Best Backyard Palm Trees – Varieties to Grow In Yards Outdoor


Consider the space you have along with the weather conditions, and soil that prevails in your area to choose the right palm variety for your backyard.

Best Backyard Palm Trees

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Add some tropical vibe and change the appearance of your home with palm trees. Palms elicit tropical beauty in the place naturally. With their feather-like fronds, exotic structure and strong dark trunk, palm trees stand out from other plants. No wonder they are extremely popular as decorative plants.

 

If you are looking for some varieties to plant in your backyard, you can consider planting palm trees like Areca palm, windmill palm, Pygmy date palm, queen palm, king palm, etc.

 

To be honest there are around 3000 species of palm trees. Some are tall like skyscrapers, others are short, some need extra care, and a few others are low-maintenance.

 

Before selecting the best palm trees for backyard, you should consider the amount of time you can afford for its care and a few other things like its height, size of your property, climate, type of soil, nearby trees, etc.

 

Also, consider whether it would be grown in the ground or a pot, as this can affect its care and maintenance. The care regime is essential to ensure that your palm tree stays healthy and looks its best.

In addition to their beauty, palm trees can also provide practical benefits. They can provide shade and privacy, and can even help to reduce noise levels. With their tropical appeal and versatility, palm trees are a great choice for any backyard landscape.
 

Is A Palm Tree Good for The Backyard?

Palms are a great choice for any backyard if you live in a region with a climate that is suitable for palm trees and if you have the space to accommodate a palm tree’s size and root system.

 

Besides adding a tropical touch to your outdoor space, palm trees also provide shade. However, it’s important to choose backyard palms that are well-suited to your local climate and soil conditions.

 

Some palms are better suited to certain climates and soil types than others, so it’s important to do your research before selecting a palm tree for your backyard.

 

In addition, it’s important to consider the size of your backyard and choose a palm tree that will not outgrow its space. Those of you who want to add tropical beauty to your home can go for palm trees. There are several varieties that you can choose from.

 

Best Palm Trees for Backyard

Choosing a palm tree for your backyard can be a tedious task. So, to help you with the decision-making, we have compiled a list of palm trees suited for backyards. This list is the result of thorough research and discussions with experts in gardening.

 

A. Chinese Fan Palm

Chinese Fan Palm

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Scientific name Livistona chinensis
Size Up to 50 feet
Maintenance (High/Low) Low-maintenance
Sunlight Requirement At least six to eight hours of direct sunlight

 
Chinese Fan Palm is a popular type of fan palm. It is a drought-tolerant plant well-suited for a wide variety of soil types, making it ideal for drought-stricken regions or landscaping in warm, dry climates.
 
It is a species of palm tree native to China, Taiwan, and Vietnam and is the most preferred backyard palms. A popular ornamental plant, Chinese Fan is known for its large, fan-shaped leaves and graceful, upright growth habit.
 
The leaves are bright green and have a glossy appearance and can grow up to 5 feet in diameter and form a dense canopy on a single trunk. The trunk of Chinese Fan is wider at the base and is brown to grey in color.
 
The tree can reach heights of up to 50 feet in its natural habitat with a canopy spread of about 20 feet. Usually, it is seen at heights of 15 to 25 feet. It forms long tap roots. Some irrigation will ensure rapid growth.
 
It is often used in gardens, parks, and other public spaces as a shade tree or as an accent plant. Smaller plants can be placed in containers or patios or small gardens.
 

B. Areca Palm

Areca Palm

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Scientific name Dypsis lutescens
Size 25 to 30 feet
Maintenance (High/Low) Low-maintenance
Sunlight Requirement Bright, indirect sunlight

 

Areca palms are tropical palm trees that are native to Australia, Madagascar and tropical India, the Philippines, Malaysia, Southern China, and the Solomon Islands.

 

They are quite popular as backyard palm trees in warm climates and are often grown as houseplants in cooler climates. They make for excellent wind, sound and privacy screens. These plants prefer humid regions.

