Click a photo to learn more about our featured palms, cycads and other unusual plants. Prices listed are wholesale rates. We deliver!
(This part of our website is still under construction and we have many other types of palms, so please have a look at our wholesale pricelist too!)
Macaw Palm
Acrocomia aculeata
Cuban Belly Palm
Acrocomia crispa
Calappa Palm
Actinorhytis calapparia
Seashore Palm
Allogoptera arenaria
Sweet Seashore Palm
Allogoptera brevicalyx
Buri Palm
Allogoptera caudescens
King Palm
Archontophoenix alexandrae
Mount Lewis King Palm
Archontophoenix purpurea
Betel Nut Palm
Areca catechu
Hooker's Miniature Sugar Palm (3 leaflet form)
Arenga caudata hookeriana 'three leaflet form'
Dwarf Sugar Palm
Arenga tremula
Chocho Palm
Astrocaryum mexicanum
American Oil Palm
Attalea butyracea
Carossier Oil Palm, Haitian Oil Palm
Attalea crassispatha
California Coconut Palm
Beccariophoenix alfredii
Giant Windowpane Palm
Beccariophoenix fenestralis
Nicobar Palm
Bentinckia nicobarica
Silver Bismark Palm
Bismarkia nobilis
African Palmyra Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Dreadlock Palm
Burretiokentia hapala
Mount Koghi Kentia Palm
Burretiokentia koghiensis
Vieillard's Kentia Palm Palm
Burretiokentia vieillardii
Elegant Palm
Carpoxylon macrospermum
Himalayan Giant Fishtail Palm
Caryota maxima var. Himalaya
Wine Fishtail Palm
Caryota urens
European Fan Palm
Chamaerops humilis
Blonde Flamethrower Palm
Chambeyronia hookeri
Houailou Flamethrower Palm
Chambeyronia houailouensis
Flamethrower Palm
Chambeyronia macrocarpa
White Crowned Palm
Chrysalidocarpus albofarinosa
Cabada Palm
Chrysalidocarpus cabadae
Triangle Palm
Chrysalidocarpus decaryi
Ivovowo Palm
Chrysalidocarpus lanceolata
Redneck Palm
Chrysalidocarpus lastelliana
Lucuba Palm
Chrysalidocarpus madagascariensis
Pembana Palm
Chrysalidocarpus pembana
Hainan Fan Palm
Chuniophoenix hainanensis
Pacific Beauty Palm
Clinostigma savoryanum
Camaguey Azule Palm
Coccothrinax camagueyana
Old Man Palm
Coccothrinax crinita
Bahamian Silver Palm
Coccothrinax inaguensis
Blue Silver Palm
Coccothrinax macroglossa azul
Savior Palm
Coccothrinax salvatoris
Fiji Dwarf Coconut
Cocos nucifera
Caranday Palm
Copernicia alba
Yarey Palm
Copernicia baileyana
Yerey Palm
Copernicia berteroana
Miniature Yarey Palm (Isle of Pines blue clumping form)
Copernicia curtissi
Miniature Yarey Palm (Pinar del Rio blue clumping form)
Copernicia curtissi
Giant Yarey Palm
Copernicia fallaensis
Sold out
Cuban Wax Palm
Copernicia hospita
Cuban Petticoat Palm
Copernicia macrogossa
Talipot Palm
Corypha umbraculifera
Sago Palm
Cycas revoluta
Princess palm, Hurricane palm
Dictyosperma album
Round Island Hurricane palm
Dictyosperma album var. conjugatum
Giant Dioon
Dioon spinulosum
Dragon Tree
Dracaena draco
Zululand Cycad
Encephalartos ferox
Mombasa Cycad
Encephalartos hildebrandtii
Karoo Cycad
Encephalartos lehmannii
Bushman's River Cycad
Encephalartos trispinosus
Hardy Acai, Acai do sul
Euterpe edulis
Acai Palm
Euterpe oleracea
LLume Palm
Gaussia attenuata
Maya Palm
Gaussia maya
Lolipop Palm
Hemithrinax ekmaniana
Obi Nymph Palm
Hydriastele beguinii 'Obi island'
Highland Pink Nymph Palm
Hydriastele pinangoides 'Highland'
Red Champagne Palm
Hyophorbe indica (red form)
Bottle Palm
Hyophorbe lagenicaulis
Spindle Palm
Hyophorbe verschaffeltii
Miraguama Palm
Kentiopsis oliviformes
White Elephant Palm
Kerriodoxa elegans
Blue Latan Palm
Latania loddigessii
Key Thatch Palm
Leucothrinax morrisii
Vanautu Fan Palm
Licuala grandis
Ribbon palm
Livistona decora
Chinese fan palm
Livistona chinensis
Crook Fruit palm
Loxococcus rupicola
Vilaito Palm
Neovetchia storkii
Sindro Palm
Orania trispatha
Thief Palm
Phoenicophorium borsigianum
Dwarf Date Palm
Phoenix acaulis
Canary Island Date Palm
Phoenix canariensis
Cliff Date Palm
Phoenix rupicola
Silver Date Palm
Phoenix sylvestris
Cretan Date Palm
Phoenix theophrasti
Phillipine Cane Palm
Pinanga philippinensis (compact form)
Maroon Cane Palm
Pinanga sp. 'maroon crownshaft'
Thai Mottled Cane Palm
Pinanga sp. 'Thai mottled'
Yellow Cane Palm
Pinanga sp. 'yellow crownshaft'
Molokai Fan Palm
Pritchardia hildebrandii
Molokai Blue Dwarf Fan Palm (Huelo Islet)
Pritchardia hildebrandii 'Huelo Blue'
Koulu hiwa, Coppertone Fan palm
Pritchardia martii
Fiji Fan palm
Pritchardia pacifica
Dwarf Fiji Fan Palm
Pritchardia thurstonii
Puerto Rican Royal Palm
Roystonea borinquena
Santo Domingo Palm
Sabal domingensis
Savannah Fan Palm
Sabal mauritiiformis
Dwarf Palmetto
Sabal minor
Satake Palm
Satakentia liukiuensis
Colombian Foxtail Palm
Syagrus sancona
Florida Thatch Palm
Thrinax radiata
Montgomery Palm
Veitchia arecina
Seychelles Stilt Palm
Verschaffeltia splendida
Actopan Coontie, Sleek Zamia
Zamia inermis
Variegated Zamia
Zamia picta (variegata)
Coontie
Zamia pumila
Palm Size Measurements
All of our palms are grown in containers, so there is usually no need to root prune them in advance or harden them off before transport. We generally sell smaller palms by pot size, and larger palms by their overall (OA) height or clear trunk (CT) height.
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Overall Height (OA)
Height of the uppermost fully extended mature frond. A mature frond is generally bent over to some degree, so OA can be a few feet less than measuring to the tip of the spear.
Clear Trunk Height (CT)
Height of the trunk between the top of the root ball and the bottom of the first row of fronds of the palm.
Contact Us
We are a small nursery located in Homestead, Florida. We offer bargain prices, but operate by appointment or delivery only. Costs for delivery depend on the size of the load and distance.
Please feel free to call me at 305 484-2253 or Email porch.urbanoasis@gmail.com or by clicking the link below!
