Palm trees are very beautiful, elegant and stylized plants, but they are usually only planted in gardens. The height that most of them reach makes it impossible to grow them in pots, but, although few in number, some can be planted in pots.
If you want to know which are the most suitable types of palms, here you have our selection.
Contents
Types of saw palmetto
If you are looking for dwarf palms or small palms to grow in pots, you should know that, in general, species with these characteristics do not tolerate the cold very well. But that shouldn’t worry you too much, since you can have them indoors during the winter.
Allagoptera arenaria
Image – Flickr/Mauricio Mercadante
The Allagoptera arenaria It’s a small palm tree it reaches less than 2 meters in height, the usual 1.5-1.8 meters. But yes, it has long pinnate leaves, up to 1.5 meters, so its general appearance is that of a very, very beautiful plant. These come from an underground trunk, which gives the impression that they really come out of the ground.
It tolerates marine environments, since its natural habitat is precisely coastal areas and beaches. But yes, in a pot it must be planted in a mixture of peat and perlite in equal parts for it to grow well. In addition, it is important that it is placed in a sunny place, and that it is protected from the cold if the temperature drops below -3ºC.
Butia archeri
Image – Flickr/Mauricio Mercadante
The Butia archeri It is the smallest species of the genus Butia. It is known as the coquerito palm of the field, and only reaches one meter in height. The trunk is about 30 to 35 centimeters thick and is crowned with highly arching pinnate olive green leaves.
It should be placed in a sunny place, or in partial shade. For the rest, it resists light frosts, down to -2ºC.
Genus Chamaedorea
Chamaedorea tueckeimii
The Chamaedorea genus of palms is made up of species that are perfect for growing them in pots. Most do not exceed 2-3 meters in heightbut even those that grow the most, like the Chamaedorea radicalis, having a thin trunk you will not need to pass it on the ground. Some have pinnate leaves, like the Chaamedorea elegans which you can see in the image at the top of the article, or with undivided sheets, like the one in the image above.
These plants are best suited grow in areas where the sun does not directly reachboth indoors and outdoors -provided the minimum temperature is above -3ºC-.
The most suitable species for pots are:
- Chamaedorea elegans: it is a small palm with a single trunk which is generally sold in pots with several plants. Its leaves are pinnate, green.
- Chamaedorea ernesti-augustii: It is a single-trunked palm that reaches 2 meters in height. Its leaves are bifid, with large leaflets.
- Chamaedorea metallica: it is a very curious camadorea, which has bifid leaves; that is to say with two leaflets, wide and bluish green or metallic. It grows up to 3 meters high. This is a great option when looking for a palm tree for the patio.
- Elongated Chamaedorea: it is also a single-trunked species that reaches a size of 3 meters in height. Its leaves are pinnate, with pinnae or broad leaflets.
- Chamaedorea radicalis: it is a species that usually develops a solitary trunk, although it may not be the case. Its maximum height is 4 meters, and its leaves are pinnate, green.
Chamaerops humilis
Image – Wikimedia/Juan Emilio Prades Bel
The Chamaerops humilis It is true that they have a great tendency to tear off suckers, but they can live well in large pots of cement or other material, where they will grow without exceeding 4 meters high. They have webbed green leaves and a maximum trunk thickness of 20-25 cm. So do not hesitate any longer and put a Chamaerops on your sunny terrace. It resists down to -7ºC.
minute dyspsia
Image – PACSO
The minute dyspsia it really is a mini palm tree. It is only 50 centimeters high, and develops about 5 to 8 bifid green leaves. It is very, very rare, but if you get it it will surely surprise you, but it is important that you know that it is a tropical species; that is to say, it does not withstand cold or frost at all.
The ideal temperatures for this are between 30°C maximum and 10°C minimum. In addition, it needs high ambient humidity and protection from the sun.
Nannorhops ritchieana
Image – Flickr/بوبدر
The Nannorhops ritchieana It is an outdoor palm, multi-stemmed, with a bushy appearance. Reaches a height of 1 to 3 meters. The leaves are fan-shaped, and can be glaucous greenish blue, or green depending on the variety. It is not a very common species, but we think it has a lot of potential, as it is resistant to drought and high temperatures (40-45ºC). It also supports cold and frost down to -4°C.
roebellini phoenix
Image – Wikimedia/David J. Stang
The phoenix roebellinii it is one of the smallest of the Phoenix genus. It grows up to 2 meters tall, and also has a thin trunk, up to 20 cm in diameter. Its leaves are pinnate and slightly inclined downwards, a characteristic that is undoubtedly very interesting, as it gives it an amazing exotic appearance.
This palm will look great in very bright rooms, or outdoors in shady corners. Resists down to -3ºC.
Raphis excelsa
Image – Raphis Palm
The Raphis excelsa It is a palm that is usually sold as a houseplant, and it is very curious. It has webbed leaves, with very defined leaflets, dark green. It is very interesting to have inside the house, since does not exceed 3 meters in heightand its trunk is always very thin, up to 5 centimeters thick.
It can also be kept outdoors if the climate is tropical, in an area of partial shade.
serenoa repents
Image – Flickr/Zone Scott
The serenoa repents It is a multi-stemmed palm which reaches more than 3 meters in height. The leaves are webbed, of a beautiful green color. In addition to its natural beauty, it is worth noting that it can live in a wide variety of climates, from temperate to tropical.
Put it in the sun, water it from time to time and there is only one thing left for you to do: enjoy it to the full. The best thing is that it can be a palm to have in a -large- planter. It resists down to -4ºC.
Thrinax parviflora
Image – Wikimedia/Kyle Wicomb
The Thrinax parviflora It is a multi-stemmed palm which can measure between 1 and 10 meters, with very thin trunks barely 15 centimeters in diameter. For this reason, although it grows very tall, it really doesn’t need a lot of space and can be potted without any problem. The leaves are webbed and green.
It is a plant that should be grown in sunny areas, so whenever possible it is best to have it outdoors. The only drawback is that it is not resistant to frost, only down to -1ºC and as long as they are punctual and of very short duration.
What is the care of potted palms?
Finally, we will tell you how to take care of potted palms. Of course, keep in mind that these are general tips, as every climate is different. Let’s start:
What is the best pot for a palm tree?
Image – Wikimedia/RJ Raawat
It is important to choose it well; unsurprisingly, you will be using it for a long time. For it, you will need to have one that measures between 10 and 15 centimeters more in width and height than the one he has right now, which also has holes in its base. Containers that do not have drainage holes are not useful for plants, except for aquatic plants.
If we talk about the material, it is indifferent. If we want our potted palm to be outdoors, we recommend that you choose a clay palm, as this allows the roots to grow better by being able to “hold on”. Plastic, being a smooth material, does not allow this.
But if you intend to buy more varieties, in the end it will be more interesting to plant them in plastic pots.
What substrate to put?
The substrate should be spongy, light and rich in organic matter. For instance, we can put any of these:
When should it be paid?
Buy the best fertilizer for your palm trees. Click here.
Whether your palm tree is indoors or outdoors, you have to pay in spring and summer. To do this, you must use specific fertilizers for them, or for the plants. Any brand will do: Flower, Compo, etc. In any case, if you prefer to use natural fertilizers, we recommend guano.
How often should potted palms be watered?
Much will depend on the climatic conditions of the region where the plants are grown. But usually, they should be watered two or three times a week during the summer, as long as it does not rain, because if that happens, it would be necessary to space out the risks. In winter, on the contrary, we will water much less.
When watering, it is important that the water is poured on the ground, until it comes out through the drainage holes.
Thus, your palm trees will look very beautiful.