Georgia’s subtropical climate and warm temperatures are not exactly perfect for growing palm trees. They have temperatures that are more than warm enough during the summer months, but when winter rolls around it completely wrecks warm weather palm trees like the Canary Island Date palm or Queen palm.
If you’re looking for some palm trees that will actually survive Georgia winters, the ones on this list may work for you. If you live in zone 7 (including readers in Atlanta), however, pay close attention, as not all of them are hardy that far north.
Dwarf Palmetto
The Dwarf Palmetto, Sabal minor, is a great palm tree to grow in the state of Georgia. It is very hardy and can survive in temperatures as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit (up to zone 7). Its small size makes it a suitable option for small yards or gardens, and its attractive fan-shaped fronds add a decorative touch. The Dwarf Palmetto is also very drought tolerant and requires little maintenance, making it an ideal choice for busy homeowners.
Cabbage Palm
The Cabbage Palm Tree, scientific name Sabal palmetto, is one of many of the cold hardy palm trees belonging to the genus Sabal and is hardy to zone 8b. It’s quite versatile in that it can live indoors (with adequate light) or outdoors, and is suited to use as a street planting, framing tree, specimen, or clustered in informal groupings of varying size. Cabbage Palm is ideal for areas that experience colder temperatures as it can withstand temperatures down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sylvester Date Palm
The Sylvester Date Palm is a tall, elegant palm tree that is native to Southeast Asia. It is a great choice for Georgia gardens because it is hardy and resistant to cold temperatures up as far as zone 8b. It can reach heights of up to 50 feet, and its fronds are a beautiful blue-green color. This palm tree requires minimal care and is perfect for adding a tropical feel to any outdoor space. It can also tolerate partial shade and is drought tolerant, making it a great choice for those looking for a low-maintenance palm tree.
Windmill Palm
The Windmill Palm is one of the most reliable of the cold hardy palms available on the market today, and is a great choice for Georgia gardens. It can withstand single digit temperatures and is well suited to our Georgia climate. This attractive palm is native to China and can reach heights of up to 40 feet, being cold hardy up to zone 7 and down to -4F. The Windmill Palm looks great in gardens, beside patios, and along pathways, making it a perfect choice for any outdoor setting. Its natural pest resistance and low maintenance make it an ideal choice for those looking for an easy to care for palm tree.
Sago Palm
The Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) is a unique palm-like evergreen tree with arching pinnate leaves on a thick stem. Its fronds are bright green and rather stiff compared to palm fronds. They are a perfect choice for adding a touch of the tropics to your garden and are relatively easy to grow. Transplanting is usually not necessary as it is a slow-growing plant, but if you want to move it, it is best done when the plant is young and small. It is a living fossil, dating back to prehistoric times and can live up to 200 years. The Sago Palm is perfect for adding interest and beauty to your garden and is a great addition to any home.
Chinese Fan Palm
The Chinese Fan Palm is a stunning tropical plant that originates from the mountains of China, as its name indicates. This palm tree is a popular choice for Georgia due to its ability to withstand temperatures you’ll find in zone 8, although it will die back to the ground during winter. When the cold weather passes, it will grow back from its roots. It also has a slow growth rate and is easy to maintain, making it an ideal choice for home gardeners looking for small palm. The Chinese Fan Palm can grow up to 40-50 feet tall in warmer climates, but it will stay quite small due to constantly being knocked back by winter cold.
European Fan Palm
The European Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis) is a popular choice for gardeners in Georgia. It is a very cold-hardy palm tree that can withstand temperatures as low as 10°F or up to zone 8. It is also known as the Mediterranean Fan Palm and is native to Europe. This slow-growing palm tree can reach a height of up to 15 feet, but it usually grows much shorter. Its fronds are fan-like in shape and have a grey-green color. This palm tree is perfect for small gardens, front landscapes, or backyards, as it requires minimal maintenance and has a long lifespan of up to 100 years.
Pindo Palm
The Pindo Palm (Butia capitata) is an exotic and easy to grow palm tree native to parts of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. It is known for its silvery blue-gray foliage and short, pinnate leaves. The Pindo Palm is a cold hardy palm, making it perfect for areas with cooler climates such as in Georgia, up to zone 8A. It is also very tolerant of many types of soils, so it can be planted in almost any area. The fruits produced by the Pindo Palm are usually light orange or brown in color and are commonly used to make jelly. This makes it an ideal choice for those looking for a unique and eye-catching addition to their garden or landscape.
Needle Palm
The Needle Palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix) is a rugged and hardy palm tree that is native to the southeastern United States. It is a small evergreen plant that grows to a maximum height of 8 feet, and has a spread that’s also about 8 feet wide. The Needle Palm is one of the most cold-hardy palms, and can withstand temperatures down to -15°F. It will survive up to zone 5b, which means you can grow it anywhere in the state of Georgia.
It thrives in either sun or shade, and is highly adaptable to varying soil types. It is a very low-maintenance palm tree, requiring minimal care and maintenance in order to thrive. It is an ideal plant for shady areas, adding texture and interest to any landscape.
Date Palm
The Date Palm is a beautiful and majestic tree that is sure to make a grand impression in any Georgia landscape. With its impressive height of up to 120 feet, this tree is sure to make a statement. The Date Palm can thrive in zones 8b to 11, however, the temperatures must stay above 15 degrees Fahrenheit for it to survive. The Date Palm features a bold, rounded crown and can be used to create an impressive outdoor oasis. The Date Palm is also incredibly easy to maintain, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a low-maintenance addition to their landscape.
Saw Palmetto
The Saw Palmetto is native to many of the southern states including Florida and also native to Georgia. This palm tree is cold hardy and can tolerate temperatures down to 0°F (up to zone 6) and is extremely sturdy and long-lived. It grows slowly, with a clumping habit and typically reaches heights of 3 to 6 feet. The Saw Palmetto is a multi-trunked palm with creeping, rhizomatous roots. It can handle full sun to complete shade conditions, spreading 4 to 10 feet in width.