If you love the tropical look of palm trees but live in a region that experiences freezing winters, this list is for you. We’ve gathered 25 cold hardy palm trees proven to survive winter temperatures well below freezing, making them ideal for gardeners and landscapers in USDA zones 7 and colder. Each palm listed here offers unique qualities, from height and leaf shape to cold tolerance, helping you find the perfect palm tree that thrives even in chilly climates.
1. Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei)
One of the most popular cold hardy palms, the Windmill Palm can tolerate temperatures down to 5°F (-15°C). It features a slender trunk topped with fan-shaped leaves that withstand snow and frost better than many palms. This species is widely planted in the eastern and western U.S. and can grow up to 20-40 feet tall.
2. Needle Palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix)
The Needle Palm is considered the most cold-tolerant palm, surviving temperatures as low as -5°F (-20°C). It is a slow-growing, clumping palm with stiff, needle-tipped leaves and a shrub-like form, perfect for smaller spaces or naturalistic landscape designs.
3. European Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis)
This palm is native to the Mediterranean and withstands temperatures down to about 10°F (-12°C). It grows as a multi-trunk clumping palm with fan-shaped leaves and is drought-tolerant once established, making it versatile for colder, dry climates.
4. Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor)
Native to the southeastern U.S., the Dwarf Palmetto is hardy to about 10°F (-12°C). It remains relatively short, around 3-6 feet tall, with large, fan-shaped leaves and thrives in wet or dry soils, making it excellent for varied garden conditions.
5. Pindo Palm (Butia capitata)
The Pindo Palm, also known as Jelly Palm, can survive temperatures down to 15°F (-9°C). It has a graceful, arching blue-green frond and produces edible fruit. Its moderate cold tolerance and attractive appearance make it popular in warmer temperate zones.
6. Sabal Palmetto (Cabbage Palm)
Famous as the state tree of South Carolina and Florida, Sabal Palmetto tolerates temperatures down to 10°F (-12°C). It can grow tall, up to 65 feet in native habitats, with fan-shaped leaves and a robust trunk, making it a classic choice for cold hardy palms.
7. European Fan Palm ‘Vulcano’ (Chamaerops humilis var. vulcano)
A cultivar of the European Fan Palm, ‘Vulcano’ is prized for its compact size and intense green leaf color. It withstands cold down to about 10°F (-12°C) and is more cold hardy than many other ornamental palms, suitable for container growing in colder gardens.
8. Mazari Palm (Nannorrhops ritchiana)
Native to parts of Pakistan and Iran, this palm tolerates temperatures as low as 0°F (-18°C). It grows as a multi-stemmed clumping palm with stiff, blue-gray fan leaves and is highly drought resistant, ideal for cold but arid climates.
9. Mediterranean Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis cerifera)
This subspecies of the European Fan Palm has a bluish waxy coating on its leaves, increasing its cold and drought tolerance. It survives temperatures around 10°F (-12°C) and is often used in xeriscaping and coastal gardens.
10. Mexican Blue Palm (Brahea armata)
The Mexican Blue Palm is known for its striking silvery-blue fan leaves and can handle temperatures down to 15°F (-9°C). It grows slowly but can reach heights of 20-30 feet, adding a bold color contrast in colder zone gardens.
11. Chinese Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus nanus)
A dwarf relative of the Windmill Palm, this species grows up to 10 feet tall and tolerates cold down to 5°F (-15°C). It is ideal for smaller spaces or container culture and has similar fan-shaped leaves with a hairy trunk.
12. Blue Hesper Palm (Brahea edulis)
Native to Guadalupe Island, this palm has stunning blue fan leaves and tolerates cold temperatures around 15°F (-9°C). It is moderately slow growing and prefers well-drained soils, making it a unique choice for cold hardy palms.
13. Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii)
While not as cold hardy as others, it can survive brief dips to 20°F (-6°C) with protection. This small palm is prized for its graceful, feathery fronds and is commonly grown indoors or in sheltered outdoor spots in colder climates.
14. Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)
Native to the southeastern U.S., Saw Palmetto can tolerate temperatures down to about 10°F (-12°C). It is a low-growing, clumping palm with fan-shaped leaves and is highly tolerant of poor soils and drought conditions.
15. Needlepoint Palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix ‘Needlepoint’)
A cultivar of the Needle Palm, this variety is especially cold hardy and features long, sharp needles protecting its trunk. It is an excellent choice for extremely cold sites where other palms would fail.
