Large Palms for Instant Impact

How to choose from the large palms here

Start with form. Single trunk palms read as architecture: the Foxtail Palm (Wodyetia bifurcata), a Queensland native, carries plume-like fronds to about 10m, and the Alexander Palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) reaches similar height quickly. Clumping palms do a different job: Golden Cane (Dypsis lutescens) builds a 6m thicket of stems that screens a fence line like a hedge.

Then weigh speed against patience. Fast growers such as Foxtail and Alexander make up size quickly, so a mid-sized pot catches up within a few seasons. Slow palms are the ones worth buying big: a Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana) takes 10 to 15 years to reach 5m or 6m, so an advanced one hands you a decade of growth.

Matching a palm to your climate

In tropical and subtropical gardens almost everything here thrives, including strictly frost free showpieces like the Bottle Palm. In warm temperate gardens around Sydney and Perth, Bangalow, Kentia and the Dwarf Date Palm all perform, and Golden Cane succeeds in a frost free sheltered spot. In cooler southern gardens the European Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis) is the safe choice: frost hardy, drought tolerant and slow to about 3m. On the coast, Foxtail, Kentia and Golden Cane all handle salt and wind.

Planting and spacing that actually works

Palm roots are fibrous rather than woody, so most here sit safely near pools and paving. Space Golden Cane and Bangalow at 1.5m for a dense screen, and Alexander at 2m for a grove effect. Give the Bismarck Palm room: its silver crown spreads to 6m, so keep it at least 3m off paths and buildings. Site the Dwarf Date Palm away from walkways, as each frond base carries sharp spines, and keep Alexanders clear of pool edges; they drop heavy fronds and seed.

Getting an advanced palm established

Dig the hole twice the width of the rootball and no deeper, plant at the original soil level, and water in heavily. Water deeply two or three times a week through the first summer, then taper off. Feed with controlled release fertiliser in spring and midsummer, and remove only fully brown fronds; stripping green ones starves the palm. Our palm varieties guide covers the main types in more detail.

Common questions

Which large palm gives the fastest result?

Foxtail and Alexander Palms are the quickest single trunk options, and Golden Cane is the fastest screen. Advanced stock skips the slow early years entirely.

Will palm roots damage pipes, pools or paving?

Palms have fibrous root systems rather than thick woody roots, so they rarely lift paving or crack pipes. Foxtail, Kentia and Bottle Palms are all flagged non-invasive and widely planted beside pools.

Can I keep a large palm in a pot?

Yes, with a slow or compact species. Kentia, European Fan, Bottle and Dwarf Date Palms all live for years in a 60cm to 80cm container with good drainage.

What is the best palm for a cold climate?

The European Fan Palm is the standout, handling frost, heat and drought in cool temperate gardens. Kentia and Bangalow tolerate light frost once established, but young plants need winter protection.

How does delivery work for a big palm?

Everything here is delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every palm carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Browse the full palm tree range for smaller and indoor options, or the tropical plant collection for underplanting.