 

Areca palm varieties are known for their attractive, feathery fronds and slender, upright growth habit. The leaves are green with yellow, gold or silver leaflets and stems. When you see them from a distance, you will feel as if these palms look gold in color. The fronds are up to 6 feet long.

 

At the base of the leaf stems, you can see dark spots. The palm trees with crown shafts are self-cleaning as the aging leaves fall off on their own. You can see brown tips on these plants after hot, dry and cold weather. Pruning it will make them look neater.

 

These are low-maintenance plants and are easy to care for. They can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions. Areca palms generally require bright, indirect light and should be protected from the intense midday sun.

 

They prefer well-draining soil and should be watered regularly to keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Areca palms are also relatively drought-tolerant and can tolerate brief periods of dryness.

 

C. Windmill Palm

Windmill Palm

Nataly Hanin/istockphoto

 

Scientific name Trachycarpus fortunei
Size 20 to 40 feet
Maintenance (High/Low) Low-maintenance
Sunlight Requirement Partial shade, two to four hours of direct sunlight per day

 
Windmill palm is a species of palm tree that is native to Central and Eastern China. It is a popular ornamental plant known for its hardiness and ability to tolerate cold temperatures. The windmill palm has a stout and slim trunk with hairy black sword-like fronds that are held upright on long petioles.
 
The leaves are green and yellow-green with silver-green on their underside. It is a slow-growing tree that can reach heights of up to 40 feet but is usually smaller in cultivation.
 
The windmill palm is relatively easy to care for and can tolerate a range of soil types, making it well-suited for use in landscaping as a patio tree or pot, either indoors or outdoors.
 

D. Queen Palm

Queen Palm

samuel howell/istockphoto

 

Scientific name Syagrus romanzoffiana
Size 50 feet or more
Maintenance (High/Low) Low-maintenance
Sunlight Requirement Prefers full sun, but still thrives well in  partial shade

 
Native to Brazil and South America, Queen Palm is one of the most popular and beautiful palms that can provide a vertical effect in large residential properties.
 
A fast-growing Queen palm plant can reach up to 50 feet with a smooth and straight trunk. They have graceful, glossy, plume-like fronds.
 
Queen Palms are known for their ornamental value and their ability to provide shade as backyard palm trees. Though they have orange-red fruits that can get messy when they drop, they are relatively low-maintenance trees.
 
Because of their fruit droppings, you should avoid planting them near a patio, path or pool. These palm trees can tolerate a wide range of soil types; the only requirement being the soil should be well-draining.
 
Queen palms are drought-tolerant and can survive with minimal irrigation, but they do benefit from regular watering during dry spells. They are also resistant to most pests and diseases.
 
However, queen palms can be susceptible to lethal yellowing, a disease that can cause the fronds to turn yellow and the tree to eventually die. If you live in an area where lethal yellowing is a problem, it may be best to go for a different palm species.

 

E. Pygmy Date Palm

Pygmy Date Palm

Hari Sucahyo/istockphoto

 

Scientific name Phoenix roebelenii
Size 6.5 feet
Maintenance (High/Low) Low-maintenance
Sunlight Requirement Prefers full sun

 
The pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii) is a small, slow-growing palm tree native to Southeast Asia. If you are looking for a palm that will provide color and texture to your yard throughout the year, then this is one of the best backyard palm trees.
 
They are well-suited for areas where large trees are not an option. Considering the growth rate of pygmy palm, it is a popular landscape plant often grown in containers or as an indoor plant.
 
Pygmy has a slender and single trunk typically 2-6 inches in diameter and a crown of graceful, feathery fronds that can reach up to 6-10 feet in length. The trunks are rough to the touch and also harsh in appearance.
 
To mitigate that feature, the tree grows airy, light, and soft fronds. The fronds are dark green and are divided into numerous narrow, pointed segments. The tree produces small, yellow flowers that are followed by small, orange-brown fruits.
 