16. Silver Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens ‘Silver’)
This cultivar of Saw Palmetto features silvery-blue foliage and shares the species’ hardiness down to 10°F (-12°C). It adds color variation to landscapes in cold zones and maintains the species’ toughness.
17. Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii)
Usually grown indoors in colder climates, this palm can tolerate brief cold snaps down to 20°F (-6°C) if well protected. It grows to about 6-10 feet tall with finely textured, arching fronds, making it a popular houseplant and patio palm.
18. European Dwarf Palm (Chamaerops humilis ‘Nana’)
A compact form of the European Fan Palm, ‘Nana’ grows only 3-6 feet tall and is hardy to about 10°F (-12°C). It is ideal for small gardens or container planting in colder regions.
19. California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera)
Native to desert oases, this palm tolerates cold down to about 15°F (-9°C). It grows tall, up to 60 feet, with large fan leaves and is drought tolerant once established, though less cold hardy than Windmill Palm.
20. Mexican Fan Palm (Washingtonia robusta)
Similar to the California Fan Palm but taller and more slender, it tolerates temperatures down to about 20°F (-6°C). It grows quickly and can reach heights over 70 feet, though it is less cold tolerant than other palms on this list.
21. European Dwarf Palm ‘Vulcano’
A robust cultivar with compact growth and striking green leaves, ‘Vulcano’ is cold hardy to 10°F (-12°C). It performs well in coastal and colder climates where other palms struggle.
22. Blue Mediterranean Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis cerifera)
This variety features a blue-gray waxy coating on its leaves that helps it resist cold and drought. It can survive temperatures near 10°F (-12°C) and is a favored choice for Mediterranean and temperate gardens.
23. Mazari Palm (Nannorrhops ritchiana)
Highly drought tolerant and hardy to 0°F (-18°C), this rare palm is ideal for cold deserts. Its stiff, blue-gray fan leaves and multi-stemmed habit provide a unique architectural element.
24. Needle Palm ‘Compacta’
A compact cultivar of the Needle Palm, ‘Compacta’ is extremely cold hardy, tolerating temperatures below 0°F (-18°C). It grows slowly in a clumping form with sharp needles, perfect for very cold regions.
25. Windmill Palm ‘Wagnerianus’
This cultivar of Trachycarpus fortunei is more cold tolerant and distinguished by its smaller, thicker leaves with a slightly blue tint. It survives temperatures down to 5°F (-15°C) and is often used in urban and colder gardens.
How to Choose
When selecting a cold hardy palm, the most critical factors are your USDA hardiness zone and the palm’s minimum temperature tolerance. Consider the mature size of the palm and whether you have space for a tall species or need a dwarf variety. Soil type and drainage matter—many palms prefer well-drained soils and can suffer in heavy clay or waterlogged conditions. Also, think about sun exposure; while most palms love full sun, some tolerate partial shade better. Lastly, consider maintenance: some palms drop large fronds requiring cleanup, while others are tidier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the coldest temperature a palm can survive?
Some palms like the Needle Palm can survive temperatures as low as -5°F (-20°C), but most cold hardy palms tolerate between 5°F and 15°F (-15°C to -9°C).
Q: Can cold hardy palms grow indoors?
Yes, smaller species like the Pygmy Date Palm can be grown indoors, but they often require bright light and humidity to thrive.
Q: How do palms survive frost and snow?
Their tough, waxy leaves and flexible fronds help shed snow and resist frost damage. Some species also go semi-dormant to survive cold spells.
Q: Do cold hardy palms need special care in winter?
In areas with frequent freezes, mulching the root zone and wrapping trunks can help young palms survive. Established palms usually tolerate cold without extra protection.
Q: Are there palms that survive in zone 6 or colder?
Needle Palm and some cultivars of Windmill Palm can survive in USDA zone 6 with proper protection, though it’s challenging.
Final Thoughts
Cold hardy palms open up exciting landscaping possibilities even in regions with freezing winters. From the ultra-tough Needle Palm to the elegant Windmill Palm and drought-resistant Mazari Palm, there’s a cold tolerant palm for nearly every garden style and climate. By choosing species suited to your local conditions and providing proper care, you can enjoy the tropical charm of palms year-round without worrying about winter damage.
Explore these 25 options to add a touch of the tropics to your colder garden, and watch your landscape transform with their unique forms and textures.
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