Coyol Palm
Acrocomia aculeata
An interesting palm widely distributed through much of tropical America. From a distance it looks like a royal palm, but is not as tall (growing to about 45 feet) and sports rings of wicked spines that gradually fall off as the trunk ages. It is drought tolerant and can take temperatures as low as 26 degrees F for short periods. It does well in South Florida’s alkaline soils with a little fertilizer. This is the last specimen I have from seeds I collected in Trinidad. The palm is thought to be so widely distributed because of its usefulness to indigenous peoples. The yellow fruit are edible (mildly sweet), the seeds can be roasted, and the young leaves are sometimes cooked and eaten. The oil is useful for cooking can also be obtained from the seed kernel.-
Cuban Belly Palmn
Acrocomia crispa
This unusual pam with a bizarrely swollen midsection is endemic to Cuba. It sports a tall, spiny trunk that is slender at the base, but bizarrely swollen in the middle (hence the name). It is very slow growing, but quite hardy in south Florida. It occurs naturally in calcareous limestone soils like we have here, and prefers a well-drained position with a regular supply of water.-
Calappa Palmn
Actinorhytis calapparia
A tall, slender palm with elegant recurved leaves, a long lime-green crownshaft, and large (3”) showy red fruit.. It is native to the lowland rainforests of New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, so not surprisingly it likes a lot of water and relatively rich soil. It is, however, surprisingly cold tolerant and can even take mild freezes with little damage. It is cultivated in Southeast Asia for medicinal purposes and as a substitute to betel.-
Seashore Palm
Allogoptera arenaria
The beautiful seashore palm hails from the Atlantic Coast of Brazil, growing just above the high tide mark on sandy beaches. It is widely cultivated throughout South America, both for its ornamental appeal as well as for its pineapple-tasting fruits, which are eaten fresh and made into drinks or jam. It is slow growing when young, but very hardy and, as you might expect, the perfect for palm beach and coastal situations. It prefers full sun and is very tolerant of high winds and salt spay. It a great palm for inland areas as well, known to survive temperatures as low as 24 degrees F and being highly tolerant of a wide range of poor soils (as long as they have good drainage). It is a clustering palm that tops out between 6 and 8 feet tall and is hard to beat as a screen or specimen palm for tight places.
Sweet Seashore Palm
Allogoptera brevicalyx
This gem is found on white sand beaches along the Bahia coast of Brazil. It is a clustering palm that looks much like its cousin A. arenaria, but is a little more upright and develops more curly leaves. More importantly, it has even better tasting fruit! As might be expected from a beach palm, it likes well draining soil. Otherwise it is perfect for south Florida, being quite tolerant of drought and cold (specimens showing no damage even in temperatures down to the mid twenties F). It gets up to 7 feet tall and, like the seashore palm, makes a great screen or specimen.
Buri Palm
Allogoptera caudescens
An attractive solitary palm with silver undersides found in the Atlantic Coastal forests and plains of Brazil. Like other Allagoptera it likes a well-drained position, is drought tolerant, and cold tolerant to about 30 degrees. It looks best with some shade until it approaches maturity. It can eventually reach over 40 feet tall, but is very slow growing and will take many years to reach that height.
King Alexander Palm
Archontophoenix alexandrae
I can't figure out why this palm from the rainforests of Queensland Australia isn't as popular here as it is there. It is beautiful, fast growing and cheap! It does well here in south Florida, and although it prefers a regular supply of water (even tolerating poorly drained soils), it is fairly drought tolerant once established. It also is reasonably cold-tolerant, taking freezing temperatures little damage.-
Mt. Lewis King Palm
Archontophoenix purpurea
This beauty with the purple crownshaft hails from the swamps and rainforests of Northern Queensland, Australia. Although reasonably cold tolerant (to the high twenties F), it is otherwise a bit fussier than A. alexandrae, requring plenty of water, rich soil and partial shade until it is fairly large. However, for those willing to meet its requirements, it is a very rewarding palm to grow.-
Phillipine Dwarf Sugar palm
Arenga tremula
The lovely Phillipine Dwarf Sugar Palm is decidedly under-used in South Florida. It forms multiple trunks and makes for a lovely accent plant by itelf, or great hedge or screen when spaces 3-6 feet apart. It likes regular water, but can survive short droughts, and tolerates temperatures into the high twenties F. It is harvested from the wild by locals for food (palm heart and starch from the stems) and as a source of thatch. Like most arengas, the fruit contain oxalates and will irritate the skin-
Betel Nut palm
Areca catechu
The beautiful Betel Nut palm is found throughout much of Southeast Asia and widely cultivated for both its beauty and for the psychoactive chemicals in the fruit, which act as a mild stimulant. It is easily grown in South Florida with regular irrigation, but needs to be protected when the temperatures dip into the 30s F (some folks don't go to the trouble because the species is so fast growing and inexpensive that it is easier to just buy a new one). It reaches 60 feet in habitat, but you won't see one more than half that size in Florida. For more information see https://www.palmbeachpalmcycadsociety.com/palms/documents/ArecaCatechu.pdf.-
Hooker's Sugar palm (three leaf form)
Arenga hookeriana
A unique and highly prized clustering dwarf palm from Thailand and Malaysia. It appears to be an entire-leaved form of Arenga caudata; the two 'species' are often found together in the wild and there is quite a large variation in leaf forms. The variety we have now has some entire leaves and some with two smaller leaflets under the main blade. It makes a good indoor potted plant, but can also be planted outdoors in full to partial shade. It can grow in a variety of well-drained soils, but requires regular fertilizing to look its best in South Florida's poor soils. It can survive brief frost, but generally should be protected of temperatures drop below 36 degrees.
Tibetan Sugar palm
Arenga micrantha
This unique looking, multistemmed Arenga from the foothills of the Himalays growns to about 20 ft with and has elegant leaves with silvery white undersides. It is easily the most cold hardy of the genus, being found as high as 7000 ft above sea level where it occasionally endures a light winter snow and frequent freezes. It’s native habitat is moist and warm in summer, and cold and dry in winter, but it is quite adaptable and does well in the hotter, humid conditions of south Florida (albeit with a slower growth rate). It is seldom cultivated here and you will be one of the few folks around who have one.
Chocho Palm
Astrocaryum mexicanum
This striking palm is widely distributed throughout Mexico and Central America. It has a short, spiny trunk that carries a crown of dark green leaves with sivery undersides and heavily armed petioles. The leaves are nearly entire in younger plants and then turn pinnate as the plants mature. Maximum height is about 9 feet. It is easy to care for, doing well in our calcareous soils, and is oe of the most cold hardy in the genus, taking temperatures down to 30 degrees. It can take full sun as an adult plant, but looks its best with some shade. A great plant to place where you want people to look, but not go!
American Oil Palm
Attalea butyracea
A magnificent oil palm found throughout much of South and Central America that can reach over 60 feet tall with a trunk that can be two feet across and gently recurved leaves over 20 feet long. It is one of the most cold tolerant of the genus, with mature specimens in Tampa reported to have survived 19 F and young specimens surviving the high 20s F with no damage. It is not fussy in regards to soil and can even be sited in poorly drained areas. It likes full sun even as a young seedling. It is one of the most useful plants in the world, producing tasty edible fruits and seeds, oil, and palm heart, as well as leaves used for construction. All in all a most excellent, and underutilized, palm for larger yards.
