Palm trees are those plants that beautify a garden like no other. Its trunks, usually stylized, and its characteristic crown of pinnate or fan-shaped leaves, more or less arched, give the place an exoticism that is simply magnificent and we could even say addictive.
Therefore, it is interesting to know which are the best outdoor palm trees; that is, which are those that can be outdoors throughout the year without protection.
Before that, let me say something that is important: indoor and outdoor palm trees do not exist, because there are no indoor plants. What happens is that there are many types of palm trees that in a temperate climate cannot be in a garden without protection during the winter, since the low temperatures would cause serious damage and may even end their life.
For this also, in this article we are going to recommend a series of palm trees that can live in different regions, and we will mention what is the lowest temperature they support so that you know well which one to choose.
Comrade (Chamaedoa Radicalis.)
There are many types of Chamaedorea, but one of those that live better all year round abroad is Chamaedoa Radicalis.. Develops a solitary trunk about 4 meters high for just about 3 centimeters thick, and has pinnate green leaves. It can (and should) be in shady or partially shady areas, and it has to be watered from time to time since it does not resist drought. It supports mild frosts of up to -4ºC, although it is advisable to protect with something (wall, other large plants, etc.) so that it is not so exposed to the wind.
Feathery coconut (Syagrus romanzoffiana)
El feathery coconut or pineapple it is a palm tree that grows up to 25 meters highwith pinnate leaves 2-3 meters long, somewhat arched. Its trunk is rather thin, since it does not measure more than about 40 centimeters thick. It is a palm tree to be put in a sunny place, and in a rich soil. In alkaline soils it usually has yellowish leaves as a result of a lack of iron, and / or especially manganese, which is solved by watering it from time to time with a biostimulant. But otherwise, it supports up to -4ºC.
Date (Phoenix dactylifera)
La date It is a very common thorny palm in gardens. The normal thing is that it grows forming groups formed by numerous suckers, but it can also grow as a solitary specimen. Reaches 30 meters in heightand their trunks no more than 50 centimeters in diameter. The leaves are pinnate and long, up to 5 meters, bluish-green in color. It produces edible dates, and also withstands high temperatures (40ºC, maybe a little more), drought and cold down to -4ºC without being damaged.
Kentia (Howea forsteriana)
The Howea forsteriana It is a palm tree widely grown indoors, but it really is a plant that can be outside. It has a slow growth, although over time it reaches between 10 and 15 meters in height. Its trunk is very thin, 13 centimeters in diameter, and has dark green, pinnate, ascending leaves. It has to be grown in shade or semi-shade, although as it grows it can get used to being more in the sun. It resists occasional frosts down to -5ºC.
Blue palm tree (armed arm)
The armed arm It is a lonely palm tree that reaches 15 meters in height. It has fan-shaped bluish leaves (hence the common name) that are approximately 1-2 meters wide. It resists very well drought, direct sun and frosts down to -10ºC.
Cretan Date Palm (phoenix theoprasti)
The phoenix theoprasti it’s a very, very similar date palm tree, but apart from being shorter (about 15 meters), and greener and shorter leaves of up to 3 meters, its dates are generally not edible. But the differences end here: this species is also ideal for hot and dry climates. Resists up to -7ºC.
Senegal Palm (Phoenix reclines)
La Senegal palm It is another palm tree similar to the date palm, but it is easily distinguished by the color of its leaves: this is green, and not bluish or bluish-green. It grows between 7 and 15 meters in heightdeveloping numerous suckers whose trunks are about 30 centimeters thick. Its dates can be consumed, but it is said that they are not as good as those of the P. dactylifera. You have to put it in the sun, and water it little since it supports drought very well. Supports up to -4ºC.
Palm tree excelsa (Trachycarpus fortunei)
The Trachycarpus fortuneialso known as palmera excelsa or raised palmetto, It is a plant with a solitary trunk barely 30 centimeters thick that reaches 12 meters in height.. Its leaves are fan-shaped and green, with a size of about 50 x 70 centimeters. It is one of those that best resists cold: up to -15ºC. It grows in full sun and does not need a lot of water.
Palmetto (Chamaerops humilis)
El palmetto or dwarf palm It is a thorny plant with several trunks that reaches a height of 4 meters and a thickness of about 30-35 centimeters. They are crowned by webbed leaves, which can be green or bluish depending on the variety. In cultivation it is a very interesting species for a temperate or hot and dry garden. He likes direct sun and frosts do not harm him as long as they are only down to -7ºC.
Washingtonian (Robust Washingtonia)
La washingtonia, or fan palm, is a fast-growing plant that develops a solitary trunk up to 35 meters high for about 40 centimeters thick at its base. It is crowned by green fan-shaped leaves. Tends to hybridize easily with Washingtonia will spinresulting in plants generally with leaves with ‘threads’ (typical of the W. filifer) but with a rather thin trunk. In any case, these palms only need sun and sporadic watering. They resist up to -5ºC.
Which of these outdoor palm trees did you like the most? And what less?
