Dwarf small palm trees – People usually think of palm trees as beach or desert trees that grow in places like Los Angeles, Miami, and Las Vegas. People may not think much about palm trees, but there are more than 2,600 different kinds. They come in many shapes and sizes, and you can even grow them in your own backyard.
Yes, there are many different small palm trees that are the right size for your garden or other outdoor spaces. The smallest palm tree is about 3 feet tall, so if you don’t have a lot of room, they can be a great choice. Palm trees are also known for their big, green leaves that stay green all year. This is great if you want to make your backyard more private.
Also, the Eat Happy Project says that palms can be recognized by their two types of leaves: Pinnate (leaves that look like feathers) and Palmate (fan-like leaves). Before you buy or grow a palm, you should know which type you like best so that you end up with something you like.
Lastly, there are a few things you should think about before choosing a palm dwarf trees from the list below. Even though the needs of each species are different, most palm trees need a lot of light but not direct sunlight. This is important to keep in mind when deciding where to plant them. Also, make sure it has room to grow and is well fed and watered.
The Best Dwarf Small Palm Trees
- Pygmy date palms
The pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii) is easy for new gardeners to take care of. It grows between 6 and 10 feet tall and has feather-like leaves that are usually about 4 feet long. This species can be grown indoors or outdoors, but Gardening Know How says that because it comes from Asia (specifically southern China), it does best in temperatures that don’t drop below 30 degrees Fahrenheit (although it can maybe handle it if mature enough). It gets its name from the yellow flowers it grows, which are followed by purple dates.
- Bottle palms
The bottle palm (Hyophorbe lagenicaulis), which gets its name from the shape of its trunk, can be a great conversation starter. South Florida Plant Guide says that most bottle palms grow to be 5 to 7 feet tall, but after a few years, they can grow to be 10 feet tall. This is because they grow very slowly. Even though bottle palms can handle drought, they don’t do well in cold weather. This is why you usually find these small palms in warmer places. They don’t like to be too wet, so the best place to plant them is where the soil drains well.
- Sago palms
The sago palm (Cycas revolute) will grow to be between 3 and 10 feet tall and wide on average, but this could take up to 50 years. It doesn’t have flowers like the others on this list, but its green, feather-like leaves grow in a symmetrical way and are pretty to look at. This low-growing palm is native to Asia and does best in a warm, well-lit place. Direct sunlight can hurt it. This palm can handle drought and needs soil that drains well, so it’s important not to overwater it.
- Spindle palms
The spindle palm (Hyophorbe verschaffeltii) comes from the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean. It grows in tropical and semitropical places like California, Florida, and Hawaii. The size of these dwarf palm trees will change depending on whether they are grown outside or inside. This palm can grow up to 25 feet tall outside in the right conditions, but it’s unlikely to get taller than 6 feet inside. Plant Care Today says that it gets its name from the spindle-shaped bulge in the middle of its light gray trunk.
- Parlor palms
The parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) has stems that look like bamboo and can grow to be 10 to 12 feet tall. This small palm tree comes from subtropical and tropical places, and it does best in medium to bright indirect sunlight.
The Sill says that as a general rule, if the temperature is good for you, it’s good for the parlor palm, too. It should be watered once or twice a week, and its pot should be changed every two to three months. One thing you should know is that this type of small palm does produce fruit, but it’s not edible at all.
- Pindo palms
The pindo palm (Butia capitate) grows berries that can be eaten or made into a jelly that tastes like banana and pineapple. Planting Tree says that this type of small palm tree, which is also called the jelly palm, does well in full sun and can handle droughts well. It grows best along the coast, so that’s where you’ll find it and where you should keep it. When it comes to growth, this feather-leaf palm can reach a height of up to 20 feet and is usually at least 15 feet tall.