Types of Palm Trees in Florida

As a landscape designer or architect, you might be wondering about the types of palm trees that thrive in Florida. Palmco is proud to draw on the experience of four generations of Florida growers to bring our customers the best palms money can buy. And, we will gladly help you determine which palms are best for your current design objectives.

Palmco, a family owned business, is Florida’s premier grower of top-quality palms. We are devoted to ensuring that the highest standards of production quality are incorporated into every step of the process. Our quality palms certainly draw attention, but it is our dedication to exceptional customer service that maintains our clients.

Florida’s Best Palm Choices

When it comes to choosing the best palms for Florida’s climate, it is important to note that Florida is located in USDA zones 8-10. However, if the Keys are your target, you will also need to include USDA zone 11 in your search. Here are some of Florida’s best palm choices for these zones:

Zone 8

European Fan palms hail from the Mediterranean and only achieve heights of 10 feet. They are incredibly adaptable palms and can suit a range of environmental conditions. The multi-stems of this palm give it a distinct appearance and you will not find two exactly alike. This is the only palm native to Europe.

Mule palms are perfect for clients who want a palm no one else has. These are hybrids of the Pindo and Queen palms which means that propagation requires human intervention. Though these are high-end palms, they are worth every penny because they are truly grand specimens that can reach 20 feet in height.

Zone 9

Canary palms, or Canary Island Date Palms, get their name from their place of origin, the Canary Islands. These are one of the most widely used landscape specimen palms in the southeast. They are slow growing but have an incredibly bold appearance. The crown shaft resembles a pineapple, but they must be consistently manicured to retain visibility.

Washintonia palms, or Mexican Fan Palms, ares fast-growing beauties that can reach heights of 70 to 100 feet. They are very cold-hardy and can handle temperatures down to 5°F for limited time periods. Washingtonia is easy to transplant and can provide big tropical appeal in your landscape design. They are particularly impressive when planted in rows along roadways or property lines.

Zone 10

Alexander, or Solitaire Palms, are native to Australia and reach a max height of 20 feet. This palm has a slender trunk and a relatively small canopy which makes it an excellent choice for narrow spaces.

Chinese Fan palms are incredibly cold hardy and highly drought tolerant. While their name suggests they are from China, they are also native to Southern Japan. Super hydration is necessary for these palms to be planted successfully, but once established they are a great all-around specimen.

Zone 11

Adonidia, or the Christmas Palm, originates in the Philippines. We grow them as single, double, or triple formations. These are classic palms that can be utilized in outdoor and well-lit indoor landscape designs. The max height for this palm is 25 feet.

Bottle palms are originally from the Mascarenes, an area of islands off the coast of Madagascar. These make superb accent palms due to their small size, only reaching 12 feet tall. And, their bizarrely swollen trunks give them a unique appearance that is sure to catch the eye.

Understanding the types of palm trees available in Florida will help you meet all your client needs. And, purchasing your palms from Palmco will ensure that your clients’ expectations are exceeded. Give our experts a call at (239) 283-1329 for more information or to place an order.