Cold Hardy Palm Trees

Although palm trees are often associated with warm tropical regions, there are classes of this plant that can survive colder climates.

If you’ve ever asked yourself the question ‘can palm trees survive in cold weather?’ you came to the right place. The most resilient and appealing palms for cold climates will be presented in this article.

Without further ado, these are the top ten hardy palm trees that will persist through the lowest temperatures.

  1. Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus Fortunei)
  2. Mediterranean Fan Palm (Chamaerops Humilis)
  3. Needle Palm Tree (Rhapidophyllum hystrix)
  4. Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor)
  5. Canary Palm (Phoenix Canariensis)
  6. Chinese Fan Palm Tree (Livistona chinensis)
  7. Mexican Fan Palm Tree (Washingtonia robusta)
  8. Pindo Palm Tree (Butia capitata)
  9. Sago Palm Tree (Cycas revoluta)
  10. Sylvester Date Palm (Phoenix Sylvestris)

10 Best Palms for Cold Climates You Will Love

1. Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus Fortunei)

Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus Fortunei) Palms For Cold Climates

Windmill Palm, also known as Chinese Windmill Palm, or Chusan Palm is one of the most resilient, cold hardy palm trees as it can survive temperatures as low as 0° F to 5° F (-17° C to -15° C).

The tree has a thick short trunk and leaves that are resembling a fan rising at the top. It can grow up to 40 feet (12 meters).

Windmill palm tree can tolerate a lot of wind and partial shade, which means that it needs sun to a moderate level. You have to water it twice a month.

2. Mediterranean Fan Palm (Chamaerops Humilis)

Mediterranean Fan Palm (Chamaerops Humilis)

This palm tree is usually found in Europe and southwestern Africa. It can survive the low temperature of up to 10° F but it does prefer a bit warmer climate.

It looks like a rounded bush due to its shortness and the possibility of having one or more trunks. The leaves resemble a fan and they are dark green or silver-green in color.

It does not require a lot of watering, but it does thrive well in both sun and shade. Strong winds do not pose an issue with this winter palm tree perfect for cold climates.

3. Needle Palm Tree (Rhapidophyllum hystrix)

Needle Palm Tree (Rhapidophyllum hystrix) palms for cold climates

Needle Palm Tree is one of the best palms for cold climates, and it is found exclusively in the US.

It resembles a shrub, being very short with a diameter of up to 3 ft. (90 cm). It has dark green leaves with needles that make it resilient to temperatures that go as low as -10° F (-23.3° C). However, it does need hot summers to grow and be healthy.

Be aware if you live near the sea as it does not like salt spray. But still, it enjoys frequent watering. It handles both sun and shade well.

4. Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor)

Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal Minor)

One more palm that belongs to the group of short, shrub-shaped cold climate palm trees is the Dwarf Palmetto. This is an interesting sort as it may have a short trunk or no trunk at all.

It has long, fan-shaped leaves of green or blue-green color depending on the type. They can grow in height and width up to five feet (1.5 meters).

This palm type is pretty resilient as it can grow in climates with temperatures that go as low as 0° F (-17 ° C). But it does need frequent watering and as much sun as possible.

Dwarf Palmetto grows at moderate speed, unlike Needle Palms, for example, that grow very slowly.

5. Canary Palm (Phoenix Canariensis)

Canary Palm (Phoenix Canariensis) Palms For Cold Climates

Canary Palm is one of the cold weather palms that’s been commonly grown all around the world for approximately two centuries.

It is a glorious outdoor tree with a bulky trunk ornamented with feather-like lively green leaves. Canary palm may be too large for your yard, but remember that it grows slowly.

It can have a pineapple shape after some crafty trimming, which is why it is also called ‘Pineapple Palm’.

You will, however, have to pay attention to the location of this tree as it needs a lot of sunlight and weekly watering. It can grow in climates with temperatures that drop down to 14° F (−10° C).

6. Chinese Fan Palm Tree (Livistona chinensis)

Chinese Fan Palm Tree (Livistona Chinensis)

This palm tree is one of the most beautiful ones, as its leaves create a fountain-like “appearance”.

If you have a place to plant it, it would, undoubtedly, be the best and most beautiful choice.

Its trunk is slender, and in the warmest areas it can grow up to 30 ft. (9 m).

It tolerates dry, windy regions, which means little watering in the regions with temperatures of 10° F – 20° F (-12° C – 7° C).

7. Mexican Fan Palm Tree (Washingtonia robusta)

Mexican Fan Palm Tree (Washingtonia Robusta)

Unlike the previously mentioned palm trees, Mexican Fan Palm Tree is a fast-growing cold climates palm.

It may not be as hardy as all the others, but it recovers rapidly due to fast-growing.

Mexican Fan palm tree has a slim tall trunk with fan-shaped lively green leaves at the top.

It needs a lot of sunlight, which is why watering is not required all that frequently. Actually, this one prefers dryness.

What is specific about this tree is that it has to be trimmed regularly. Otherwise, it will create a ‘hula skirt’ with its leaves around the trunk.

8. Pindo Palm Tree (Butia capitata)

Pindo Palm Tree (Butia capitata) Palms For Cold Climates

Pindo Palm Tree or Jelly Palm is one of the best container plants for cold climates that grows slowly but provides you with a fantastical set of leaves on top of the small stout trunk.

When talking about the maintenance of this palm tree, it is very easy to care for as it tolerates salt, drought, and full sun. What else could you ask for!?

As far as the temperature goes, it is resilient, but can be prone to damages at temperatures below 5° F (-15° C).

9. Sago Palm Tree (Cycas revoluta)

 Sago Palm Tree (Cycas Revoluta)

Interestingly, this tree is not a tree at all, but a plant. However, no one would be capable of noticing this as it resembles a bulky palm tree.

Its leaves are dark green and long, and always pointy and very straight. It requires weekly watering, but don’t expect it to grow fast.

Keep it out of direct sunlight and in a climate with temperatures above 15° F (-9° C).

10. Sylvester Date Palm (Phoenix Sylvestris)

Sylvester Date Palm (Phoenix Sylvestris)

This palm tree has a unique robust trunk with a diamond pattern. The leaves are huge and feathery which makes this sort a very appealing one.

It can handle a lot of sunlight, but it also calls for regular watering.

You will see that the effort will pay off, as it grows really fast if tended to properly. It grows up to 50 ft. (15 m).

Just like Sago Palm Tree, it can show damage below the temperatures of 15° F (-9° C).

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