Pygmy chooses relatively hot weather to thrive and is a low-maintenance tree. It prefers well-draining soil and does best in full sun or partial shade. It is relatively cold-hardy and can tolerate temperatures up to about 30°F but may be damaged by extended cold spells.

 

F. Mediterranean Palm

Mediterranean Palm

helen89/istockphoto

 

Scientific name Chamaerops humilis
Size 20 feet
Maintenance (High/Low) Low-maintenance
Sunlight Requirement Full to partial sun

 
The Mediterranean fan palm is a small slow growing palm. It is cold-hardy palm tree native to the Mediterranean region. It is often used in landscaping and gardens because of its low-maintenance quality.
 
The Mediterranean fan palm has a single trunk covered with leaf scars that form a rough texture. The trunk is typically about 1-3 feet in diameter and a crown of fan-shaped leaves that can grow up to 3-6 feet in diameter.
 
The stems have sharp teeth. The triangular-shaped leaves are grey-green to blue-green and are divided into numerous narrow, pointed segments. The tree produces small yellow flowers that are followed by small, black fruits.
 
The Mediterranean fan palm is a hardy plant that can tolerate drought and a wide range of soil types. These palm trees are well-suited to container cultivation and can be grown indoors in bright, indirect light.
 
As compared to other palm species, the fruit and flowers aren’t as showy.
 

Things To Consider Before Choosing The Best Palms For Backyard

If you are planning to choose a palm tree for your backyard, there are a few factors that you should consider like the space you have, soil type, weather conditions, etc.
 

  1. The soil is one of the most important factors for growing a healthy palm. Palms have specific soil requirements, so be sure to choose a palm that is well-suited to the soil in your yard.
    If necessary, you may need to amend the soil to make it more suitable for the palm. Many specially formulated fertilizers can address specific conditions and can strengthen the soil.
  2. The next factor is climate. Make sure the palm tree is well-suited to the climate in your area. Some palms are more cold-tolerant than others, so be sure to choose a palm that will be able to withstand the lowest temperatures in your region.
  3. Another important factor is space. Consider how much space you have available for the palm tree. Some palms can grow quite large and can reach up to 50 feet, overpowering other trees in your yard or interfering with overhead lines and underground conduits.
    So, make sure you have enough room for the tree to grow to its full size.
  4. The fourth factor is sun exposure. Most palms need plenty of sunlight to thrive, but some prefer shady conditions. You need to keep all of these in mind before considering the type of palm tree.
  5. Watering needs are the fifth factor. Palms have varying watering needs, so be sure to choose a palm that is well-suited to the amount of water available in your area.
  6. The backyard palm trees need maintenance. Consider how much time and effort you are willing to put into maintaining the palm tree. Some palms require more care and maintenance than others.

 

Backyard Palm Tree Ideas and Common Doubts

Q. Which are the most low-maintenance outdoor palm trees?

Ans. There are several varieties of palm trees known for being low-maintenance such as areca palm, canary island date palm, sago palm, pygmy date palm and windmill palm.

 

Q. What are the best palms for small landscaping?

Ans. Several types of palms are best suited for small landscaping projects including Pygmy date palm, sago palm, areca palm, bottle palm and parlor palm.

 

Q. Can you keep potted palms in your backyard?

Ans. Yes, it is possible to keep potted palms in your backyard. Potted palms can be a great choice for those who want to add a tropical touch to their outdoor space but don’t have room for a large, in-ground palm tree.
 
When selecting a potted palm, it’s important to choose a container that is large enough to support the palm’s root system and that has drainage holes to prevent excess water from accumulating.
 
It’s also important to choose a palm that is well-suited to your local climate and soil conditions. Be sure to place the potted palm in a location that receives adequate sunlight and water it regularly to keep the soil moist.
 
Potted palms will generally require more frequent watering than in-ground palms because the soil in pots tends to dry out more quickly.