Are you looking for the best large palm trees to add a tropical touch to your Florida landscape? Look no further! We’ve rounded up some of the best options for creating a beautiful, lush space. Whether you’re looking for something that will provide plenty of shade or something that will add drama and texture to your yard, this list has you covered.
Canary Island Date Palm
The Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis) is native to the Canary Islands, off the coast of West Africa. It has a huge crown of stiff leaves over a thick trunk, making it perfect for formal landscaping. It is popular in Southwest Florida, particularly Cape Coral, and can grow to heights of up to 40 feet. It produces fruits that are edible and sweet, though not the most amazing dates you’ll ever eat. If you want a fruit-bearing palm tree, you’re in luck with this one! Unfortunately, it is vulnerable to the disease Fusarium wilt, so you need to be wary of that when planting one in your garden.
Mexican Fan Palm
The Mexican fan palm is an iconic palm tree that thrives in Florida’s subtropical climate. This tall and fast-growing palm is drought-tolerant and is known for its majestic look. The Mexican fan palm can reach heights of up to 100 feet, making it one of the tallest palms on our list. Its signature blue-green leaves, or fronds, can reach up to 5 feet in length, giving it an impressive and dramatic silhouette. The Mexican fan palm is also popular for its hardiness and ability to withstand strong winds. As long as it’s planted in a well-drained soil, this palm will thrive in Florida’s landscape.
Windmill Palm
The Windmill Palm Tree (Trachycarpus fortunei) is a cold-hardy tree native to China, but it does well outdoors in the warmer climates of Florida. It has a slim stem and fan-shaped leaves at the top, making it a great addition to any garden. It is rated for Zone 7 and is able to tolerate temperatures down to -4 degrees Fahrenheit. The Windmill Palm requires partial to full sun, and its slow growing habit makes it an excellent choice for a low maintenance landscape.
Foxtail Palm Tree
Foxtail palms are a great choice for Florida gardens. This tropical palm is native to Australia but is well-adapted to growing in South Florida. They can reach heights of up to 30 feet, and have big fluffy fronds that look like a fox’s tail. The trunks are smooth and self cleaning, and the leaves are a bright green. Foxtail palms are relatively easy to care for and can survive even in less than ideal conditions, making them a great option for those who don’t have a lot of time to spend on palm tree maintenance. They can be planted in groups or as single specimens and are sure to add beauty and interest to any Florida garden.
Royal Palms
Royal Palms are a fast-growing, single-trunk palm variety that can reach heights of up to 50-90 feet tall, with the Carribean Royal Palm reaching up to 130 feet tall. These majestic palms have blue-green fronds and make a striking addition to any landscape. Royal Palms are highly sought-after in South Florida for their elegant look, and they make for a great poolside tree. However, these large palms are susceptible to three key pest problems that can cause significant symptoms, so proper maintenance is essential. Plant your Royal Palm in an area with plenty of space to accommodate its size and you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful and majestic tree!
Chinese Fan Palms
The Chinese Fan Palm is a beautiful slow-growing palm with a single brown trunk and large bright green fan-shaped leaves. Native from South China, this palm is great for both indoor and outdoor applications, making it a popular choice for many Florida landscapes. Chinese Fan Palms form long tap roots and are fairly drought tolerant, making them an ideal choice for anyone who wants to add a bit of tropical flair to their Florida garden. These palms do best in partial shade to full sun locations and will create a lush and inviting look in any outdoor space.
Raffia Palms
Raffia Palms are an excellent choice for those looking for a tall, tropical palm tree in their yards. Native to Africa, these palms can reach heights of up to 52 feet and feature large, feather-like fronds. Raffia Palms are also incredibly drought-tolerant, making them a great option for hot, dry climates. The trunk of this palm is covered with a fiber-like material that is often used in craft projects.
Bismarck Palms
The Bismarck Palm is one of the most sought-after fan palms in Florida. It is a single-trunk silver-blue palm tree that can tolerate dry and hot conditions. It can grow up to 30-60 feet tall and is an incredible looking palm. Widely used for xeriscaping in southern California to Arizona all the way to Florida, the Bismarck will make a great impression and addition to any landscape. It is native to Madagascar off the coast of Africa.
Sabal Palms
Sabal Palms are native to the southeastern United States, growing naturally from North Carolina to Florida and west to Texas. It is the state tree of Florida and is prominently featured on the state flag of South Carolina, which is known as the “Palmetto State”. Sabal Palms are incredibly hardy, able to tolerate cold and harsh conditions. They are a popular choice for landscapers and homeowners alike due to their easy maintenance and natural beauty. The Sabal Palm is also known for its edible new leaves at the top of its trunk, which can be used as an edible food source (not that you’d want to, especially considering you have to cut them out of the top 3 feet of the trunk – the seeds/fruit are also edible, though). If you’re looking for a hardy and beautiful palm tree that is native to the southeast United States, then Sabal Palms should be at the top of your list.
