Photograph credit: Flickr

ALERT - Freeze predicted Tuesday Nov 11th and 12th in Florida Zones 8 - 9. Protect your tropical plants next week!

Dreaming of relaxing under a palm on a sunny January day is one of the main reasons retirees move to Florida. Florida's mild winters attract new residents who want to plant those palm trees in their yards. Florida’s gardening zones span 8b to 12, covering both tropical and subtropical climates. Subtropical areas can experience freezes that harm tropical plants, and despite USDA zone updates, Florida will continue to have occasional freezes.  The general demarcation of Florida’s subtropical regions starts on the northern side of Lake Okeechobee (Zone 10) up through North Florida (Zones 8b). Zones 11 and 12 below Lake Okeechobee is considered tropical with rare chances of a freeze.

These are the palm tree species I suggest for surviving freezing temperatures in subtropical landscapes. I’ve included the lowest temperature for each palm species.

Bismarck Palm, Bismarckia nobilis 25°F

Mexican Blue Palm, Brahea armata 25°F

California Fan Palm, Washingtonia filifera 15°F -20°F

Chinese Fan Palm, Livistona chinensis 20°F – 25°F

Dwarf Palmetto, Sabal minor 0°F             

European Fan Palm, Chamaerops humilis 15º – 20°F

Lady Palm, Rhapis excelsa 15º - 20°F               

Mexican Fan Palm, Washingtonia robusta 15ºF – 20°F

Mazari Palm, Nannorrhops ritchiana 10°F

Needle Palm, Rhapidophyllum hystrix 5°F – 10° F

Paurotis Palm, Acoelorrhaphe wrightii 20°F – 25°F

Pindo Palm, Butia capitata 5°F – 10°F

Saw palmetto, Serenoa repens 0ºF – 5°F                  

Sago Palm, Cycas revoluta 10°F – 15°F                     

Windmill Palm, Trachycarpus fortunei 5ºF – 10ºF

Palms prone to diseases like Lethal Bronzing, Yellowing, or Fusarium Wilt are not on this cold-hardy list. Check each species for size and site needs before buying. Only mature palms tolerate low temperatures; young palms need protection.