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Palm Catalog

Highly Recommended Palms Click on a tree to view more information and a larger image of the palm.
	Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto)	European Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis)
	Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor)

Recommended Palms Click on a tree to view more information and a larger image of the palm.
	Indian Date Palm (Phoenix sylvestris)	Ponytail (Beaucarnea recurvata)
	Paurotis Palm (Acoelorrhaphe wrightii)	Ribbon Palm (Livistona deciplens)
	Pindo Palm (Butia capitata)
Palms Recommended With Reservations
	Chinese Fan Palm (Livistonia chinensis) This palm is self-pruning, but its weeping fronds can be a problem for clearance when the tree is young. One major drawback is that the seedlings sprout readily and propagation will become a problem in both landscape and natural areas. Use should be restricted to central urban areas for this reason.	Royal Palm (Royalstronea elata) The height of this tree overpowers most residential sites. Sarasota is a bit north of its recommended range. As a result, expect cold damage to this palm in sub-freezing temperatures. Manganese deficiencies are a problem in our soils. This palm is self-pruning and the fronds are capable of inflicting injury or damage to pedestrians, cars and other plants. Exercise caution when locating this plant.
	Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) A high-maintenance specimen palm. The tree is prone to fungal diseases in Florida and its use should be limited. Good cultivation and pruning techniques can limit spread of lethal pathogens. For use in large landscapes only.
Palms Not Recommended
	Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canaridensis) This high-maintenance palm is prone to fungal diseases in our humid environment and should only be used in large, intensively-maintained landscapes. Culture and good drainage are the keys to keeping the Canary Island Date Palm healthy. For most landscapes, there are better choices.	Washingtonia Palm (Washingtonia robusta) Despite its adaptability, this is a palm to avoid in most landscapes. The palm quickly outgrows most landscapes. Petticoat should remain on palm. Palm is host to a number of diseases, often spread by poor pruning and culture. This palm will not survive high winds.
	Queen Palm (Syagrus romanzoffianum) The Queen Palm may be the worst choice of plant for any landscape in terms of maintenance, performance and longevity. Queen Palm is not tolerant of most soils in our area and as a result, deficiencies and disease plague this palm. Fruit and dead fronds create litter in urban landscapes. Avoid this plant.