Discover 14 Types of Palm Trees in Florida

Florida is one of the few states that are notorious for the beautiful palm trees throughout the state. I honestly did not realize there are several different types of palm trees! The palm trees listed in this article are cold-hardy, meaning they can survive some pretty chilly weather. Lucky for these palm trees, Florida stays pretty warm throughout the year. A lot of the listed palm trees have several qualities that will keep your home looking beautiful and keep the air clean!

1. Cabbage Palm

The Cabbage Palm tree is native to the southern United States, Bahamas, and Cuba. You can find these trees growing near desert, shady, or swamp-like areas. The scientific name for the Cabbage Palm is Sabal palmetto which is the official state tree of Florida. This slow-growing tree can live over 100 years and grow up to 65 feet tall.

2. Bismarck Palm

The Bismarck Palm tree is native to Madagascar and is named after Otto Von Bismarck. This tree has silvery-green leaves and is the only species of its genus. Bismarck Palm trees love humidity and reach up to 60 feet in height.

3. Canary Island Date Palm

The Canary Island Date Palm tree is native to the Canary Islands, hence the name, and to North Africa. This beautiful palm tree can grow up to 60 feet tall!

4. Chinese Fan Palm

The Chinese Fan Palm is a subtropical tree with origins in China, Japan, and Taiwan. The name comes from the fan-shaped leaves drooping down from the crown like a fountain. Chinese Fan Palms grow very quickly, causing them to be an invasive species in Florida. This type of palm tree can grow up to 40 feet tall and has air purification qualities.

5. Coconut Palm

The Coconut Palm is native to the Malay Archipelago and has a smooth gray trunk. This palm tree produces yellow, sweet-smelling flowers, followed by coconuts. If temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, the Coconut Palm can suffer injuries. The scientific name is Cocos nucifera.

6. Bottle Palm

The Bottle Palm originates in Mascarenes, a set of islands off of Madagascar. The scientific name for the Bottle Palm is Hyopphorbe lagenicaulis.

7. African Oil Palm

The African Oil Palm is a perennial plant originating from western Africa. This palm tree produces an orange-reddish oily fruit weighing up to sixty-six pounds. This oil is used in soaps, cosmetics, and candles.

8. Areca Palm

The scientific name for the Areca Palm is Chrysalidocarpus lutescens. The Areca Palm tree is native to the islands of Madagascar. This palm tree can grow up to 20 feet tall and will grow wider before it gets taller.

9. Mexican Palm

The Mexican Palm tree is native to northwestern desert regions of Mexico but thrives well in Florida and Hawaii. This fast-growing palm tree can reach heights of 100 feet and produces thin-fleshed fruit. The blackberry fruit of this palm tree is sweet and is used to make jelly.

10. Paurotis Palm

The Paurotis Palm tree is native to Mexico and Central America. The particular palm tree grows in the south Florida swamps and has bright green leaves with silver undersides. This palm tree can grow between 20 to 30 feet tall.

11. Queen Palm

The scientific name for the Queen Palm is Syagrus romanzoffiana. The Queen Palm is native to the South American woodlands of Brazil and Argentina. This palm tree is known for falling during hurricanes because of its shallow roots. Queen Palm trees can grow 40 feet tall and are usually 5 to 10 feet wide.

12. Pindo Palm

The Pindo Palm tree originates from Brazil and is also known as the Jelly Palm. The Pindo Palm tree produces yellow, white, orange, or red flowers followed by an orange-brownish fruit. This fruit, similar to the Mexican Palm tree, is used to make jelly.

13. Bangalow Palm

The Bangalow Palm tree is a perennial plant native to Australia and can grow up to 60 feet tall. This beautiful palm tree produces red fruit and lavender blooms. The scientific name for the Bangalow Palm is Archontophoenix cunninghamiana.

14. Royal Palm

The Royal Palm tree is native to Cuba and North America. There are ten species of the Royal Palm around the world. This palm tree produces purple or black half-inch fruit that are only for show. The scientific name for the Royal Palm tree is Roystonea oleracea and it can grow up to 80 feet tall.

14. Foxtail Palm

The Foxtail plant is native to Australia and has its name because the grey feathered-like leaves resemble that of a fox tail. The Foxtail Plant can reach heights of 20 to 30 feet.