Palm Trees

Match the palm to the job

For a feature, the Foxtail Palm (Wodyetia bifurcata) is the one most Australians picture: a smooth grey trunk to about 10m with full, bottlebrush shaped fronds, and it grows quickly. For screening, Golden Cane and Bangalow palms both close into a lush wall planted 1.5m apart. In pots, on balconies or indoors, the slow growing Kentia Palm and the shade loving Lady Palm are the two proven performers. Small gardens are better served by the 2.5m Dwarf Date Palm, the 3m Bottle Palm or the multi trunked European Fan Palm, none of which will ever loom over the house. If nothing under 4m feels generous enough, our large palms for instant impact are exactly that.

Palm trees for your climate

In the true tropics around Cairns and Darwin everything here thrives, including the strictly tropical Lipstick Palm. Subtropical gardens from Brisbane to northern New South Wales suit nearly all of the rest. Warm temperate gardens around Sydney and Perth still suit Foxtail, Bangalow, Alexander, Golden Cane and Kentia palms. Further south the honest shortlist gets brief: the European Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis) is fully frost hardy into cool temperate areas, while Kentia and Lady palms take light frost only. Most other palms are frost tender, so in cold districts grow them in pots and move them under cover for winter.

Planting and spacing

Palms have fibrous, non invasive root systems, which is why they appear so often beside pools and paving where broadleaf trees cannot go. Plant into free draining soil with the crown sitting at its original level, never deeper.

• Screen: Golden Cane or Bangalow at 1.5m apart.
• Grove effect: Alexander Palms at 2m apart in a staggered cluster.
• Feature: keep tall single trunk palms a couple of metres off paths and pool edges, since heavy spent fronds and seed drop from height.
• Pots: Kentia, Lady Palm and Dwarf Date all live happily for years in a large container.

Care basics

Water deeply two or three times a week through the first summer, then ease back. Mulch generously, feed in spring and midsummer with a controlled release fertiliser, and resist trimming green fronds: a palm feeds itself through them, and removing more than the dead ones weakens it. Protect young frost tender palms with fleece for their first couple of winters in marginal areas.

Common questions

Are palm tree roots invasive?

No. Palms grow a dense mass of fibrous roots rather than thick woody ones, so they rarely trouble pipes, pools or paving.

Which palms grow well indoors?

Kentia and Lady palms are the classics, both slow, shade tolerant and forgiving. Cascade Palm suits lower light corners too. Give them bright indirect light and let the pot drain fully.

Is the Sago Palm a true palm?

No, it is a cycad, an ancient plant that predates palms entirely. It is also toxic to dogs and cats, so site it away from pets or choose a true palm instead.

How fast will a palm reach full height?

It varies enormously. An Alexander Palm can reach about 10m within 10 to 15 years and the Foxtail is similarly quick, while a Kentia may take that long to reach 5m. Slow palms cost more at the same height for exactly that reason. Our palm varieties guide compares the common choices.

How are tall palms delivered?

Everything here is delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and no minimum order. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every palm carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.