Types of palm trees: indoor and outdoor

Palm trees are an exceptional and very beautiful type of plant. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they can provide a bit of shade during those days when high temperatures hit the city.

There are many types of palm trees that can beautify our garden a lot, and there are even some that are perfect to have in pots. So, Why not know them?

Types of palm trees

In the natural state, palms are generally found in tropical and subtropical climates and there are approximately 3000 different species around the world distributed as follows: in Europe, for example, there are 3 native species, the palm heart, the Canary palm tree, and a palm tree called theophrastus phoenixdiscovered on the island of Crete and some areas of Turkey. In Africa, on the other hand, there are about 120 species, while in Asia about 1400, in America about 800 and in Australia and the islands around it about 400.

These are the most popular:

Types of indoor palm trees and their names

When we talk about indoor palm trees we refer to a series of palm plants that, either due to their characteristics and / or because of their sensitivity to cold, can be grown indoors. As there are many types of climates and many species, indoor palms are not the same in every country in the world. For this reason, we have made a selection of those found in temperate regions:

Areca (Deeply shining)

The Deeply shining It is a species known as bamboo palm, golden fruit palm or areca, although this last name can lead us to confusion, since there is a whole genus of palm trees that is called that. It is a plant native to Madagascar that has many trunks, that is, it is multicaule, which is also sold in pots with many individual seedlings that have grown together, so it should not be surprising that with the passage of time some of them dry out due to high competition that is created between them.

Reaches a height of 5-7 metersand their trunks thicken about five centimeters at most; indoors and in a pot it is difficult for it to measure more than 2 meters. Its leaves are pinnate, about 2 meters long. It needs a lot of light, but not direct light, as well as high humidity. It supports the cold, and weak frosts of up to -2ºC.

Comrade (Chamaedorea elegans)

The Chamaedorea elegansknown as the hall palm, camaedorea or pacaya, is a palm native to Mexico. Develops a single cane-like trunk that reaches 2 meters in height for about 2-3 centimeters thick, although it is sold in pots with multiple seedlings. The leaves are pinnate, and measure a maximum of 1 meter in length.

It must be kept in a room with light, and away from drafts. Give it about two irrigations a week and spray it with water daily in summer if the humidity of the environment is low. Supports up to -2ºC.

Coconut tree (Cocoa nuts)

The Cocoa nuts or coconut tree is a palm native to the tropical beaches of Asia and America. It grows up to 30 meters in heightand develops a trunk of up to 40 centimeters at its base. Its leaves are pinnate, 5 meters long, and of a beautiful greenish color. The fruit is the coconut, whose pulp is edible.

It is a very delicate palm that needs a lot of light, a lot of humidity and also high temperatures (above 15ºC) all year round. Indoors it is used more as a seasonal plant, which is a shame because it can live for 80 years or more.

Kentia (Howea forsteriana)

The Howea forsteriana or Kentia is a palm endemic to Lord Howe Island (Western Australia). It has a slow growth, and reaches a height of 10 to 15 meters with a trunk up to 15 centimeters in diameter. Its leaves are pinnate, dark green, and about 3 meters long.

Indoors it must be kept in areas where there is a lot of light, but keeping it protected from direct light. Likewise, the humidity must be high, so if the environment is very dry it is advisable to spray its leaves with distilled water, or in its absence soft. Resists up to -4ºC.

Robelina palm (Phoenix roubleni)

The Phoenix roubleniknown as the robelina palm or dwarf palm, is an endemic plant of Southeast Asia that reaches a height of up to 5 meters. It has pinnate leaves up to 140 centimeters long, with very flexible green pinnae or leaflets.

It is a beautiful plant, ideal for interior patios with a lot of light, or for rooms where there is light. It has to be watered about 2 times a week, and it is also advisable to fertilize in spring-summer with fertilizers for palm trees. Supports up to -2ºC.

Rape (tall rapis)

The high vinesknown as rapis, is a multicaule palm native to Asia. It grows up to 3 meters in heightwith stems of only 2 centimeters in diameter. Its leaves are fibrous, dark green, and fan-shaped.

