- Challenges of Planting Palm Trees in Houston<\/a><\/li>
- How to Landscape With Palm Trees in Houston<\/a><\/li>
- Best Palm Trees for Houston, Texas<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ about Landscaping with Palm Trees in Houston<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Challenges of Planting Palm Trees in Houston<\/strong><\/h2>
Planting palm trees in southeast Texas can be a struggle for two reasons: the climate and the soil.<\/p>
Houston is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a<\/a>, which means temperatures can drop to around 20 degrees in the winter. That\u2019s simply too cold for most palm trees to survive. You have options, though. There are several cold-hardy species of palms<\/a> that grow well in the Houston area.<\/p>
![\"USDA](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Usda-Hardiness-Zones-Outline-Map-2-1.jpg\")
<\/figure> Aside from cold winters, southeast Texas also has a lot of clay soil, which retains water. Palms prefer sandy soil that drains quickly. Planting palm trees<\/a> in unaugmented clay soil can drown their roots and quickly kill them. If you have heavy clay soil in your yard, you\u2019ll want to add sand for these tropical plants.<\/p>
Despite the obstacles, palm trees can thrive in Houston. In fact, Texas has two native palm trees that grow in the wild, the Mexican palmetto (Sabal mexicana<\/em>) <\/em>and the dwarf palmetto (Sabal minor<\/em>).<\/p>
If palms can grow in the Texan wilderness, they can grow in your yard, too. Here are five ideas on how to enhance your landscape with palm trees.<\/p>
How to Landscape With Palm Trees in Houston<\/h2>
1. Plant Drought-Tolerant Palms Beside Succulents<\/h3>
![\"agave](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/51569469572_ef86dcbfd4_k-1-646x485.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Renee Grayson<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Succulents are a staple of Southwestern gardening. They love full sun, and they\u2019re drought-tolerant, making them perfect for Houston\u2019s climate. Some palm trees are the same way.<\/p>
Planting drought-tolerant palm trees and succulents<\/a> together in your landscape creates an incredibly low-maintenance garden that\u2019s visually stunning. The hard spines of succulents contrast the feathery texture of palm fronds.<\/p>
With this landscape design, your yard will still be unmistakably Texan, with just a touch of that tropical landscaping feel.<\/p>
Houston-friendly drought-tolerant palms to plant beside succulents:<\/strong><\/p>
- Mexican palmetto (Sabal mexicana<\/em>)
<\/em><\/li>- Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis<\/em>)
<\/em><\/li>- Guadalupe palm (Brahea edulis<\/em>)
<\/em><\/li>- Chestnut dioon (Dioon edule<\/em>) (This one is technically not a palm but a cycad.)<\/li> <\/ul>
2. Keep Small Palm Trees in Indoor\/Outdoor Pots<\/h3>
![\"potted](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/potted-palm-tree-pikist-1.jpg\")
Image Credit: Pikist<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Planting your small palm trees in containers gives you more flexibility when it comes to cold hardiness. Just bring your palm trees inside<\/a> and keep them as houseplants during the winter.<\/p>
There are lots of options for potted palm trees. You could choose a smaller variety or a slow grower, which can grow large but only after many years.<\/p>
Potted palm trees are great for gardens of all sizes, even if you live in an urban area and don\u2019t have a yard. You can arrange your container garden<\/a> around your stoop or on your rooftop.<\/p>
Houston-friendly small palms for indoor\/outdoor pots:<\/strong><\/p>
- Pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii<\/em>)
<\/em><\/li>- Fishtail palm (Caryota mitis<\/em>)
<\/em><\/li>- Lady palm (Rhapis excelsa<\/em>)
<\/em><\/li>- Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana<\/em>)<\/li> <\/ul>
3. Spruce up Your Flower Bed With a Small Palm Tree<\/h3>
![\"Heart-shaped](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/palm-tree-flower-bed-pixabay.jpg\")
Image Credit: Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Everyone loves a classic flower bed with colorful blooms, manicured shrubs, mulch<\/a>, and maybe some decorative statues. Adding a small palm tree as a focal point can take your flower bed to the next level.<\/p>
Palm trees make a perfect centerpiece because their fronds arch in every direction. Plant a vibrant rainbow of flowers around the palm to make it really pop. The eastern purple coneflower, Texas lantana, and Gulf Coast muhly grass are all colorful native Houston plants<\/a> that would look great surrounding your palm tree.<\/p>
Houston-friendly small palms for flower beds:<\/strong><\/p>
- Sago palm (Cycas revoluta<\/em>) <\/em>(This one is also a cycad.)
