Palm Tree Species – A Variety of Shapes and Sizes

Palm tree species are available in a large assortment of colors, shapes, and sizes.

They are the perfect choice for adding tropical color, texture, and style to your interior décor, as well as your outdoor landscape design.

Some palm tree species will be better suited than others, depending on your climate and design requirements. Making the right choice will ensure your palms thrive and prosper.

Tips for Selecting the Best Palm Tree Species

The palm trees you choose will depend on the climate of you home, office, or landscape, as well as your design style and requirements. Follow these tips for making the best choice for you needs:

• Plant requirements should match the conditions in your home or landscape. The most important requirement for palm trees planted in the landscape is climate. Be sure the palm is suited to the climate of the hardiness zone you live in. For indoor palms, it is important to accommodate lighting, temperature, and humidity requirements.
  

• Your lifestyle should allow for proper palm tree care. If your palm requires a lot of watering, you, or someone trustworthy will need to check the soil often.
  

• Palm tree species come in a variety of sizes and styles – from small and elegant to big and bold. Be sure to choose a size and style that complements your interior décor or landscape design.
  

• Palms should look sturdy, clean, and healthy. If you are buying a palm tree from a nursery or garden center, check the tree for unhealthy signs including yellow leaves, wilted foliage, and spindly growth. Thoroughly check plants for signs of insects and disease.
  

• Consider buying palm trees online.  You have access to multiple suppliers that offer a large selection of palms. Local nurseries and garden centers can only afford to stock a limited amount of choices during specific times of the year (usually spring and summer).

Palm Tree Species – What are Your Options?

There are a variety of palms available that are suitable for your home, office, or landscape. Review the list of palm trees below for options to consider.

Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) – Indoor height reaches 6 to 7 feet tall. Feather-like fronds fan out from yellow-orange stalks. Place in indirect medium to high lighting.

Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea erumpens) – This small palm reaches 4 to 12 feet in height. Lacy fronds droop from bamboo-like canes. The Bamboo Palm thrives in shady interior locations.

Bismarck Palm (Bismarckia nobilis) – With their striking silver-blue fronds, these palm trees make a dramatic impact when planted along a long, winding driveway or wide walkway.

Bangalow Palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana) - The Archontophoenix cunninghamiana palm tree, also known as King Palm Tree, Bangalow Palm, and Piccabeen Palm, is an elegant, fast-growing palm native to Australia.

Bottle Palm (Hyophorbe lagenicaulis) – Known for their bottle shaped trunks as well as their upward arching fronds, these palm trees are popular in commercial and residential settings. Bottle palms add tropical flair when planted as a focal point or accent in the landscape.

Chinese Fan Palm (Livistona chinensis) - Chinese Fan palms add tropical elegance when planted along a long, winding driveway or wide walkway. These palm trees are popular in commercial and large residential settings.

Foxtail Palm (Wodyetia bifurcata) - The Foxtail Palm tree is a magestic, fast-growing palm native to Australia. Like the name suggests, the palm fronds resemble the tail of a fox.

Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana) – This elegant palm has a slender green trunk with a crown of drooping dark green fronds. Suitable for rooms with indirect light.

Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) – The size of this species ranges from large to small. Dark green, fan-shaped leaves top bamboo-like stalks. This tropical interior palm adds exotic appeal to any indoor location.

Lipstick Palm (Cyrtostachys renda) - Known for their unique red trunks as well as their feather-like fronds, lipstick palms add vibrant color when planted as an accent or focal point in the landscape.

Mexican Fan Palm (Washingtonia robusta) – Mexican Fan palms are known for being cold hardy palm trees as well as having a fast growth rate. These palm trees are popular in commercial and large residential settings.

Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) – Pale green and single-stemmed, this indoor palm looks best when several stems are potted in a single container. The Parlor Palm thrives in moderate to bright light and high humidity.

Related Palm Tree Information

Indoor Palm Tree Care - Growing Tips and Basic Care

Outdoor Palm Tree Care - Basic Tips and Information

Planting Palm Trees - Tips and Information on Planting Palm Trees, Palm Tree Selection, and Early Palm Tree Maintenance

Growing Palm Trees - How to Grow Palm Trees in the Home and Landscape

Palm Tree Fertilizer - Indoor and Outdoor Palm Tree Fertilizer