Have you ever driven around Florida looking at the different types of palm trees and wondering what they are? I have, and after a little bit of research into the palm trees that can be found in the state, I discovered that they are quite a few large ones that differ quite a bit.
A large palm tree is one that is taller than 20 feet, so let’s take a look at some of them.
1. Alexander Palm Tree (Ptychosperma elegans)
This is a single trunk palm that has a long trunk and a relatively small head of fronds. This is a self-cleaning palm, so it is quite common. It can grow to be 25 feet tall, and it prefers to grow in full-sun condition.
2. Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis)
This is a large palm that will look great in a formal space. When it is growing, the trunk looks almost like a pineapple, and ferns are coming out of it. At maturity, this palm can be up to 40 feet tall. This is a drought-tolerant plant that often suffers from potassium deficiency.
3. Chinese Fan Palm (Livistona chinensis)
This palm has very slender stems that will make it look like a fane when fully grown. Because of this, the plant is very resistant to wind, so it is a perfect option to grow in Florida. It can quickly grow to be 40 feet tall with a lot of sunlight.
4. Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera)
This palm is one of the larger ones that you will see in Florida. It can easily grow to be more than 80 feet tall, and the fronds can be up to 20 feet. These are known for producing coconuts. They require full sun and moderate water to grow.
5. Fishtail Palm (Caryota mitis)
This is a clustering type of palm tree that can easily grow to be at least 24 feet in height. The trunk produces flowers, and when the flowers die, they will need to be removed. They do well in partial to full sun and a warm, humid climate.
6. Foxtail Palm (Wodyetia bifurcata)
This is a tall palm that can grow to be 25 feet or more. It will thrive in full sun and temperatures that are over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. With this type of environment, the growth speeds up quite a bit.
7. Latania Palm (Latania spp.)
These palm trees have silver foliage that resembles that of a Bismarck palm. This tree can grow to be 30 feet in height, and the fan-shaped fronds can span a distance of 15 feet across. It’s a salt-tolerant palm that prefers full sun, which makes it an excellent option for the beach.
8. Paurotis Palm (Acoelorrhaphe wrightii)
This is a gorgeous fanning palm that can reach up to 30 feet in height. It has fan-shaped fronds that can grow to be three feet wide as well. It can tolerate sandy soil and sprays of salt, which makes it the perfect plant for a private beach.
9. Piccabeen Palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana)
The long sweeping fronds of this plant make it tolerant of the wind. It can be up to 30 feet tall at maturity, and this palm is moderately cold-tolerant. It grows in full sun or partial shade, and even though it is drought-tolerant, it needs regular watering.
10. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
When a ponytail palm is grown outdoors, it can easily reach a height of 20 feet or more. It will grow best in bright, direct light. During the growing season, it will need to be watered once a week, and they prefer temperatures that are over 60 degrees.
11. Queen Palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana)
This is a ubiquitous palm in California, but it can also be seen growing in southern Florida. It is a fast-growing palm that only has one trunk. This plant prefers well-drained soil and full-sun conditions to grow.
12. Ribbon Fan Palm (Livistona decipiens)
This palm has a single trunk that is upright and straight. It can easily grow to be 30 feet tall or more with the right care. It will do best with well-drained soil and full sun. This is also a salt-tolerant and cold tolerant plant.
13. Royal Palm (Roystonea regia)
A royal palm is a plant that has feather-like fronds. It has a single trunk that can be quite extensive, especially since this palm can grow to be up to 80 feet tall. They need full sun to thrive, and they need regular water to reach mature height.
14. Silver Bismarck Palm (Bismarckia nobilis)
A silver Bismarck palm is a variety that can grow to be 40 feet tall. It has a single trunk, and it likes to have moderately wet soil. The soil also needs to be well-draining, and the palm will do best with full sun.
15. Sylvester Palm (Phoenix sylvestris)
This palm is one that is very low maintenance. It can grow to be 40 feet tall with a trunk that has diamond cuts that are quite attractive. It can grow in sunny conditions as well as in the shade. In addition, the soil needs to be well-draining.