<\/li>- Mazari palm (Nannorrhops ritchiana<\/em>)
<\/em><\/li>- Blue Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis <\/em>var. cerifera<\/em>)
<\/em><\/li>- McCurtain dwarf palmetto (a cultivar of Sabal minor<\/em>)<\/li> <\/ul>
4. Make a Privacy Hedge out of Clumping Palm Trees<\/h3>
![\"Close-up](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Chamaerops-humilis-wikimedia-commons.jpg\")
Image Credit: David J. Stang<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> If you need a little privacy in your front or backyard but don\u2019t like the look of a traditional fence, a privacy hedge<\/a> might be for you. Clumping species of palm trees, which grow a thick layer of fronds, can create a natural privacy screen (aka living fence<\/a>).<\/p>
A palm tree privacy hedge is also an easy solution if you want some separation between your swimming pool area<\/a> and the rest of your yard. Palms are good poolside plants because they don\u2019t shed much at all and have non-invasive roots that won\u2019t damage underground plumbing.<\/p>
Houston-friendly palms for privacy:<\/strong><\/p>
- European fan palm (Chamaerops humilis<\/em>)
<\/em><\/li>- Mexican blue fan palm (Brahea armata<\/em>)
<\/em><\/li>- Needle palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix<\/em>)
<\/em><\/li>- Emerald Island giant dwarf palmetto (a cultivar of Sabal minor<\/em>)<\/li> <\/ul>
5. Frame an Entryway With Two Tall Palm Trees<\/h3>
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/palm-trees-framing-hut-pixabay-1.jpg\")
Image Credit: Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> You can use this bold look to accentuate your front door<\/a>, the entrance to your driveway, or an outdoor living space. Palm trees create a natural archway with their sprawling fronds that\u2019s sure to make your home look more exotic and inviting.<\/p>
Tall palm trees work best for this look because they create more drama, but not all tall palms will grow in Houston. Remember, you\u2019re looking for cold-hardy varieties that can survive winter in zone 9. These types of palms typically grow 10-20 feet instead of the towering 50+ feet you might see in South Florida.<\/p>
Houston-friendly palms to frame an entryway:<\/strong><\/p>
- Sabal palm (Sabal palmetto<\/em>)
<\/em><\/li>- Pindo palm (Butia capitata<\/em>)
<\/em><\/li>- Windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei<\/em>)
<\/em><\/li>- Chinese fan palm (Livistona chinensis<\/em>)<\/li> <\/ul>
Best Palm Trees for Houston, Texas<\/h2>
If you\u2019re worried that palm trees in Texas can\u2019t stand up to below-freezing winter temperatures, here are a few of the best cold-hardy palm trees for Houston:<\/p>
- Cabbage palmetto (Sabal palmetto<\/em>):<\/strong> This part-shade, slow-growing palm is cold hardy below 20 degrees. The cabbage palmetto<\/a> commonly grows up to 30-40 feet but may grow up to 100 feet in some cases.
<\/strong><\/li>- Dwarf palmetto (Sabal minor<\/em>):<\/strong> A Houston native palm<\/a> that grows from 5-6 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide and can withstand Houston\u2019s cold winters. The mature purple fall fruits are a favorite of local wildlife.
<\/li>- European fan palm (Chamaerops humilis<\/em>):<\/strong> Also known as the Mediterranean fan palm<\/a>, this is a slow-growing palm with fan-shaped leaves. A good fit for a smaller yard. Usually grows from 8-12 feet tall. Hardy to below 20 degrees.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta<\/em>):<\/strong> If you\u2019re interested in a tall, majestic palm for your Houston landscape, Mexican fan palms<\/a> grow from 50-100 feet tall and tolerate Houston\u2019s below-freezing winter temperatures.
