Small Palm Varieties Guide: 10–35 Foot Palms for Gardens & Patios

Small palms (10–35 ft): use as accents, clusters, near pools/patios, in large beds with succulents/Mediterranean plants.

• Chinese Fan Palm (Livistona chinensis): Wide crown, bright green fan leaves with drooping tips. Regular water. Slow to 25–30 ft. Hardy to 22°. Zones 13–17, 19–24, H1, H2.
• Foxtail Palm (Wodyetia bifurcata): Narrow trunk, plumelike leaves, gray-green crownshaft. Beautiful specimen/street tree. Good drainage. Slow to 25 ft. Hardy to 30°. Zones 21–24.
• Mediterranean Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis): Multiple trunks, dense old-leaf mat. Foliage dark green to silvery gray. Slow to 20 ft. Hardy to 0°. Zones 4–24, H1, H2.
• Mexican Blue Palm (Brahea armata): Striking silvery blue fan leaves. Slow to 35 ft. Hardy to 18°. Zones 10, 12–17, 19–24, H1.
• Pindo Palm (Butia capitata): Stout trunk, arching gray-green feather leaves. Slow to 10–20 ft. Hardy to 15°. Zones 8, 9, 12–24, H1, H2.
• Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii): Fine feather leaves, tree fern-like. Often planted in multiples. Regular water, light shade inland. Slow to 10 ft. Hardy to 26°. Zones 13, 23, 24, H2.
• Shaving Brush Palm (Rhopalostylis sapida): Upright feather leaves from crownshaft—good accent. Regular water. Slow to 30 ft. Hardy to 27°. Zones 17, 23, 24, H1, H2.
• Triangle Palm (Dypsis decaryi): Triangular trunk from leaf bases. 15-ft gray-green to blue-green feather leaves. Sun/light shade, drought tolerant. Slow to 20 ft. Hardy to 28°. Zones 20–24, H2.
• Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei): Dark green fan leaves on stiff trunk with brown hairy fiber. Moderate-fast to 35 ft. Hardy to 10° or lower. Zones 4–24.