California Palm Trees: 15 Types That Grow Well in California

California is home to many diverse ecosystems! The different conditions are suitable for a wide variety of palm trees, including some native species. Most thrive in Southern California, where warm, frost-free winters host both temperate and tropical palms. 

Generally, palms prefer well-drained soil and lots of sunlight. They grow well in open gardens, and tall varieties are perfect for lining walkways and driveways. Some form edible dates and coconuts, while others are purely ornamental. 

No matter the types of California palm trees you choose, you won’t go wrong with any of these. Look for one that stands out to you, whether it’s for its ridged bark or broad leaves. They’re all incredibly diverse, and there’s sure to be a palm that looks good in your garden next to your other plants. 

California Fan Palm

	botanical name Washingtonia filifera
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 40-80’
	hardiness zones 9-11

California fan palm is native to California, and it grows well throughout the state into coastal Oregon. It’s a stately specimen that towers over other types of California palm trees. Without trimming, it’s old, dead leaves will persist on the trunk and form a shaggy coat. 

Annual trimming keeps this palm variety stately and neat. It also prevents the trees from becoming fire hazards. The leftover dead leaves are dry and brittle, and they’re highly combustible. Underneath the shaggy, dead foliage lies a brown-gray trunk that grows pockmarks over time. 

This species works well in urban and rural landscapes in frost-free zones. It dislikes soggy soil, and it’s more drought-tolerant than most tropical palm trees.

Canton Fishtail Palm

	botanical name Caryota mitis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 25’
	hardiness zones 9-10

Fishtail palms are unlike any of the other types of California palm trees! They feature stunning leaves that decorate the fronds in a feather-type fashion. The leaves look like fish tails, and they resemble the foliage of the gingko tree.

The Canton fishtail palm is one of the hardiest species, surviving well to 26°F (-3°C). The main trunks produce flowers and fruits, though you don’t want to touch them; the fruits have tiny crystals that cause severe itchiness. 

After flowering and fruiting, the main trunk will die. New shoots emerge from the base to replace them, and they’ll grow tall to flower and fruit again. 

Chilean Wine Palm

	botanical name Jubaea chilensis
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 50-80’
	hardiness zones 7-10

Chilean wine palms are trees with impressive trunks that can reach three feet across. They retain scars where their old leaves used to grow, and they line the trunks in ornamental patterns. Atop the thick trunks sprout lush fronds.

The feather-type fronds dance and sing when the wind blows, and they make lovely sounds when rain falls on them. They take up a lot of space, so give them plenty of space to spread in your California garden.

Surprisingly hardy, Chilean wine palms survive winter temperatures to 20°F (-7°C). Add mulch above their roots during the winter to ensure they survive. 

Coconut Palm

	botanical name Cocos nucifera
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 50-100’
	hardiness zones 10-12

The famous coconut palm is both ornamental and productive. It produces edible coconuts that you may harvest and enjoy. The only downside is that you’ll have to climb the trees to get them!

Atop the stately trunks sprout lush fronds with feather-type leaves similar to the previous species. They’re glossy and green, and they shine under the light of the summer sun. 

Coconut palms are tropical trees with impressive adaptability. They grow well in salty conditions, and they fare well in dry sites of the inland valleys.

Date Palm

	botanical name Phoenix dactylifera
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 80-100’
	hardiness zones 9-12

Like coconut palms, date palms are iconic trees. These giant specimens grow wide and tall, and they’re not suitable for most home gardens. They need lots of space, and they require annual maintenance to remove the dates. Or, snip the flowers so dates don’t form.

Date palm trees are reliably hardy to 20°F (-7°C), though they sometimes survive through colder temperatures. Native to the Mideast, these trees prefer well-drained soil and warm, sunny growing seasons to thrive.

If you don’t have space for this impressive species, try growing the pygmy species instead. Phoenix roebelenii is less cold-hardy, but it stops growing taller after reaching about 10 feet tall. 

King Palm

	botanical name Archontophoenix cunninghamiana
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 40-60’
	hardiness zones 9-11

King palms are the kings of the trees. They’re native to Australia, where growers call them bungalows and piccabeen palms. The leaves arch up and out, and pink-white flowers sprout below them.

The flowers are beautiful and full of pollen and nectar for pollinators, but they draw energy away from leaf production. Snip them off with a pole trimmer if you’d like to promote leafy growth, and leave them to grow if you enjoy seeing the blooms.

These trees grow best in frost-free regions with mild winters. They need occasional irrigation in Southern California, and they dislike growing in cold, mountainous areas in other parts of the state. When young, they thrive in pots and containers.

Lady Palm

	botanical name Rhapis excelsa
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 5-12’
	hardiness zones 9-11

Lady palms are stunning both indoors and outside. They thrive in shady sites where other trees struggle, and they stay at a manageable height, under 12 feet. Grow them in containers, or use them to line walkways and borders. 

If indoor plants are slow-growing, they may need more light. The palm species thrives in low light, but it prefers bright, indirect light indoors. Keep it near a sunny windowsill, or add grow lights to brighten the space.

