20 Overlooked Palms for Marginal Mediterranean Climates

Mediterranean climates (dry subtropical, USDA 9b–10a) host hundreds of palm species, yet landscapers rely on the same few—Chamaerops, Trachycarpus, Butia, Syagrus romanzoffiana, Washingtonia, Phoenix, Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, Brahea armata, Dypsis decaryi, Howea forsteriana, Livistona chinensis, Rhapis, Sabal palmetto, Ravenea rivularis, Jubaea, Bismarckia, Wodyetia. Here are 20 excellent but underused palms for these climates, listed alphabetically.

Well-known cold-hardy palms: Washingtonia robusta, Butia capitata, Trachycarpus fortunei

Archontophoenix myolensis

Resembles a king palm but with shorter, brighter green leaves, a bright green ringed trunk (when young), and a near-turquoise crownshaft. Less cold-hardy and slower than A. cunninghamiana, but survives marginal climates with frost protection (e.g., under canopy). Plant in small colonies for a stunning tropical effect.

Archontophoenix myolensis in Hawaii

Brahea pimo

A rare, solitary fan palm—small (6–8 ft at maturity), very slow, with fuzzy leaves and reddish-pink petioles. One of the most beautiful Brahea species. Cold hardiness likely sufficient for zones 9b–10a. Snap it up if you find it.

Brahea pimo and close-up of petioles

Chamaedorea adscendens

Easy, underused Chamaedorea—great as a potted plant or shady understory. Only ~2 ft tall with large, thick, leathery pinnate leaves and ovoid leaflets with attractive bloom underneath. Tolerates ~26°F, some direct sun, and heat. Cold-hardy for the genus.

Chamaedorea adscendens in Southern California, pots, and leaf close-up (last photo by Chris Mankey)

Chamaedorea oreophila

Super-hardy solitary species; resembles C. elegans (parlor palm) but faster and more cold-hardy. Moderate growth; grown in colonies, yields brilliant red fruit chains. Handles some sun (not hot afternoon). Cold tolerance to ~25°F or lower. Underexplored as a houseplant.

Chamaedorea oreophila in author's garden, private garden (old plants), and as potted plant

Chuniophoenix nana

Underutilized suckering fan palm from tropical China/Vietnam with surprising hardiness (unfazed at ~25°F). Resembles Rhapis excelsa but slower, less invasive, more elegant. Handles some sun (not hot afternoon). Potential houseplant—data limited.

Chuniophoenix nana in Southern California, tropics, and author's plant

Cyphophoenix elegans

New Caledonian species—one of the hardiest and most trouble-free from that region. Classic crownshafted feather palm with elegant silhouette. Tolerates more sun than congeners but prefers afternoon shade. Slow; decades to reach height. Available from specialty nurseries as larger plants (at a cost).

Cyphophoenix elegans in Hawaii and maturing in California

Dypsis saint-lucei

One of the most reliable, cold-tolerant, and ornamental Dypsis. Slow-growing solitary feather palm with nearly pure white crownshafts and elegantly arching leaves. Hardy to ~25°F. Recently available from Hawaii at reasonable cost. Mature palms still rare outside Madagascar but thriving in Hawaii; Mediterranean climates will see them in ~10 years.

Dypsis saint-lucei mature in Southern California, maturing in Hawaii, seedling ready to plant

Hedyscepe canterburyana (Umbrella Palm)

Moderately slow; adult palms in ~10 years from seed. Markedly ringed trunk, large glaucous crownshaft, exaggeratedly recurved leaves. One of three great palms from Lord Howe Island. Cold hardy to ~28°F; grow under canopy for winter protection.

Mature Hedyscepe canterburyana in private gardens; seedlings for sale

Hyphaene coriacea (Doum Palm)

Underused for marginal climates—Mediterranean, humid, or desert (more heat = better). Slow near coast; better inland with frost protection. Burns below 27°F but recovers (suckering fan palm). Ornamental pale blue-green/grey-green costapalmate leaves; striking black petioles with orange, yellow, turquoise. Branching usually only at ground level.

Maturing Hyphaene (second photo by klaude); seedlings in Southern California

Livistona fulva

Moderately fast solitary fan palm with stiff, non-drooping palmate leaves. Attractive rust-colored bloom on leaf undersides—striking at sunset. One of the more elegant Livistona species; always draws comments.