Hatian Oil Palm
Attalea crassispatha
This is the rarest of the oil palms, endemic to Haiti where widespread deforestation has reduced the wild population to only about 25 individuals. It is smaller than its cousins, reaching only about 30 feet tall, making a better choice for those whith smaller gardens. It does very well here in South Florida, being tolerant of most soil types, droughts and even some salt exposure, but is not as cold tolerant as A. butyracea. There is a large stand of mature trees at Faircild Garden, but it is still relatively rare in private collections.
California Coconut
Beccariophoenix alfredii
This palm is the perfect cold-hardy alternative to the ever popular coconut, being similar in appearance and size (to 50 feet with a 1 foot wide trunk), but taking temperatures down to 25 F even as a young plant. It comes from the High Plateau of Madagascar, where it experiences rather harsh conditions including frost, fire, and drought. If you are looking for a tougher version of the coconut without the fear of lethal falling fruit, this is the tree for you. -
Giat Windowpane Palm
Beccariophoenix fenestralis
The Giant Windowpane palm is another great alternative to the ever popular coconut, but with a unique appeal all its own as a younger plant when the large leaf remains intact except for a series of slits giving it the windowpane appearance. As an adult it is similar in size and looks to a coconut, but produces only very small nuts that pose no danger to people. It does well in South FLorida's poor soils with regular fertilizing and is more cold hardy than the Coconut Palm, taking temperatures down to about 28 F even as a young plant. It is ridiculously rare in habitat, with only 2 adults known in all of Madagascar. -
Silver Bismark Palm
Bismarkia nobilis
A spectacular fan palm from the highland savannas Madagascar, with silvery blue leaves and a tall, columnar trunk. Well-suited to South Florida, being drought tolerant and hardy to a few degrees below freezing. Also tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. Our plants come from seed collected only from the areas of Madagascar with the best, most silvery blue plants. Larger field grown Bismarkias have a reputation for being difficult to transplant, but our potted plants have all done very well. -
Dreadlock palm
Burretiokentia hapala
One of the easiest New Caledonian palms to grow in South Florida, this beauty sports a bright green, ringed trunk, with a prominent crownshaft that holds a crown of glossy green leaves and curious, furry flower stalks. It likes some shade, but can eventually take full sun as it matures towards its maximum height of about 40 feet. It can tolerate temperatures in the high 20's F without protection. -
Elegant Palm
Carpoxylon macrospermum
One of the most beautiful of all palms and a personal favorite of mine, sporting elegant recurved fronds, pink inflorescences, and a lovely green crown shaft that briefly turns bright yellow with each shed. It is well-suited to South Florida, taking temperatures as low as 28 degrees F, and is more drought tolerant than people give it credit for once established. At one point there were fewer than 90 specimens left in the wilds of its native Vanuatu. -
Himalayan Giant Fishtail Palm
Caryota maxima var. Himalaya
A very large palm with a beautiful leaf arrangement that looks like something out of Jurassic park. It grows to 100 feet tall in its native habitat in the foothills of the central and eastern Himalayas (up to 8000 ft) and is reputed to be the most cold-tolerant of all Fishtail Palms, withstanding temperatures below 19 degrees F (snow and moderate frosts). If you have room for it, this one is hard to beat. -
Jaggery Palm
Caryota urens
The Wine Palm gives a similar Jurassic park vibe to the Himalayan Giant, but doesn't grow quite so tall, reaching about 5o feet in its native habitat. It comes from Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar and Malaysia. It is quite fast growing and, provided you keep it irrigated during the dry season, it will become a very large tree in just a few years. It is widely grown in California and can take temperatures down to 22 degrees F.-
Mediterranean Fan palm
Chamaerops humilis
This hardy palm grows throughout the Mediterranean area and is the northern-most growing palm in the world. It can take temperatures down to 10 degrees F! It also does well in hot, seasonally dry climates like South Florida. As long as the soil is well drained it will thrive.
Blonde Flamethrower Palm
Chambeyronia hookeri
This is the much sought after 'blonde' form of the Flamethrower palm, with a light yellow crownshaft, yellow petioles and bright red new leaf. Culture is the same for C. macrocarpa. Can take full sun at a fairly young age (even 3 gallon size).
Houailou Flamethrower Palm
Chambeyronia houailouensis
This is the rarer cousin to the Flamethrower palm, known only from a remote valley near Houailou on New Caledonia’s east coast and just descibed in 2021 as a new species. It is a spectacular palm with a yellow-green crownshaft and bright green, stiffly recurving leaves with thick leathery leaflets that are salmon-colored when they first emerge. Young plants have distinctively large, unsplit leaves. Culture is the same for C. macrocarpa.
Flamethrower Palm, Red Feather Palm
Chambeyronia macrocarpa
One of the great palms from New Caledonia, the Flamethrower is a must have for any subtropical garden. We carry two forms based on the color pattern of their crownshaft, 'Green' and 'Watermelon'. Both forms have a spectacular red/maroon new leaf, hence the name. It does very well here in South Florida with a reasonably well-drained position in light shade to full sun (even at the 3 gallon size), and can take temperatures down to 25 degrees F.
Hainan fan palm
Chuniophoenix hainanensis
A very special palm from Hainan Island, China. It is probably one of the best palms for container growing and makes a superb specimen palm and with its deeply cut fan-shaped leaves, it resembles a huge Rhapis excelsa, but with large bunches of bright red, cherry-size fruits are produced, transforming it from the merely unusual to the frankly spectacular. Bushy in habit, its maximum height is only about 10-15 feet. (RPS.com) -
Camaguey Azule Palm
Coccothrinax camaqueyana
A lovely Coccothrinax species endemic to east central Cuba that is rarely found in cultivation despite it's beautiful thatched trunk and blue-hued leaves. Like most species in the genus, it requires a well-draining site, can take an occasional light freeze and is quite resistant to drought. It prefers full sun at a young age, but can still thrive in partial shade. Grown from seeds from Montgomery Botanical Center.
Old Man Palm
Coccothrinax crinita (subsp. crinita)
The one-of-a-kind Old Man palm from Cuba is famous for its slim trunk covered with pale, wooly fibers reminiscent of a long beard on an older man. It is very slow growing as a young seedling and, unlike most species in the genus, actually prefers some shade at that stage. After a few years, however, growth speeds up considerably and it should be placed in full sun. It thrives in South Florida's limestone soils, is drought tolerant and will take a short, light frost without damage. It can take short periods of flooding, but does best in a well-drained situation
Bahama Thatch Palm
Coccothrinax inaguensis)
A relatively rare species of thatch palm found only on a few islands in the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos. Its primary habitat is in coastal scrub communities on sandy and limestone soils, so it obviously does very well in the South Florida area. It is salt tolerant, drought tolerant and takes temperatures down to about 31 F with little or no damage. Just give it a well drained site, water it until it is established, and then leave it alone!
