Image – Wikimedia Commons / David J. Stang
Do small palm trees exist? When we think of one, a plant with a very tall stem, several meters high, and with long and/or wide green leaves that crown it, usually comes to mind. Luckily, there are many species that, although they can grow larger than a human being, do not reach the impressive heights of those that embellish our streets.
And not only that: but also, some have a slow growth, which added to their small size, make them plants that can be kept in a pot for a long time. Next we will tell you what they are.
Areca (Deeply shining)
La areca It is a multi-stemmed palm (that is, it develops several stems) that grows to a maximum height of 3 meters. These stems are thin, reaching about 15 centimeters thick in adulthood, and are crowned by pinnate leaves up to 2 meters long. It is one of the species that is most kept indoors, where it can live very well if it is placed in a room where there is a lot of light, and where the environmental humidity is high; however, it also makes a fantastic garden plant if the climate is tropical or subtropical. Does not tolerate frost.
Caranday (Trithrinax campestris)
Image – Wikimedia Commons/Abestrobi
The caranday is a palm tree that grows up to 6 meters high. It develops a stem about 25 centimeters thick, covered by the remains of dry and prickly leaves. These leaves are fan-shaped, and are light green on the upper side and silvery on the underside. In addition, they are very hard, a characteristic that helps them to withstand both direct sun and frost without problems. In fact, it is a rustic species, capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 10 degrees below zero minimum and up to 40ºC maximum, and drought.
beach coconut (Allagoptera arenaria)
The palm tree known as the beach coconut (although it has nothing to do with the coconut tree), is a plant that reaches 2-2,5 meters in height. It has pinnate, feathery, green leaves. It usually forms dense groups, which is why we recommend planting it, for example, on the side of the road. But it is important that you know that it needs a very light and well-drained soil, otherwise it will not survive. It resists frost down to -4ºC.
Copernicia hospital
Image – Flickr / Tony Rodd
The Copernicia hospital is a plant that grows between 5 and 7 meters in heightand develops a stem 30 centimeters thick. Its leaves are palmate, and measure about 2 meters wide. They are grayish-green or bluish-green in color and are covered with wax on both sides. Despite what it may seem, its cultivation in small gardens is very interesting since, like all palm trees, it does not have invasive roots. Of course, it does not like the cold very much: it only resists down to -2ºC.
bamboo palm (high vines)
Image – Wikimedia Commons / David J. Stang
La bamboo palm tree It is a multi-stemmed plant that usually forms large groups in its natural habitat. Reaches 3 meters in heightand its stems are only about 2 centimeters thick. The leaves are green, palmate, and quite hard to the touch. It is an ideal plant to grow indoors, especially in temperate regions, as it does not resist strong frosts. In fact, if the temperature drops below 3 degrees below zero, you will need protection.
Lounge palm tree (Chamaedorea elegans)
Image – Wikimedia / Pluume321
the camadorea or living room palm tree is a plant that reaches a height of 2 meters. Its leaves are pinnate and green, and they crown a thin stem that only thickens about 5 centimeters. It is usually sold in pots with many other seedlings, but for everyone to thrive it is important that they are planted in a larger pot every 2 or 3 years. In this way, you will always be able to enjoy your palm tree. Also, if there are no frosts in your area, you can have it in the garden, in the shade.
Dwarf palm (phoenix roebelinii)
Image – Wikimedia Commons / David J. Stang
La dwarf palm, which also receives the names of robelina palm and pygmy palm, is a species that reaches 5 meters in heightand whose stem thickens no more than 20 centimeters. The leaves are pinnate, green on both sides, and measure approximately 1 meter in length. Her growth rate is very slow, so much so that she may need ten years to grow just one meter, but the good thing about her is that she looks pretty from a young age. It resists soft frosts of up to -2ºC if they are of short duration and punctual.
Palmetto (Chamaerops humilis)
Image – Wikimedia Commons / grass tattoo
El palmetto can boast of being the only native palm species of the Spanish Mediterranean. Reaches a height of 2-3 metersand develops several stems about 20 centimeters thick, crowned by green or bluish-green palmate leaves, depending on the variety. It is a magnificent plant for a garden, as it resists drought, temperatures between 40 and -7ºC, and grows well in poor soils.
wild palm (Serenoa repens)
Image – Flickr / Scott Zona
El wild palm It is a multicaule palm that reaches 3 meters in heightand which has palmate green leaves. Like the heart of palm, it is a plant that resists drought, heat waves, and even frosts of up to -7ºC. It can be grown in a pot for a few years, but it is preferable to have it in the garden when it is young.
Thrinax parviflora
Image – Wikimedia / Kyle Wicomb
The Thrinax parviflora it is a palm tree that grows to 6 meters in height. Its stem is thin, since it measures only 15 centimeters thick. The leaves are palmate, of a beautiful green color, the segments of which tend to “hang down”. Its cultivation is especially interesting in tropical and subtropical climates, where it can be planted even near the coast; but it will also look beautiful indoors, where it should be placed in a room with plenty of light. It resists light frosts down to -2ºC as long as it is sheltered.
Which of these small palm trees did you like the most?
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