Image – Wikimedia / iMahesh
Who doesn’t want to have a tall palm tree in their garden in no time? Well, I am not going to deceive you: the truth is that there are many who want precisely that, since one of the beliefs that usually put people back when buying a copy is that the roots can break pipes and floors. But the only thing they are capable of lifting is the dirt, and perhaps the pavement that is not well done.
Now, if you want to acquire one and you are one of those who wonder what are fast growing palm treesthen we are going to tell you their names.
Although I know it is a no-brainer, the species of palm trees that grow fast are not always known, and this is very important when you want to have a garden, or a patio, with plants of a certain size. Many of them when young have a very high ornamental value, but most, if not all, get prettier as the years go by.
So which ones are we interested in? Here is a list:
Archontophoenix maxima
The Archontophoenix maxima the largest of the genus Archontophoenix, since can measure up to 30 meters in height (the others, like the Archontophoenix Alexandrae. or the Archontophoenix cunninghamianathey stay in the 20-25 meters). Despite its height, its trunk always remains slim, with a thickness of just 30 centimeters. The leaves are pinnate, and up to 5 meters long.
From experience, I can say that it is a gem of a plant, with a fast growth (about 40 centimeters / year)and that also does not cost much to adapt to the sun if you get used to it little by little. Of course, it needs frequent watering. It supports up to -2ºC, maybe -3ºC if it is protected.
Cocoa nuts
El coconut tree it is the tropical palm tree par excellence. It is one of the few that can live on the beaches without suffering any damage. Reaches a height of 10 to 20 metersand its trunk does not thicken more than about 30-40 centimeters. The leaves are pinnate and very long, reaching up to 5 meters.
In temperate regions it is usually grown a lot as an indoor plant, but it is difficult to make it survive because it needs high humidity, temperatures above 18ºC, and abundant light. When the weather is good and you have it on the ground, grows at a rate of about 40-60 centimeters per year.
Deeply shining
The Deeply shiningknown as the yellow palm or areca (be careful: not to be confused with the palms of the genus Areca), is a tropical plant with several trunks that reach a height of 6 to 12 meterswith a thickness of at most 20 centimeters each. Its leaves are pinnate, about 2-3 meters long, so it takes up less space than other species. Regarding the growth rate, if the conditions are favorable, grows about 30-40 centimeters per year.
You need a place where you can find shade when you are young, although you can get used to the sun as you gain height as long as the humidity is high. The climate must be mild, without frosts or very, very weak. For example, I have two in the garden, in an area where they are very protected by walls and other plants, and they support up to -1,5ºC. If your climate is colder, it is better to have them potted indoors or in a greenhouse.
Phoenix dactylifera
Image – Flickr / Pablo Sanchez Martin
La date It is a palm tree with one or several trunks of about 30-50 centimeters in diameter that reaches a height of 25 to 30 meters. The leaves are pinnate and spiny, glaucous in color and 5 meters long. As a curiosity, you should know that it is the one that produces the dates with the best flavor.
It resists drought very well, as well as hot and temperate climates. Withstands frosts down to -4ºC without being damaged, and grows about 30-40 centimeters per year.
Roystonea regia
Image – Wikimedia Commons / Forest & Kim Starr
La royal cuban palm tree It is a wonderful tropical plant with pinnate leaves that reaches a height of 25 meters, but can reach 40 meters. Its trunk has a diameter of up to 60 centimeters, and its leaves are up to 6 meters long. When the weather is warm grows at about 40 centimeters / year.
The drawback is that it does not withstand frost, perhaps down to -1 or -2ºC once it reaches a size (3 meters or that) and is in an area protected from the wind.
Syagrus romanzoffiana
Image – Wikimedia Commons / Andrew Gonzalez
La pindó palm tree or feathery coconut is a very elegant plant that reaches a height of 25 meterswith a trunk of up to 60 centimeters at its base. Its feathery appearance and ease of cultivation have made it one of the most interesting. What’s more, can grow about 40-50 centimeters per year.
And do you know what it needs? Nothing but fertile land, that has good drainage, from time to time watering, and sun. It resists frosts down to -8ºC.
Robust Washingtonia
Image – Wikimedia / Spikebrennan
It is the most common. It is known by the name of mexican fan palm, and as its name suggests it has fan-shaped leaves. Its trunk reaches up to 35 meters in height for about 35-40 centimeters thick at its base.
It can grow at a rate of 1 meter per year if the conditions are right; although the most frequent is that it does it at a rate of 50-60 centimeters / year. Resists up to -4ºC.
Which of these fast-growing palm trees did you like the most?