Savior Palm
Coccothrinax salvatoris
Another Coccothrinax species endemic to east central Cuba that is still very uncommon in cultivation (these plants were grown from seed collected just north of Camaguey). It has pretty green leaves with silvery undersides that sit atop a thin trunk with an unusual corky bark. It likes moisture, but requires a well-draining site and is reasonably resistant to drought. It can take an occasional light freeze. It prefers full sun at a young age, but can still thrive in partial shade.
Fiji Dwarf Coconut
Coco nucifera
No one can deny that the coconut palm stands alone as the icon of the tropics, and in Florida, the premier variety of coconut is the Fiji Dwarf (also called “Niu Leka”). It is much more resistant to lethal yellowing than most other cultivars. That alone should make it your first choice. It also does not suffer the nutritional deficiencies that plague most other varieties on Florida's poor soils. The parent plant shown here has been growing healthy for years on nothing but a thin pile of limestone gravel overlying solid rock and, at the time of this photo, had NEVER been fertilized, yet it is still quite green. The Fiji Dwarf also has a strong, thick trunk that is more like the tall varieties, making it more wind resistant than most other dwarf varieties. If that weren’t enough, it is one of the prettiest cultivars, with a dense crown of short, dark leaves. Finally, it tops out at about 25 feet tall (so no lethal coconut bombs) and can bear fruit at a young age just a few feet off the ground! What more could you ask for? The parent tree is in the photo, and there are no other palm trees within 1000 feet of it, so these trees are unlikely to be hybrids. https://www.ars.usda.gov/news-events/news/research-news/2008/fiji-dwarf-coconut-is-one-tough-nut/
Pacific Beauty Palm
Clinostigma savoryanum
This palm from the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands south of Japan is, just as its common name suggests, one of the most attractive palms around. It is the hardiest species in the genus for south Florida, tolerating our alkaline soils (though it likes heavy mulching) and temperatures to 30 F. It needs filtered light when young, but can take full sun when mature. It is not drought tolerant and requires a moist, well drained soil. It reaches 50 feet tall in its native volcanic habitat, but not much more than half that here.-
Yarey Palm
Copernicia baileyana
A magnificent fan palm from Cuba with stiff waxy-green leaves and an imposing white columnar trunk that can reach 45 feet tall. It is very drought tolerant and does well in South Florida's alkaline soils. Hardy to 26 degrees F. -
Carnaday Palm
Copernicia alba
This attractive Copernicia is widely distributed across South America and is the most cold hardy species in the genus, taking temperatures down to the mid twenties F with no damage. It does very well in South Florida soils and is a great alternative to the larger Copernicia species for those with smaller yards. The plants I have remaining have a gentle curve about them and are on special now at $15 per foot OA
Yerey Palm
Copernicia berteroana
This palm from Hispaniola is a beautiful mid-sized alternative for people who do not have a large enough yard to accommodate the larger Copernicias. It grows to about 30 feet, with a dense crown of bright green leaves and a lovely patterned gray-brown trunk that can reach 18 inches in diameter. It does very well in South Florida’s seasonally dry climate and can take temperatures as low as 28 degrees F with little damage.-
Miniature Yarey Palm (Isle of Pines blue clumping form)
Copernicia curtissii
This beautiful palm with a hint of aquamarine hails from the Isle of Pines (Isle of Youth) off Cuba. Reaching only about 20 feet tall, it is a great alternative to the much bigger C. baileyana and C. fallensis. It is one of the few Copernicias that form clumps and the leaves of this particular variety develop an attractive aquamarine/silver hue. It does very well in South Florida’s seasonally dry climate and rocky, alkaline soils. It can take temperatures as low as 28 degrees F with no damage. The photo on the featured palm page is the isolated parent plant.-
Miniature Yarey Palm (Pinar del Rio blue clumping form)
Copernicia curtissii
This rare palm from the savannahs of the Pinar del Rio region of Cuba is an absolute stunner, sporting an incredibly dense canopy of intensly blue-silver leaves that is unmatced among palms. It is classified as a variation of C. curtissii, but looks very different from the green coastal forms or the aquamarine form from the Isle of Pines. It is a spectacular mid-sized alternative to the much bigger C. baileyana and C. fallensis. It does very well in South Florida’s seasonally dry climate and rocky, alkaline soils. It can take temperatures as low as 28 degrees F with no damage. Our palms were grown from seeds obtained from the same parents as the one in the photo and already are turning blue.-
Giant Yarey Palm
Copernicia fallaensis
One of the most stately of all palms, this beauty from central Cuba sports stiff, waxy blue-green leaves on a massive columnar trunk that can reach nearly 70 feet tall. It is very drought tolerant and does well in South Florida's alkaline soils. Hardy to 26 degrees F. If you have room for it, there is no better palm for South Florida
Cuban Wax Palm
Copernicia hospita
This striking palm is considered by many to be the one of the most spectacular palmate palms in the world. A heavy layer of wax on its leaves gives it a lovely bluish sheen (although some are bluer than others). It is perfectly adapted for South Florida, being drought tolerant and thriving in full sun. Established plants can take temperatures down to 26ºF. It is slow growing and reaches a maximum of about 25 feet tall with a trunk less than 12 inches in diameter,, making it another great alternative to its larger cousins.
Cuban Petticoat Palm
Copernicia macroglossa
There is nothing quite like the spectacular Cuban Petticoat palm, with its bright green leaves on very short stalks stacked over persistent leaf bases that form a long skirt that can last decades. It is widely distributed in its native Cuba, occupying a variety of habitats including savannas, limestone hills and edges of salt marshes.Not surprisingly, it does very well in South Florida’s poor soils and hot, humid weather. It is highly drought tolerant, but also does well in wet conditions provided the soil is well draining. It can take temperatures down to the 28 F with minor leaf damage. It also is salt tolerant and highly wind resistant, making it a perfect choice for those who live on the water and want a showy plant that is easy to care for. It can reach up to 25 feet tall with an 8 inch trunk, but is very slow growing and will take decades to reach that height
Talipot Palm
Corypha umbraculifera
This beauty from Inda is one of the largest palms in the world, reaching heights of up to 100 feet with a massive trunk up to 3.5 feet across and giant costapalmate leaves 20 feet across. It also bears the largest inflorescence of any plant, up to to 25 feet high, ultimately bearing tens of thousands of seeds. Unfortunately, the palm dies after flowering, but unless you are very young you probably won't live to see it as Talipots take 50 to 80 years to mature. The species does well in South Florida's climate and poor soil as long as the site is well-drained. It is drought tolerant once established, and can take temperatures down to the high 20s. It is not especially needy, in fact the specimen shown in the cover photo has rarely been fertilized during its life, yet is still attractive (of course it would look even better if it had been fertilized regularly). It is a real showstopper for anyone who has a big enough yard to accommodate it!
Japanese Sago Palm
Cycas revoluta
A popular cycad native to southern Japan including the Ryukyu Islands. It is easy to care for, being drought tolerant, salt tolerant, and cold tolerant to 15 degrees F. It is quite inexpensive as well, and therefore very widely planted.
