Are Palm Trees Drought Tolerant?

Are Palm Trees Drought Tolerant?

Ever wondered, “Are palm trees drought tolerant?” The experts at Palmco have the answer for you. The simple answer is, “yes, some are.” But it’s important to know which palm trees are the most drought-tolerant if you are working for a client in a drought-prone area.

Palmco has been in the palm tree and bamboo industry for more than 30 years. We pride ourselves on our expertise and exceptional customer service. In fact, our family-owned business is home to a 600+ acre palm and bamboo plantation that is one of the largest in the country.

Located on beautiful Pine Island in sunny Florida, we are the perfect location for growing rare and common palms and clumping bamboo. We utilize state-of-the-art automated irrigation systems and extensive nutritional programs to ensure we do everything we can to protect the environment for future generations.

Drought Tolerant Palms

When researching which palms will work best in your landscape installations, whether you are an architect, landscaper, or landscape designer, the experts at Palmco are your best resource. We can help you learn about the following drought tolerant palms:

Areca(Dypsis lutescens)
We have a large inventory of Arecas on location. These palms are seen everywhere in South Florida. They do best in USDA zones 10 and up. They bear edible fruit and are highly drought tolerant. Many people employ them as hedges and screens because they are full and bushy with feathery, arched fronds.

Chinese Fan (Livistona chinensis)
These are very drought tolerant but also impressively cold hardy, able to withstand temperatures as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit for limited time periods. They have a wide-spread canopy, and their long leaf segments hang gracefully, creating a weeping appearance. We can add diamond cuts to their trunks if you are interested in that unique appearance.

Coconut-Green Malayan (Cocos nucifera)
Originating in Jamaica, these highly drought- and salt-tolerant palms can reach heights of 50-80 feet. They are certified coconut palms, and, thankfully, coconut palms are self-pruning. Dead fronds will fall off on their own. Be advised that if these trees are regularly exposed to salty conditions, such as sea spray, you will need to rinse down the foliage regularly.

European Fan (Chamaerops humilis)
These highly adaptable palms grow best in USDA zones 8A-11 and will reach 10 feet in height. They hail from the Mediterranean, and their multi-stemmed fronds are one of their identifying traits. This is the only palm native to Europe and is ideal for exotic focal point plantings. You can grow them in clusters or train them to be solitary by pruning the pups.

Reclinata (Phoenix Reclinata)
Commonly known as the Senegal Date Palm, the Reclinata is highly drought tolerant and originally from Africa. It grows in huge clumps and makes an incredibly dramatic specimen plant that is perfect for campuses, parks, and residential yards. Its gracefully curving stems make a powerful statement, and it can even thrive in containers and other confined urban areas.

Sabal (Sabal Palmetto)
You might know this one better as the Cabbage Palm, as it is Florida’s state tree. It is a slow-growing palm but is widely used due to its extreme hardiness because it is both highly salt- and drought-tolerant. However, these palms grow far too slowly for commercial production, so they are typically harvested from the wild. When used in the proper installations, they are quite capable of bringing out the true charm of the South.

No more wondering, “Are palm trees drought tolerant?” You now have your much-needed answers as well as suggestions for the right palms for your drought-prone installations. You can get more information about ordering these palms and how to best plant and care for them from the experts at Palmco. Give us a call at (239) 283 1329.