Outdoors, these small trees grow well in warm parts of California. Plant them underneath taller trees and shrubs where they’ll thrive in the dappled shade beneath the canopy. 

Loulu Lelo

	botanical name Pritchardia hillebrandii
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 20’
	hardiness zones 10-12

Loulu lelos are native to Hawaii, where they grow wild in coastal regions. In California, they similarly thrive on the coast, where the temperature stays mild throughout the year. Loulu lelos prefer cool winds, lots of sunlight, and ample moisture throughout the year. 

When they thrive, these types of California palm trees reach a medium height of around 20 feet. The fan leaves gain a blue hue under direct sunlight, and they’re impressive against a plain backdrop. Plant these specimens next to pools and water features to make a tropical oasis in your backyard!

In Hawaii, these trees thrive further inland in home gardens. Give them well-drained soil to help them thrive through rainstorms. 

Mediterranean Fan Palm

	botanical name Chamaerops humilis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 20’
	hardiness zones 9-11

Unlike most types of California palm trees, this species grows wild throughout Europe. It prefers conditions similar to those in the Mediterranean, hence its common name, the Mediterranean fan palm. It’s surprisingly cold-tolerant, and it grows better in temperate regions of California than most other species. 

This fan type has divided fronds that rustle in the wind. It sprouts multiple trunks from its base, and you may encourage them into single or multi-stem forms. Snip the suckers if you want a single trunk.

In zone 8a, grow this species in pots and bring them indoors for the winter. It’ll survive brief periods with temperatures as low as 0°F (-18°C) in California. 

Needle Palm

	botanical name Rhapidophyllum hystrix
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-6’
	hardiness zones 6-10

Native to the southeastern U.S., this species is perfect for home gardens in California! It’s low-growing, incredibly decorative, and surprisingly cold-hardy. It lacks a trunk, and it’s more of a shrub than a tree. It earns its place on this list for its vigorous, strong growth habit.

Growing well in both sun and shade, this specimen fits well in many niches throughout the garden. It loves coastal regions, though it also grows well under the hot climates of inland valleys. Give it regular water to keep its roots moist, but not soggy.

This species is dioecious, meaning separate plants sprout male or female flowers. Grow both types near each other to encourage the fruits to form, but be careful not to touch them! They have spines that are as sharp as needles. 

Palmetto

	botanical name Sabal palmetto
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12-35’
	hardiness zones 7-11

Palmetto is another species native to the U.S. It grows wild throughout coastal regions of the southeastern U.S., and it’s highly cold-tolerant. Drought-tolerant and flood-tolerant, it’s perfect for coastal regions of California. 

Palmettos stay under 20 feet, on average, in gardens. They grow taller in their native habitat, where they receive the conditions they prefer. Give them plenty of sunlight; they don’t like shady conditions, and they’ll stay small if they grow in the shade.

The best part of the palmetto is its flowers. They attract pollinators in droves, and you’ll see dozens of bees and insects hovering about them during the warm months. 

Pindo Palm

	botanical name Butia capitata
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 10-35’
	hardiness zones 8-11

A lesser-known palm, the pindo palm tree, grows edible fruits. It’s an excellent specimen if you like making jellies, jams, or wines. The stringy flesh is difficult to eat, but it’s full of juice that’s deliciously sweet. 

As garden specimens, pindo palms are stately. Their long fronds droop downwards, creating a lush display with the needle-like fronds. Old fronds leave a stub when they fall. Trim them off at the same length to create a more pleasing display. 

These trees prefer sunny conditions, well-drained soil, and warm temperatures. They’re native to South America, and they survive cold temperatures as low as 15°F (-9°C).

Queen Palm

	botanical name Syagrus romanzoffiana
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 50-70’
	hardiness zones 9-11

Don’t forget the queen palm. Grow it next to the king palm to complete the royal family. This specimen originates from Brazil, where it reaches impressive heights in its natural habitat. 

Queen palms thrive throughout California in warm regions with mild winters. They’re moderately tolerant of frosts; they’ll suffer damage when temperatures reach 16°F (-9°C), though they’ll likely recover if the weather warms.

These trees need regular watering to thrive. They definitely need extra irrigation in warm parts of Southern California. Grow them in free-draining, acidic soil to ensure their roots don’t rot. 

Royal Palm

	botanical name Roystonea regia
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 50-100’
	hardiness zones 10-11

Royal palms are, indeed, royal. They grow tall, and their trunks are smooth and gray with a green upper portion. They’re stunning en masse, whether they grow in a clump or in a row. 

Line your walkways, borders, and buildings with royal palm trees. Their giant fronds may reach 10 to 20 feet long, and they are graceful as they shake and shimmer in the wind. 

These types of California palm trees are fast-growing. They’ll grow quickly when they have moist, well-draining soil and plenty of direct sunlight. Feed them frequently so they have all the nutrients they need to thrive. 

Windmill Palm

	botanical name Trachycarpus fortunei
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 10-40’
	hardiness zones 7-11

Windmill palm trees grow wild in China, where they reach impressive heights. They’re very cold-hardy, and they’ll grow as far north as Oregon! They’ll thrive throughout California, except for in places with frequent, strong winds.