Princess palm, Hurricane Palm
Dictyosperma album
The Princess, or Hurricane, palm is a lovely, medium size palm (reaches about 35 feet in height) from the Mascarene archipelago off Africa that is famous for its ability to survive hurricane force winds (hence the name). It is an excellent choice for South Florida as it is not prone to micro-nutritional deficiencies, is salt tolerant, and moderately drought tolerant. It fares our winters very well and will usually show only minor damage with a freeze. Unfortunately Princess palms are nearly extinct in their native habitat due to farming, however they are common enough in cultivation to be relatively inexpensive and are a great choice for those looking for an elegant palm on a budget.
Round Island Hurricane Palm
Dictyosperma album var. conjugatum
The Round Island Princess Palm is known only from tiny Round Island in the Mascarene archipelago (Indian Ocean) where only one mature specimen remains. It is easiliy distinguished from other varieties of Princess Palms by the persistent reins that join the leaf tips all the way around the frond. It is also the smallest variety of Princess Palm, reaching only 15 feet tall, so you will always be able to appreciate its beauty up close. Like other Princes Palms, it is not fussy about soils, seldom suffers micronutrient deficiencies, and is one of the most hurricane resistant plants around. It is also reputed to be the most drought tolerant variety of Princess Palm (the palm in the photo is situated in essentially bare rock with no irrigation). One can hardly imagine a better palm for South Florida.
Giant Dioon
Dioon spinulosum
A beautiful, trunked cycad with large green leaves 5-7 ft long. Native to limestone cliffs in the rainforests of Veracruz and Oaxaca, Mexico. Among the tallest of cycads, reaching 25 ft in height. Very well-suited to South Florida limestone soils. Moderately drought-tolerant, but prefering good drainage with regular water. Hardy to USDA Zones 9B – 11.
Canary Islands Dragon Tree
Dracaena draco
A spectacularly curious subtropical tree in the genus Dracaena, native to the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, and western Morocco. Seeds collected during a visit to Tenerife. Slow growing and requires full sun to grow to its full potential of over 25 feet tall and 25 feet wide (can grow up to 70 feet tall in it's native habitat, but only after many decades). Drought tolerant must have well draining soil (constant wet feet will kill it). Hardy to about 20-25 degrees F -
Solomon Islands Palm
Drymophloeus subdistichus
This fast-growing solitary palm with lovely arching leaves can reach about 30 feet tall and does well in South Florida with regular watering in a well drained position. Similar to closely-related Veitchia species, it needs protection when temperatures fall below freezing. It is found only in the Solomon Islands and is threatened by habitat loss.
Cabada Palm
Chrysalidocarpus cabadae
A lovely clustering species with dark green stems and nearly-white ringlike leaf scars on 3 inch wide trunks that reach 35 feetin height. It is a good alternative to the overused Areca Palm (D. lutescens) and does very well here in South Florida (does not need regular irrigation once established and can take brief freezes). Interestingly, for many years the species was known only in cultivation, but recently was found growing wild in the rainforests of the Comoro Islands. We are specialing out specimens 10-15 feet tall at just $100!
Triangle Palm
Chrysalidocarpus decaryi
A medium-sized palm from the dry forests of southern Madagascar that looks like something from Jurassic park. It does very well here in south Florida, being very tolerant of poor soils and drought. It is one of the most widely cultivated palms in the world.
Ivovowo Palm
Chrysalidocarpus lanceolata
This pretty, clumping palm is native to the Comoro Islands, near Madagascar. It is similar in appearance to the Cabada palm, but is more petite in stature (reaching less than 20 feet tall and with stems only 3-4 inches wide) and has broader, more elegant leaflets. It is hardy to 34 degrees, but needs protection if temperatures dip near freezing. It prefer a lightly shaded positioned, but can take full sun when mature. Plant in well-drained soil.
Redneck Palm
Chrysalidocarpus lastelliana
A tall and slender beauty from the rainforests of northern Madagascar. Despite its name, it is actually more elegant than the similar looking Teddy Bear palm (D. leptochelos) with a dark red brown to nearly purple crownshaft. It is easy to grow, but needs protection when the temperature falls near freezing and is not drought tolerant. Young palms make pretty house plants.
Pembana Palm
Chrysalidocarpus pembana
This lovely species is among the best in the genus for South Florida. It is known only from a single forest on Pemba island (off Tanzania, Africa). It tends to be a clumping species, with stems from 15 to 30 ft high. It likes ample irrigation, but does not require it in soils that retain water well except in times of prolonged drought.
Zululand Cycad
Encephalartos ferox
This showy species hails from Mozambique and the Natal Coast in South Africa. It is one of the most attractive of all cycads and does very well in South Florida as long as it is planted in well-draining soil. It can take full sun, but takes on a deeper green with some shade. It has a subterranean trunk and seldom exceeds 8-9 feet in height (1.5 m), making it an excellent choice for the home garner.
Mulanje Cycad
Encephalartos gratus
A large, showy cycad native to Malawi and Mozambique. Trunk reaches 10 feet and bright green leaves can be 6-8 feet long. Does best with some light shade, but can take full sun in South Florida. Drought tolerant and prefers well draining top soil.
Karoo Cycad
Encephalartos lehmannii
This incredible silvery-blue cycad hails from South Africa. It is spineless and among the smallest in the genus, so you can put right up close to the walkway where everyone can admire it (it reaches 6 feet tall with a 3 foot trunk and 4 foot leaves). It thrives in full or part sun and can withstand freezes down to 20 degrees F. As with all members of the genus, it is drought tolerant and likes our alkaline South Florida soil (though it must be very well draining).
Hardy Acai Palm
Euterpe edulis
This is the more cold tolerant version of the famous acai palm (E. oleracea), able withstand temperatures of 30 degrees F and perhaps even slightly colder. It hails from the rainforests of South America and, not surprisingly, needs regular watering during South Florida’s dry Spring season. It reaches about 30 feet tall with a slender trunk and tasty black fruit similar to the acai and with similar nutritional qualities (it is often made into juice or ice cream).The leaves can also be eaten raw or cooked and the growing bud makes for premium cabbage. If you are into plants you can eat, this one is for you!
Acai Palm
Euterpe oleracea
A lovely tall, clustering palm to 60 feet that thrives along the river banks and tidal swamps of tropical South America. Of course that means it likes LOTS of water and can take being inundated for prolonged periods. It cannot take freezing temperatures however, and should be protected where the temperature drops near freezing It is famous for its tasty black fruit that are reputed to be a “superfood” and has been a staple food for the people living around the Amazon river delta for centuries. The tree is also widely cultivated for its superior cabbage and the leaves are edible as well. If you are into edible plants, live in South Florida near the coast, and can keep it irrigated, this tree is for you!
Llume Palm
Gaussia attenuata
This unique looking palm grows to nearly 60 feet tall on sparse limestone hills in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. It is an excellent choice for south Florida xeriscapes. being incredibly drought tolerant, and is able take temperatures down to 30 degrees with no damage. A truly low maintenance palm.
Maya Palm
Gaussia maya
The Maya palm is a medium sized (to 50 feet) palm from southern Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. It is quite attractive despite its sparse crown of ascending leaves and will do well in either full sun or partial shade. It is not quite as cold or drought tolerant as G. attenuata, but generally thrives in South Florida and is not fussy about soil types. It makes an attractive specimen despite its relatively sparse crown of ascending leaves. It will tolerate full sun, but looks best if situated in partial shade.
