Best Cold Hardy Palm Trees for NW Florida
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The state of Florida has been dubbed “The Land of Sunshine,” but that moniker isn’t true for all of the state. The panhandle, in the northwest part of the state, has been known to have freezing temperatures, even snow in some years, and is one of the hardest hit areas when hurricanes come calling.
Consequently, palm trees in northwest Florida have to endure a variety of weather conditions in order to survive.
Cold Hardy Palm Trees for Northwest Florida
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Hardiness Zones | Mature Height |
|---|---|---|---|
Needle Palm | Rhapidophyllum hystrix | 5b-11 | 8 feet tall and wide |
Sabal Palm | Sabal palmetto | 7a-11 | Over 80 feet tall |
Windmill Palm | Trachycarpus fortunei | 7b-11 | Up to 20 feet tall |
Pindo Palm | Butia capitata | 7b-11 | Around 15-20 feet tall |
Bismarck Palm | Bismarckia nobilis | 8b-11 | Around 30-60 feet tall |
Which Palm Trees Are Best Suited to Northwest Florida?
Cold hardy palm trees can survive a deep freeze, such as those found in USDA hardiness zones 8b-9a. Palm trees suited to the southern part of the state suffer during the winter, especially when the temperatures reach the freezing point. Native Florida palm trees found on the panhandle have the best survival rates, including the sabal palm (Sabal palmetto) and needle palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix).
If you’re beginning your landscaping adventure in NW Florida and want one or two palm trees in your yard, choosing cold hardy palm trees is your best option.
Also, consider the space you have to devote to the tree and purchase accordingly. Local growers know what survives best in the climate and the panhandle soil conditions, and are your best advisors.
Needle Palm: Hardiest of Cold Hardy Palm Trees
The needle palm is considered the most cold hardy of the cold hardy palms. It can endure temperatures as low as -10°F.
However, a new needle palm is more delicate and must be more mature to survive super cold temperatures. It is slow-growing, but at maturity can reach 8 feet tall and wide.
Versatile when it comes to sunshine, it grows well in both high sun and partial shade and in soils that range from wet to dry. The needle palm thrives best in USDA hardiness zones 5b-11.
Warning
The needle palm is considered endangered in the wild. Buy only from reputable landscaping companies that grow their needle palms on site.
Sabal Palm: Almost the Hardiest but not Quite
The Florida state tree, the sabal palm (Sabal palmetto), endures temperatures down to -5°F, which is why it replaced the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) as the official state tree, since that was found only in South Florida.
Known to thrive in hardiness zones 7a-11, the sabal is slow growing and prefers marshes, river banks and sand dunes, being found within 12 miles of the coast. Also known as the cabbage palm, the tree requires little maintenance, but trimming the dead fronds frequently helps deter rodents.
In addition to growing to over 80 feet, they’re also resistant to fire, flood and hurricane damage, making them an ideal palm tree for Florida.
Windmill Palm: A More Cold Hardy Palm Tree
The windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) seems wrapped in its own fur coat. Its fan-shaped fronds are perched atop its furry trunk and can reach 3 feet in length.
The palm can tolerate temperatures down to 5°F and is often found speckled with snowflakes in the coldest of hardiness zones 7b-11. It is slow growing and can reach up to 20 feet in height.
It needs constant attention when it comes to watering and only tolerates a few days between waterings during its first year, although it's fairly drought tolerant once mature. While Florida is mountain and hill-free, the windmill palm grows in high altitudes as well as flat terrain.
Tip
The windmill palm produces fruit on both male and female trees and, once it falls, lawns become messy in the autumn.
Pindo Palm: Here, There and Everywhere Palm
The pindo palm tree (Butia capitata) has fronds that go in every direction. Low to the ground, it endures low temperatures ranging from 5-10°F and is ideal in hardiness zones 7b-11.
A moderate grower, the pindo palm prefers sun and isn’t fussy regarding its soil type. It likes it hot and windy. Its fruit is edible as a jelly but can be messy on lawns and sidewalks.
Pindo palms are slow growing to a height of 15 to 20 feet and require maintenance to keep their appearance from being scraggly.
Bismarck Palm: A Wider-Than-Tall Palm That Withstands Severe Winds
Unlike its tall, frond-topped cousins, the Bismarck palm (Bismarckia nobilis) sports silvery fronds and grows wider than it is tall. When mature, it tolerates temperatures from 15-20°F and is ideal for hardiness zones 8b-11.
Severe breezes that blow in with gales and hurricanes don’t threaten the Bismarck, and a hot spell is often welcomed.
It can grow to 30 to 60 feet in height and spread out 12 to 16 feet. Stubby and round at its base, the fan of silver-green fronds can reach 4 feet in length, and is adaptable to a variety of soils. Just don’t let the roots get too wet.
Tip
The green variety of the Bismarck is more cold sensitive than is the silver-gray variety and can be damaged at 32°F. The silver-gray variety tolerates temperatures down to 27°F.
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Writer Bio
Jann enjoys learning about and growing little gardens on her patio. When she walks in the morning, her phone app connects her to unfamiliar flora. Unusual specimens, such as yellow watermelon and pink pineapple fascinate her and are the next inhabitants of her planter boxes.