Coconut Palms
Coconut palms (Cocos nucifera) are one of the most iconic palms in Florida. Growing up to 60-100 feet tall and 25 feet wide, these large palms are instantly recognizable with their bulging trunks and distinctive crowns of fronds. Coconut palms are widely used for landscaping in the sunshine state, adding a tropical flair to any outdoor area. These palms are also very hardy and can withstand a variety of conditions, making them an ideal choice for Florida landscapers. Coconut palms do not require much maintenance and make an excellent addition to a zone 10 or 11 garden. Not only are coconut palms beautiful, but they also provide a great source of food – their fruits are edible, providing a delicious and nutritious snack. With all these attributes, it’s easy to see why coconut palms are one of the best large palm trees for Florida.
Sylvester Date palms
The Sylvester Date Palm Tree is one of the most attractive large palms in Florida. It is known for its incredibly unique trunk that is sure to attract attention and add a bit of flair to your property. The Sylvester is easy to handle and grows fairly fast. It has the same general look, although not nearly as grand as the Canary Island Date Palm. Dates grow in Florida during the rainy season; however, they generally get moldy and die off before they can mature. If you are looking for an attractive and hardy palm tree to add to your Florida landscape, the Sylvester Date Palm Tree is a great choice.
Queen Palm
The Queen Palm is a popular choice for landscaping in tropical and subtropical climates due to its glossy pinnate leaves that droop gracefully. Native to Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina, this species is often seen planted along streets, in parks or large scale landscapes. Queen Palms have a smooth gray trunk and can grow up to 50 feet tall. Despite their height, they are surprisingly cold hardy and can tolerate well-drained soils. These palms produce yellow-orange fruits that are attractive to birds. They are also low-maintenance and drought tolerant, making them an excellent choice for landscapes in Florida.
Lipstick Palm
The Lipstick Palm, also known as the Red Sealing Wax Palm, is a stunning tropical palm tree that is native to Malaysia and Indonesia. It is a very desirable species due to its unique and visually stunning appearance. This palm grows up to 35 feet tall and has a long, elegant trunk that is covered in deep red wax. The leaves of the Lipstick Palm are long and feathery, and they form a dome-like crown that is highly ornamental. The Lipstick Palm will thrive in any type of soil and is quite easy to maintain. It is an excellent choice for large landscapes, as it adds an eye-catching focal point.
Bangalow Palm
The Bangalow Palm (Archontontophoenix cunninghamiana) is a beautiful and iconic species of palm tree that is native to the rainforests of Australia. It has a distinctive grey and ringed trunk that can grow up to 30cm in diameter and is topped with a large green crown of fronds. It is one of the hardiest palms available, making it ideal for planting in Florida gardens. It can tolerate drought and salt air, making it a great choice for coastal areas. The Bangalow Palm requires some protection from strong winds and will thrive in partial shade. It is also relatively low maintenance and can grow quickly, reaching heights of up to 60 feet.
Alexandra Palm
The Alexandra Palm is a tall, solitary palm that can be planted in full sun or partial shade. It is often confused with the Alexander Palm, but it has a more graceful appearance due to its arching leaves that tend to stay more vertical as they grow. These leaves can reach up to seven feet in length, making the Alexandra Palm a beautiful and impressive addition to any garden. The Alexandra Palm produces a type of fruit called palm fruit, which can be used for both culinary and decorative purposes. It is found in many tropical regions such as Hawaii, Big Island of Hawaii, Florida, and even Caribbean islands.
African Oil Palm
The African Oil Palm, Elaeis Guineensis, is a great option for a Florida garden. It is a fast-growing species that can reach heights of up to 60 feet, providing a lush and exotic backdrop for any landscape. Its leaves are large and fan-shaped, growing up to 15 feet in length. The fruit it produces also makes it a great choice for gardeners looking to attract wildlife. The oil palm’s fruit is high in oil content and can be used to produce edible oil and other products. Additionally, its hardy nature makes it well-suited to the humid climate of Florida, resisting the heat and humidity with ease. The African Oil Palm is an attractive and versatile plant that makes an excellent addition to any Florida garden.
Fiji Fan Palm
The Fiji Fan Palm, Pritchardia pacifica, is an excellent option for gardeners in Florida looking for a unique and attractive addition to their landscape. This fan palm has a slow growth rate and can reach heights of up to 30 feet. Its leaves are fan-shaped and silvery green in color. It also produces fragrant yellow flowers, which are followed by small red fruits that attract birds and other wildlife. The palm is very tolerant of drought and is relatively pest-resistant. It prefers full sun, but can also tolerate some shade. Additionally, it is quite salt tolerant, making it a great choice for coastal areas. The Fiji Fan Palm is an excellent addition to any Florida garden due to its attractive foliage, slow growth rate, pest-resistance, and salt tolerance.
If you want to see more palm trees that will grow in Florida, check out my larger post about 42 Varieties of Palm Trees That Grow in Florida