<\/li>- Needle palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix<\/em>):<\/strong> One of the most cold-hardy palms in Texas, the needle palm is a slow-growing plant that is good for small spaces. Needle palms grow from 6 to 8 feet tall and are becoming more popular in the nursery trade as homeowners become interested in palms that tolerate the cold.
<\/li>- Pindo Palm (Butia capitata<\/em>):<\/strong> A full-sun feather palm that grows up to 20 feet tall and about 15 feet wide. The pindo palm<\/a> is hardy to below 20 degrees.
<\/li>- Sago palm (Cycas revoluta<\/em>):<\/strong> Not a true palm, the sago palm<\/a> is a common cycad in Texas. Its feathery leaves resemble those of true palms, though, and it prefers partial shade in the landscape. The sago palm is a smaller plant, growing from 3-10 feet tall and wide.<\/li> <\/ul>
Caution:<\/strong> Avoid if you have pets or young children. The sago palm is highly poisonous and may result in permanent damage or death if any part of the plant is ingested.<\/p>
- Windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei<\/em>):<\/strong> A single-trunked palm with matted fibers covering the trunk. Fan-shaped leaves that may tear in strong winds. Grows to about 10 feet tall in the home landscape. The windmill palm<\/a> is a popular palm plant in home and commercial landscaping. Hardy down to zone 7a (0 degrees Fahrenheit).<\/li> <\/ul>
Source: Texas A&M<\/a><\/p>
FAQ about Landscaping with Palm Trees in Houston<\/strong><\/h2>
How Much Does a Palm Tree Cost in Texas?<\/strong>How much your palm tree costs depends on its species and its maturity. If you want to buy a fully grown palm tree of 10-20 feet, you\u2019re looking at a price tag of around $1,000<\/strong>. You can find many smaller species for about $100<\/strong>.
How Do I Protect my Palm Trees from Freezing in Texas?<\/strong>Before temperatures drop each year, you\u2019ll need to winterize your palm trees. To winterize a small palm tree, all you have to do is cover it with a box or blanket.
What are the Best Trees to Plant in Houston?Add variety to your landscape with these best trees to plant in Houston<\/a>:
How Do I Create a Low-Maintenance Landscape in Houston?1. Use native plants. Popular Houston native plants<\/a> include:
When to Hire a Landscaping Professional<\/strong><\/h2>
Many local Houston nurseries carry types of palm trees that could never survive the winter here. It can be tricky to find the right species on your own. A professional Houston landscaper<\/a> can make sure you get a palm tree for your landscape that will last longer than one season.<\/p>
A professional can also help you design a more personalized landscape. If you have certain features you would like to incorporate along with your palm trees, a landscaping pro can figure out the best way to do it.<\/p>
You might not live in the tropics, but that doesn\u2019t mean your landscaping can\u2019t have a tropical feel. With these design ideas, you can fill your Houston landscape with palm trees, the classic symbol of a tropical vacation.<\/p>
- Needle palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix<\/em>):<\/strong> One of the most cold-hardy palms in Texas, the needle palm is a slow-growing plant that is good for small spaces. Needle palms grow from 6 to 8 feet tall and are becoming more popular in the nursery trade as homeowners become interested in palms that tolerate the cold.
- Dwarf palmetto (Sabal minor<\/em>):<\/strong> A Houston native palm<\/a> that grows from 5-6 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide and can withstand Houston\u2019s cold winters. The mature purple fall fruits are a favorite of local wildlife.
- Pindo palm (Butia capitata<\/em>)
- Mexican blue fan palm (Brahea armata<\/em>)
- Mazari palm (Nannorrhops ritchiana<\/em>)
- Fishtail palm (Caryota mitis<\/em>)
- Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis<\/em>)
- How to Landscape With Palm Trees in Houston<\/a><\/li>
![USDA Hardiness Zone 9a<\/a>, which means temperatures can drop to around 20 degrees in the winter. That\u2019s simply too cold for most palm trees to survive. You have options, though. There are several](\"https:\/\/pdi.scinet.usda.gov\/phzm\/mm\/tx_e.jpg\"){kind=link}