Lolipop Palm, Jumaqua Palm
Hemithrinax ekmaniana
This little treasure is one of the rarest palms on the planet, with less than 100 plants still clinging to the limestone cliffs of three small mogotes in northern Cuba. Besides being rare in the wild, it is very slow growing in cultivation and very sensitive, especially as a seedling. Not surprisingly then, it is still rather rare in cultivation and quite expensive. It is also captivatingly beautiful and well worth the money! Once established, it loves our south Florida limestone and is drought and salt tolerant. The key is to be very careful not to disturb the roots when transplanting and to site it where it gets plenty of sun and excellent drainage. With only a two-inch thick trunk and a perfectly spherical crown of dense green leaves with silvery undersides, there is nothing like this exquisite miniature palm.
Obi Nymph Palm
Hydrastele beguinnii 'Obi Island'
A stunning variation of the species with largely undivided leaves found only on Obi Island in the Maluku archipelago of Indonesia. It is a great palm for the smaller subtopical garden, doing best with regular irrigation in rich, well drained soil. It prefers shade when young, but can take considerable sun as a mature tree. It should be protected if temperatures are expected to fall below 41 F, but is reported to have been grown successfully as far north as Lake Worth.
Highlands Pink Nymph Palm
Hydrastele pinangoides 'Highland
A very attractive clustering palm from the highlands of New Guinea with thin stems, bright red fruit and wedge-shaped leaflets that are pink to reddish when they first emerge. It can reach 20 feet in height in habitat, but seldom reaches that height here. Being an understory palm from the tropics, it needs shade and does best with regular watering. It is not especially fussy about soils, being found on both volcanic and limestone substrates, and in both well-drained and water-logged soils. The 'Highland' form we carry is reputed to be more cold tolerant than its lowland cousin, but still requires protection from frost.
Red Champagne Palm
Hyophorbe indica (red form)
This is the much rarer cousin of the Bottle Palm, without the bulging trunK. It is endemic to tiny La Reunion Island (in the Mascarene archipelago east of Madagascar), where it is nearly extinct in the wild. It is one of those unknown gems, being rather uncommon in cultivation despite being fast growing and relatively easy to care for. It can take temperatures down to 28 F, tolerates short droughts once established, and does not seem particularly prone to nutrient deficiencies. Just give it a well-drained position, water during prolonged droughts, and watch it grow. It is said to reach 30 feet tall in habitat, but 20 feet is more like it here. We carry the variety from southern Reunion which is said to be more cold tolerant and, in our opinion, is the more attractive with its distinctive rusty red petioles and crown shaft. Like many palms it needs some shade when young, but can be transitioned to full sun as it matures.
Bottle Palm
Hyophorbe lagenicaulis
Everyone knows the widely planted bottle palm. It is critically endangered in its native habitat on Round Island, Mauritius, but the market is flooded with them everywhere else! I’ve stopped carrying them and this is my last one. It is over 10 feet tall, but you can have it for a paltry $100!
Spindle Palm
Hyophorbe verschaffeltii
This is the thinner cousin to the Bottle palm, from the Mascarene archipelago and Rodrigues Island. It is widely planted here in South Florida and does very well. I've stopped carrying them, but I have one nice double left!
Miraguama Palm
Kentiopsis oliviformes
A beautiful solitary palm from New Caledonia with an unusual olive green crown shaft and upright leaves. It is reputed to reach over 90’ in habitat, but tops out at about 30 feet here in South Florida. While this species was recently reclassified into the genus Chambeyronia, it looks quite different from the other members in a number of ways and many growers have elected to continue using the earlier name. It is one of the most cold tolerant New Caledonian palms, taking temperatures down to the mid 20s F. It is also moderately drought resistant once established. All in all, another great palm for South Florida.
White Elephant Palm
Kerriodoxa elegans
There is nothing that looks quite like this gem from Phukett and Khao Sok, Thailand. It is spectacularly attractive with large dark green leaves that are silvery white underneath. It is dioecious (separate male and female plants), so the seed is often not available from cultivated plants. For this reason, it still not as common in cultivation as its beauty demands. Young plants prefer full shade, while adult plants can do well even with some direct sunlight. It requires a regular source of water and protection from the wind to look its best, but is surprisingly cold tolerant and can be grown in zone 9b (taking freezing temperatures with no ill effects and even short periods down to the mid twenties if under a canopy). It reaches a maximum size of 15 - 20 ft.
Blue Latan Palm
Latania loddigessii
The Blue Latan palm is among the most ornamental of midsized fan palms (to 25’) with thick, silvery-blue leaves when mature and bright green leaves with red margins and reddish petioles when younger. It ia a great alternative to the larger Bismark palm and is similarly hardy, albeit less cold tolerant (taking temperatures down to 30 F without damage, but suffering below that). It likes a sunny, moist, and well drained position, but is moderately drought tolerant once established. It likes full sun even at a very young age. It is the easiest to grow of the Latanias, and a great choice for South Florida.
Key Thatch Palm
Leucothrinax morrisii
This pretty palm with silver undersides is native to the Florida keys and much of the Caribbean area. It can grow on the beach, in limestone, and just about any well drained soil. Not surprisingly it tolerates, drought, salt spray, and poor soils. Once established it needs very little care. It can eventually reach 30 feet tall, but it will take a LONG time to get there! A great palm for those with a taste for pretty native trees and limited space to accommodate them.
Ruffled Fan Palm
Licuala grandis
When people ask me if I have 'Licuala' palms, they almost always mean the Ruffled Fan Palm from Vanautu and the Solomon Islands. And no wonder, its glossy, pleated fronds give it a very elegant look, and at only 9 feet tall it can fit in almost any garden. It does best in moist, well-drained soils, but can still thrive in South Florida's alkaline soils with heavy mulching. It has been reported to survive temperatures just below freezing, but it is best to protect it if temperatures are likely to fall below the mid 30's. As you might expect, the broad leaves are susceptible to damage from strong winds and should be kept in a sheltered spot with at least some shade to keep the leaves looking their best (although there are some larger specimens growing in full sun at Fairchild Gardens).
Sumawong's Fan Palm
Licuala peltata sumawongii
This is the much sought-after entire-leaved form of Licuala peltata from Malaya and southern Thailand. It is moderately sized, having a short trunk, but huge undivided leaves up to 7 feet in diameter! It also happens to be one of the most cold-tolerant of the genus, surviving freezing temperatures with little or no damage. It does well in South Florida’s alkaline soils as long as the site is well drained, and even can put up with short droughts. It is of course susceptible to damage from strong winds and should be kept in a sheltered spot with at least some shade to keep the leaves looking their best.
Crook Fruit Palm
Loxococcus rupicola
This petite beauty with pinkish maroon new leaves is endemic to moist forests in the mountains of Sri Lanka at elevations between 600 and 2400 ft. It reaches about 20 feet tall in habitat, but probably will top out at considerably less than that here in South Florida. It is a moderately fast grower in tropical climates and well drained, somewhat acidic soil, but can also do well in South Florida's alkaline soil so long as it is kept moist, mulched, and in partial shade. It has been reported to take temperatures down to 35 degrees for brief periods. It is endangered in its natural habitat and also still rather rare in cultivation.
