Palm Buying Guide

Keep the following in mind when selecting a palm for your yard:

Climate

Palm trees are found in warm locations, such as tropical and coastal areas. Frost can weaken palms, leaving them more susceptible to disease or insects. When considering a particular species, consult the USDA's Plant Hardiness Zone Map to determine the average minimum temperature in your locale, or ask a Lowe's garden associate for help.

Warm Weather Palms

• Sago Palms
• Canary Island Date Palm
• Florida Royal Palm
• Queen Palm

Cold Weather Palms

• Saw Palmetto
• California Fan Palm
• Cabbage Palm
• Needle Palm

Sunlight

Some palm varieties thrive in heavy shade, while others need full exposure to sunlight to remain healthy. When choosing a palm for your yard, consider where the tree will be planted and how much sunlight it will receive.

Watering

The amount of water necessary for a healthy palm depends on the variety of palm you have planted. If you live in a dry climate, you’ll need to invest in an irrigation system during the months with less rainfall to keep your palm in peak condition. As with any other type of plant, avoid overwatering.

Growth Rate

Some palms can reach a height of 50 feet or more at maturity, while others don’t grow as tall. Think about the size you ultimately need. If you want a palm to shade a sunny window when it reaches maturity, pick a taller species. For framing a patio, a shorter species might be best.

Safety Considerations

Some varieties of palm have sharp thorns or spines that can lead to injury or even infection if handled improperly. Wear gardening gloves when pruning these varieties. Other species, especially Sago palms, are poisonous if ingested by pets. Before introducing any new plants or trees into your home or yard, make sure they're safe for pets, including the seeds, stems, leaves and roots. For a list of other common toxic plants, visit the ASPCA website.

A transplanted palm will require special care, depending on local weather and rainfall, as well as the soil. Always consult packaging details or a Lowe’s garden associate for specifics.

If you like the look of palms but don’t live in a supportive climate, consider a potted indoor palm for your sunroom. Many varieties do well in containers, such as the Pygmy Date palm. Look for a large sized container with adequate holes for drainage and is also heavy enough to support the weight of your tree. Choose indoor palms using most of the same considerations for outdoor palms.

The soil for your potted palm should be moist. The roots need air to grow, and an overly wet soil is detrimental to that growth. Always consult the  packaging details for sunlight, water and fertilizer requirements.

As a whole, palms do well with minimal maintenance. They do require a good supply of magnesium, manganese and iron to prevent leaves from turning yellow or curling up. There are many supplements designed specifically for palm tree care.

Also, don’t trim yellow tips of the fronds. Decaying leaves provide nutrients for new frond growth. Remove and trim away all dry brown leaves.

Palms include an incredible assortment of diverse species. They’ve been part of many ecosystems and involved in various cultures for thousands of years. Here’s some interesting things about palms you may not know:

• Palm trees have a long history. The date palm was used as a food source 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia.
• Palm trees can live long lives. Depending on the species, palm trees can live for more than 100 years. Recent evidence suggests that palms might be the oldest living trees on Earth.
• Palm trees produce a lot of food. If you think palm trees only produce coconuts, think again. Different types of palm trees grow dates, betel nuts and acai fruit. 
• There are more than 2,500 species of palm trees. Palm trees are found in arid climates and tropical rainforests worldwide. 
• The tallest palms can grow to be 197 feet tall. The Quindío wax palm is the tallest species of palm, native to northern Peru and the Andes region of Colombia. It’s the national tree of Colombia and also home to the endangered yellow-eared parrot.
• Not all palms are trees. Some species of palm grow in shrub or woody-vine form.
• You can make wine from palm trees. Palm wine, known by several names, is a common alcoholic beverage in some parts of Asia and Africa. Wine can be made from several species, including coconut palms, date palms and the Chilean wine palm.
• Palms like baths. Spraying a palm tree’s leaves can remove dust, scale, mites and mealybugs. It also creates the humidity that the trees need.
• The rarest palm is the Hyophorbe amaricaulis. There’s only one currently living, which resides at the Botanic Gardens of Curepipe in Mauritius.