Livistona fulva maturing in Hawaii, younger in LA, rust undersides

Lytocaryum weddellianum

Miniature feather palm for shady gardens. Brazilian native, related to queen palm but super-miniature with fine lacy pinnate leaves, trunk <1" diameter. Grows to ~10 ft over decades. Fast leaf production but slow overall. Good low-light/indoor candidate. L. hoehnei also excellent but rarer.

Lytocaryum weddellianum in sun, shade, and old ~8 ft palm

Parajubaea sunkha

Probably the best full-sun rare palm for Mediterranean climates. Crownshaftless feather palm with thin, whispy leaflets showing silvery to coppery undersides. Exceptional growth rate once established; rivals fastest non-tropical palms. Superb wind/heat tolerance; hardy to ~26°F. Not for humid/tropical climates. Expensive due to erratic germination, but predicted to become common in Southern California in 20 years. More reliable than P. torralyi (some taxonomists consider sunkha a variety).

Parajubaea sunkha in inland Southern California; seedling showing coppery undersides

Plectocomia himalayana

Rattan palm—spiny but the most cold-hardy and ornamental of the group. Markedly ringed trunk with closely spaced spines; long arching pinnate leaves with ovoid leaflets. Fast-growing. In tropics becomes a giant spreading monster requiring professional removal; in California, not problematic. Hardy to high 20s °F.

Plectocomia in private garden; rapidly growing in conservatory; close-up of spination

Ravenea glauca

One of the best Ravenea for Southern California—diminutive Majesty palm with fewer yellowing/bud rot issues. Solitary pinnate, thin glaucous leaflets, 6–8" crownshaftless trunk. Moderate grower; slower than R. rivularis from seed. Likes full sun; doesn't yellow from heat/sun like Majesty palm. Cold tolerance ~27°F; good recovery after freeze.

Colony of Ravenea glauca in Hawaii; seeding female in Southern California; author's seedlings

Ravenea xerophila

Most cold-hardy Ravenea; unique cycad-like thick succulent root, stiff grey/blue-grey arching leaves. Remarkably slow; grow to 5-gal size in greenhouse before planting out. Great for hot inland climates; suffers in cool coastal weather. Full sun once sized up. No mature specimens outside Madagascar yet—plant for the long term.

Large Ravenea xerophila in Southern California; in rainy tropics; author's 10-year-old seedling

Rhapis multifida

Best-looking Rhapis—fine pointed deep green leaflets, smaller suckering fan palm with tight clustering. Not for hot inland sun; ideal for shade and as indoor palm. Cold tolerance ~25°F or slightly lower; rarely killed permanently unless roots freeze.

Potted Rhapis multifida; in tropics; leaf close-up

Rhopalostylis baueri

One of two New Zealand species. Moderately slow solitary pinnate with lime-green bulbous crownshaft, red/pink/grey petioles when young. Not for extreme heat or full sun; premier palm for large gardens with tall canopy (e.g., Eucalyptus) or north-side of tall buildings. Eventually ~30 ft (decades). Upright arching leaves like a giant shaving brush; closely ringed trunk. Reliable fruiter with brilliant red ornamental fruit. Hardy to ~27°F. Both Rhopalostylis species worth growing in Mediterranean climates.

Rhopalostylis baueri crown; younger palms at San Diego Zoo; crownshaft and flower of maturing palm

Sabal yapa

Least frost-tolerant Sabal (leaf damage ~28–29°F; survives ~25°F with defoliation). Hard to distinguish from S. mauritiiformis but larger, more blue on leaf undersides. Massive solitary fan palm with deeply split leaves—resembles giant Licuala when young. Full sun or shade (slower in shade).

Sabal yapa in Florida (Mike Dahme); younger in Southern California; author's seedling showing blue undersides

Syagrus botryophora

Delicate, elegant solitary pinnate with ornamental thatched trunk and non-plumose arching short leaves. Doesn't resemble queen palm. Intolerant of high winds (blows over); cold tolerant to ~27°F. Popular "new" palm among enthusiasts in marginal and tropical climates.

Mature Syagrus botryophora in Hawaii; maturing in Southern California; immature palm; young palm in Hawaii

Wallichia disticha

Distichous (grows in one plane only)—sure to draw comments. Surprising cold hardiness for tropical Asian origin; moderately fast. Monocarpic (dies after flowering); lifespan 15–20 years. One of few palms you can grow from seedling and see complete natural life cycle.

Wallichia disticha front view (Southern California); side view (Hawaii); author's seedling

This list offers unique, tropical flair for Mediterranean-climate gardens. For desert climates, a future article will cover palms suited to those conditions.