Ribbon Palm
Livistona decora
An eye-catching fan palm known from Queensland, Australia. Cold tolerant, drought tolerant and somewhat salt tolerant, it is an excellent palm for south Florida.
Vilaito Palm
Neovetchia storkii
This fantastic pam with a purplish-black crownshaft and wide, shiny leaflets is endemic to a single island (Viti Levu) in Fiji. It has a reputation for being very tropical in its requirements, but is hardier than many think. There are mature specimens seeding in Fairchild gardens, western Broward County and Loxahatchee. Mine has endured temperatures as low as 40 F with no apparent ill effects. It does prefer regular watering, but can survive weeks without water once established if the soil is not too well draining (mine is in a foot of marl overlying limestone), especially with a heavy mulch. It does well even in the alkaline soils of south Florida, although, as with most palms, it will look its best with a good quality fertilizer. Young palms require some shade, but it can be trasitioned to full sun once it reaches 10 feet or so in height (it is an emergent palm in its native habitat).
Sindro Palm
Orania trispatha
This amazing palm from madagascar is widely regarded as the ‘queen of Oranias’. It has a fantastic distichous arrangement of leaves with glaucous undersides perched on very long petioles that makes it unmistakable in the landscape. Seedlings are very beautiful too, although they do not initially have the distichous leaf arrangement. This palm is suitable for zone 10b (coastal South Florida), but needs regular watering as it grows alongside water sources in its native habitat. If you take care of it, you will have something no one else does in your neighborhood, guaranteed! Reaches 60 feet in Madagascar, but is unlikely to attain that height here.
Thief Palm, Borsig's Palm
Phoenicophorium borsigianum
This palm is simply drop-dead gorgeous. The spectacular undivided leaves start out nearly black in color with a bright orange trim and then gradually change to a deep green as the plant matures, eventually reaching nearly 7 ft long and 3 ft wide. It is also a surprisingly tough plant. In its native Seychelles (Indian Ocean) it is widespread in habitats ranging from shady wet forests to barren, dry areas. Once established it can withstand full sun and even periods of drought at a fairly young age. It does have one achilles heel however– it is a bit cold sensitive and must be protected from frost or sustained temperatures below the mid 40s F. In south Florida it does best in a slightly shaded, well drained position that is sheltered from the wind to protect the large showy leaves. Or you can keep it in a large pot on your patio. Interestingly, the English common name ‘Thief’ palm was given to it after an early specimen was stolen from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Hopefully no one will steal it from you!
Dwarf Date Palm
Phoenix acaulis
This is the smallest of the date palms, with trunks usually only a few inches high and a total height of perhaps 6 feet. It is native to northern India, Bhutan and Nepal, where it is typically grows in scrubland, savannas and in pine forests at elevations between 1000 and 5000 ft. As you might then expect, it is quite drought tolerant and cold hardy to 18 degrees F. it makes a great center peice for very small gardens and is sometimes used almost as a ground cover. The roots, heart and fruit are eaten in India.
Cliff Date Palm
Phoenix rupicola
The most graceful and tropical looking of the date palms. It has a neater appearance than other date palms as the trunk does not retain the old leaf bases as long. The recurved, bright green leaves grow to about 10 ft and the edible fruit are an attractive purplish red color. Drought resistant and cold hardy to 29 degrees F.
Silver Date Palm
Phoenix sylvestris
A very popular landscape palm that can tolerate South Florida's humid climate better than the Date palm P. dactylifera and does not grow quite so tall, topping out around 50 feet. It is drought resistant and cold hardy. The fruit, while not as tasty as the better cultivars of P. dactylifera, is used to make wine and jelly. Larger trees that have formed trunks are an exception to the rule of not having to dig around trees in pots, although they are still easier to handle than digging field grown. We give substantial discounts if you are willing to dig and load your own.
Cretan Date Palm
Phoenix theophrasti
A slow growing, clustering date palm similar in appearance to the edible Date palm (P. dactylifera), but not as tall, reaching only 40 ft. The fronds are actually more silver than those of the Silver Date (P. sylvestris) and the trunk is a bit stouter. It is salt tolerant and very drought tolerant, making it an excellent choice for sites with strong coastal exposure. Native to Crete and southwestern Turkey. Despite it's hardiness, it is still quite rare in South Florida gardens.
Phillipine Cane Palm (compact form)
Pinanga philippinensis (compact form)
The multicolored, clustering palm from the Phillipines is among the best of the genus for the subtropical landscape, and the compact variety we carry is the best of the best. Not only is it beautiful, sporting spectacular blue-green leaves with an almost metallic sheen and a gradient of colors from purple to yellow in the crownshaft and petioles, but it is also among the hardiest in the genus. It lives in a variety of habitats ranging from the lowlands to montane forests up to 7000 ft. It has been reported to take temperatures as low as 29 F and has been grown successfully even in southern California. It is generally well under 10 feet tall and makes a great understory palm that should be planted where people can appreciate it up close. As with most Pinanga secies, it does best with some shade, regular watering, and a good fertilizer.
Maroon Cane Palm
Pinanga sp. 'Maroon Crownshaft'
This beautiful clustering Pinanga with showy maroon crownshafts is still undescribed and known only from cultivation. It is proving to be a great landscape palm for South Florida and can be grown in the shade or sun (as a larger plant), although it may need protection in case of a frost.
Thai Mottled Palm
Pinanga sp. 'Thai Mottled'
A small, undescribed species of Pinanga from Southeast Asia with slender stems and pretty mottled leaves. This is an understory species that grows and looks best in the shade. Like most other Pinangas, it should do well in South Florida with a good mulch and some protection in case of a frost.
Yellow Cane Palm
Pinanga sp. 'Yellow Crownshaft'
A lovely Pinana from the Malaysian peninsula and Thailand that forms clusters of thin green canes and pretty yellow crownshafts. It is similar to, and possibly a variety of P. adangensis. It can be grown in the shade or sun (as a larger plant) and does well in zone 10a, although it may need protection in case of a frost. In South Florida’s poor soils it likes a well-mulched garden bed and regular watering. Reaches about 15 feet in height.
Loulu lelo
Pritchardia hildebrandii
This beauty is endemic to the Hawaiian Island of Molokai where today only one form of it (Huelo Blue) still survives in the wild atop two very steep islets off the north coast (where they are still safe from rats and goats). The form shown here grows to about 20 feet. P. hildebrandii is among the hardiest of the Pritchardia. It is able to take temperatures several degrees below freezing, is not fussy about soils, and is very tolerant of salt spray and drought.
Huelo Blue Palm
Pritchardia hildebrandii 'Huelo blue'
This beauty is found only the tops of the tiny islet Huelo and Mokapa located off the north coast of Molokai (where they are still safe from rats and goats). It has a bluer hue to its green leaves than other forms and does not grow as tall, but the care and culture is the same as for other varieties of P. hildebrandii. It is said that some of the more daring native Hawaiians used to climb the steep cliffs of Huelo, attach the stiff fronds of this palm to themselves like wings, and then glide to the sea over a hundred feet below!