It is not a demanding palm tree, so it will grow well indoors as it does not require as much light as other species. Give it a moderate watering and fertilize it from time to time following the instructions on the container. Resists up to -2ºC.

Types of palm trees in Spain

In Spain we have very few species of palm trees that are indigenous, but they are no less beautiful for that. In fact, they are cultivated a lot, not only in the country but also abroad. They are as follows:

Canary Island Palm (phoenix canariensis)

The phoenix canariensisknown as the phoenix or Canarian palm tree, is an endemic species of the Canary Islands. It develops a thick trunk up to 70 centimeters in diameter, and up to 13 meters tall. The leaves are pinnate, green on both sides, and about 2 meters long. In spring it flowers, and shortly after the fruits that are edible dates ripen, although they do not have as good a flavor as those of the Phoenix dactylifera.

It must be kept outside, in a sunny place from a young age. It can withstand some drought when it has been in the ground for more than a year and is acclimatized, but it is advisable never to suspend watering completely to ensure that it remains with as many green leaves as possible. Resists up to -4ºC.

Palmetto (Chamaerops humilis)

The Chamaerops humilis or palm heart is a multicaule palm endemic to the Mediterranean region. In Spain we will find it in the Iberian Peninsula and in the Balearic Islands (in Mallorca it grows in the Sierra de Tramuntana for example). Reaches a height of 4 metersand their trunks are about 20 centimeters thick at most. The leaves are palmate and usually green in color, but may be bluish (Chamaerops humilis var cerasifera).

It resists drought very well once it has acclimatized, and must be grown in areas exposed to direct sunlight. Resists up to -7ºC.

Types of small palm trees

Although most palm trees reach heights of 10 meters or more, there are others that stay smaller. Some we have already named, such as Chamaedorea elegans, Chamaerops humilis, roebellini phoenix or the high vinesbut there are others that could also be grown in pots and / or small gardens:

Chamaedorea metallica

The Chamaedorea metallica It is a palm native to Mexico that reaches a height of 3 meters. Its trunk is very thin, barely 2 centimeters thick, and it has beautiful bifid leaves (with two leaflets), broad and bluish in color.

It grows very well in pots, since its growth rate is also slow. It needs light but not direct, and about two or three waterings a week in summer, less in winter. Supports up to -2ºC.

Coquitos from Brazil (syagrus schizophylla)

The syagrus schizophyllaknown as Brazilian coquitos or queen’s palm, is a species native to Brazil. Reaches a height of 2 to 4 metersand develops a trunk about 25 centimeters thick. Its leaves are pinnate up to 2 meters long, and it produces ellipsoid fruits 3 centimeters long and orange in color.

Its cultivation is recommended indoors if the climate is temperate, since it does not resist frost (only up to -1ºC). Place it in a place where it receives a lot of light, and water it from time to time.

Jelly Palm (butia capitata)

The butia capitata Known as the jelly palm, it is an endemic species to Brazil. It has a solitary trunk up to 5 meters high by about 30 centimeters in diameterand pinnate leaves of glaucous color very arched. It produces oblong, yellowish fruits that are edible.

It is highly recommended for gardens with little space, in sunny places and with well-drained soil. Resists up to -5ºC.

Serena (Serenoa repens)

The Serenoa repens is a multi-trunked palm native to the United States and Mexico that reaches 4 meters in height. It has palmate leaves, green in color, and produces edible fruits that are black or reddish-brown ovoid drupes.

It is a drought resistant species, which has to be cultivated in sunny places so that it can grow well. Resists up to -4ºC.

Uses of palm trees

Unlike what many people believe, palm trees have a maximum usefulness for human beings, especially for those inhabitants of tropical areas, they can even become an essential plant for their survival. First of all, because serve as food (coconuts and edible buds are extracted from many palm trees), also to make houses, boats, roofs, paper, wax, etc.. Many of them are used their fibers and their wood to make baskets, hats, among others, so they not only have the advantage of providing shade but a number of basic utilities for our survival.

If you are thinking of having a palm tree at home, whether in a garden or inside a house, you will enjoy not only a beautiful plant but also a very elegant living being, which can be kept indoors, outdoors, in the sun or in the shade.