 20° F |
Zone 8 |
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Sabal palms are monocotyledons with single seed leaves. The palmetto tree trunk grows more like grass than a typical tree trunk. Cabbage palms also do not have annual rings but grow segments of leaves at the top each year. The leaves are long with straight lines of parallel veins.
Capable of reaching 90 feet or more in the woods (when shaded or protected by surrounding trees) Sabal palmetto is usually seen at 40 to 50 feet in height. The palm is an amazingly sturdy native tree with a rough, fibrous trunk that is quite variable in shape, from straight and erect, to curved or leaning. |
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| Sago Palm |
(Cycas revoluta) |
22 to 20° F |
Zone 8 |
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The Sago Palm is the most commercially grown palm in the world. It is grown as a decorative plant in containers in homes, hotels, and municipal buildings all over the world. It is also widely grown as an ornamental plant in warmer climate landscapes. The Sago palm is generally used as a low-growing shrubby 3-5 foot palm plant, although it can grow to 15 feet, in 200 years. The trunk is very slow growing, so you may want to install the size you are looking for or it could be a long wait. Sago Palms have dark green 3-4 foot long stiff leaves that grow as a rosette atop its stubby fat brown trunk. Sago palms make great accents to any landscape or patio. They are drought tolerant, as well as sun or shade tolerant, and mix well with other palms to complete a tropical look in your landscape. |
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| Royal Palm Trees |
(Roystonea spp.) |
32 to 29° F |
Zone 9 |
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Royal palm trees are popular in many warm, coastal landscapes, particularly in southern Florida and parts of California. There are ten species of Royal palm, also know as Roystonea, around the world. They can be found in the Caribbean, Central and South American, Florida, Texas and California
Royal palm trees can reach 50 to 100 feet high with a growth rate of around a foot each year. Fragrant, yellow flowers bloom in the summer. Evergreen leaf-blades reaching 18 to 36 inches top a crown shaft that is long and green. Purple to black half-inch fruits are showy but not edible. They thrive in gardening zones 10 and 11 but can handle short periods of cold as low as 28 degrees. |
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A Wide Variety od Palm Species and Types Grow in Northern Environments |
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Palm Tree Types 