Coppertone Palm
Pritchardia martii
The Coppertone palm is endemic to the mountainous regions of the island of Oahu in Hawaii. It is a prized in Hawaii for its large green leaves wih copper-colored undersides, and relatively short and stock stature. Most specimens top out around 12 feet, although some have been found as tall as 30 feet in the wild. It is seldom available outside the islands, so you will probably be the only person you know with one. It is easy to grow, preferring light shade to full sun, regular watering in a well drained site, and some supplemental potassium and magnesium when planted in alkaline soils. It also happens to be one of the most cold tolerant Pritchardia, taking temperatures down to 28 F (with some reporting as low as 25).
Fiji Fan Palm
Pritchardia pacifica
A graceful Pritchardia native to Tonga and possibly Fiji, Samoa, and the Marquesas, but widely cultivated in much of the tropical Pacific. Reaches nearly 50 ft tall with large, green glaucous leaves. It is very salt tolerant and does well by the sea, but must be protected if temperatures approach freezing (will do better in the ground than in pots)
Dwarf Fiji Fan Palm
Pritchardia thurstonii
This pretty palm is endemic to eastern Fiji, but has been widely planted in Hawaii and throughout the Pacific. It lives in limestone soils in its native habitat, is very salt and wind tolerant, and can take temperatures a degree or two below freezing, making it well suited to coastal South Florida. It looks similar to P. pacifica, but is not as tall (reaching 25 feet) and has inflorescences that droop far below the leaves (as opposed to nestled within the leaves).
Puerto Rican Royal Palm
Roystonea borinquena
This is the slightly smaller cousin of the Florida Royal Palm, reaching about 50 feet tall, but perhaps even more lovely with its light tan trunk. These seeds came from a wild population near El Yunque, but it is extensively planted as an ornamental in Puerto Rico owing to its tolerance of air pollution, ability to grow in a variety of soil types, and roots that do not damage sidewalks. It is great alternative for those who don't want the bigger Royals with their very heavy branches.
Hispaniola Palm
Sabal domingensis
This majestic palm is the super-sized version of Florida's native cabbage palmetto. It reaches over 60 feet tall with a massive trunk in excess of 2 ft across. You would be surprized how many people have mistaken the one in the photo for a young Corypha! It is is a great palm for South and Central Florida as long as it is not kept in soggy soil. It tolerates droughts well and takes temperatures below 20 degrees F without the fungal diseases that often strike other palms after a hard freeze. It comes from northwest Haiti and central Dominican Republic, and is also found in Cuba, where it forms a species complex with S. maritima and S. causarium (each 'species' being distinguished mostly on the basis of fruit size and shape).
Savannah Fan Palm
Sabal mauritiiformis
In my opinion this is hands down the most beautiful Sabal species. The leaves are bright green on top, with whitish to pale blue undersides, and the leaf bases retain their green color for years after they are cut. It likes plenty of water, but is still moderately drought tolerant once established, and is cold tolerant to 27 degrees F. Interestingly, it actually looks best with some shade, although it does well in full sun. The Savannah palm is broadly distributed from Mexico to Northern South America and reaches up to 60 feet tall in its native habitat. I have one at my house. You should too!
Florida Thatch Palm
Thrinax radiata
A graceful fan palm native to South Florida, the West Inbdies, Mexico and Central America. It is easy to grow and not picky about soils. It bears long stalks of white flowers followed by white bead-like fruits that are attractive to birds. A great palm for those who want to keep it 'native'.
Satake Palm
Satakentia liukiuensis
This gorgeous palm with the purplish crownshaft rivals Carpoxylon macrospermum as one of my favorites. It hails from the Ryuku Islands in Japan and is well adapted to the climate and soils in South Florida. It has also proven quite wind resistant and can take temperatures down to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. It reaches up to 60 feet in habitat, but takes many years to approach that height here and will fit into most home garden landscapes. See http://www.palmbeachpalmcycadsociety.com/palms/documents/SatakentiaLiukiuensis.pdf
Quarter Coconut Palm
Syagrus kellyana
The Quarter Coconut is relatively new species described in 2010 from the Atlantic Forest of Minas Gerais, Brazil (although some argue that it is just a form of S. picophylla, but with sweeter and more suculent fruit). It and a rounded crown of beautifully arching, slightly plumose leaves. The large seeds are similar to those of Parajubaea cocoides. It is nearly as hardy as the common Queen palm, but stouter, not quite as tall (to 25 feet), and prettier.
Colombian Foxtail Palm
Syagrus sancona
The Columbian Foxtail from western South America is arguably the most beautiful in the genus and is widely planted as an ornamental within its home range. It can reach nearly 100 feet tall in habitat, although it is not likely to reach this height in South Florida. It just as easy to grow as the common Queen Palm (and much prettier), thriving in a wide variety of conditions. Established plants are drought resistant and can take temperatures into the high twenties.
Montgomery Palm
Veitchia arecina
A fast-growing solitary palm with lovely arching leaves and a whitish crownshaft from the Pacific Islands of Fiji, Tonga and Vanautu. It can reach about upt to 90 feet tall in habitat, but seldom reaches such hieghts here. It does well in South Florida with regular watering in a well drained position. It needs protection when temperatures fall below freezing.
Seychelles Stilt Palm
Verschaffeltia splendida
A gorgeous palm from the Seychelle Islands with paddle-shapped leaves and unique stilt-like roots. It is easy to grow, but requires cosistently moist soil and protection when temperatures dip into the mid 30s F (3 gallon size plants should be protected even in the low 40s). It is reported to do well indoors and would make a great plant for taller spaces. It can grow up to 80' in its native habitat on mountain slopes, but it is unlikely to exceed 30' here in South Florida (and that after many years). See http://www.palmbeachpalmcycadsociety.com/palms/documents/VerschaffeltiaSplendida.pdf
Actopan Coontie
Zamia inermis
This pretty cycad hails from the Actopan region of central Veracruz, Mexico, where it has declined to only 300 plants clinging to rocky outcrops in an area less than 2 square miles. Worse than that, it also seems to have lost its natural pollinators and seldom reproduces in the wild. Not surprisingly, it is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Despite its rarity, it is an incredibly hardy plant and one of the easiest of all cycads to grow. It thrives in sun or shade, takes temperatures well below freezing, and requires no irrigation or soil amendments. It also doesn't seem to suffer mealy bug or scale problems like our native coontie does. Just put it in a well-drained site and watch it flourish.
Variegated Zamia
Zamia picta
This is the only naturally variegated Zamia. It has a predominantly subterranean stem, but 3 to 6 foot bright greem leaves containing yellow flecks and streaks. On some plants these markings are more prominent than others. It is native to Mexico and Central America and is well adapted to South Florida. It seems to grow just about anywhere in the yard and when it matures you will likely find seedlings popping up here and there.
Coontie
Zamia pumila
The Coontie is Florida’s only native cycad and one of the easiest to grow. It's leaves are the sole larval food for the rare Atala butterfly. Coontie was an important source of flour for Native Americans (after considerable preparation to leech out deadly toxin), and became a commercial product for nearly a century until populations were too depleted to be profitable. It is cold hardy to 15 degrees F, very drought tolerant, and generally pest resistant (although it can be susceptible to scale).