Last Updated on June 25, 2023 by Kimberly Crawford
Are you looking for a beautiful and exotic addition to your landscape? Consider adding one of the best small or dwarf palm trees! These trees are perfect for adding a touch of the tropics to your yard, and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of small or dwarf palm trees, as well as provide information on some of the best varieties available. We hope that you will consider adding one of these majestic trees to your landscape!
Related: 31+ Popular Types Of Palm Trees With Pictures
Types Of Small Palm Trees
1. Adonidia Palm (Adonidia merrillii)
The Adonidia Palm is a small to medium sized palm that is perfect for any landscape. This palm can reach heights of up to 20 feet, but is typically much smaller. The Adonidia Palm has a slender trunk with beautiful, deep green leaves. This palm is perfect for any home or office landscape.
The Adonidia Palm is native to the Philippines and is also known as the Christmas Palm. This palm is named for its beautiful red fruits that appear in December. The Adonidia Palm is an evergreen palm, meaning it will keep its leaves year-round.
This palm does best in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. The Adonidia Palm is drought tolerant and low maintenance, making it the perfect palm for any landscape.
2. Bottle Palm (Hyophorbe lagenicaulis).
This is a palm that originates from Mauritius and Reunion Island which are both in the Indian Ocean. It’s a small to medium sized palm that gets to around 15 feet tall with a slender trunk.
The Bottle Palm gets its name from its swollen base which resembles an old-fashioned bottle or genie lamp. The leaves of the Bottle Palm are about three feet long and are pinnate with around 20 leaflets.
The leaflets are arranged in a V-shape and have serrated (toothed) edges. Bottle Palms are slow growers and can take several years to reach their full height.
They’re also very drought tolerant once established and can tolerate salt spray making them ideal palms for coastal gardens.
Bottle Palms are best grown in full sun but will tolerate some shade. They’re also quite cold hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Cat Palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum).
If you are looking for a super low-maintenance palm that will not grow too large, the Cat Palm is perfect for you! This plant is native to Mexico and only grows to about six feet tall.
It has beautiful, dark green leaves and thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. The Cat Palm is also one of the most affordable palms on the market, making it a great option for budget-minded gardeners.
This plant is perfect for small spaces and can even be grown in containers. Just make sure to provide good drainage and water regularly. With a little love and care, your Cat Palm will thrive for years to come!
4. Christmas Palm or Manila palm (Adonidia merrillii).
The Christmas palm is a small to medium sized palm that grows 20-40 feet tall. It has a slender trunk with smooth, greenish-brown bark and pinnate leaves that are dark green above and silver-green below.
The Christmas palm is native to the Philippines and is widely cultivated in the tropics. It is an popular ornamental palm and is also used in the cut flower industry.
The Christmas palm is a relatively slow growing palm, but it can tolerate a wide range of conditions including full sun, partial shade, and even full shade.
It is drought tolerant once established and does not require much fertilizer or water. The Christmas palm can be propagated by seed or by division of the suckers that form around the base of the palm.
5. Coontie Palm (Zamia floridana).
This species of palm is an excellent choice for small yards or gardens. It grows slowly to about 15 feet tall and has a spread of about 12 feet.
The Coontie Palm is very drought tolerant and can handle salt spray, making it a good choice for coastal areas. This palm does best in full sun but can tolerate some shade. It is hardy in zones nine through eleven.
The Coontie Palm is an evergreen and its fronds can grow up to six feet long. This palm produces small, yellowish-brown flowers that are followed by black berries. The berries are poisonous to people but are a favorite food of the Florida Scrub Jay.
6. Dwarf Majesty Palm (Ravenea hildebrandtii).
The Ravenea genus of palms is from Madagascar and this species is one of the most popular. It’s a solitary palm, meaning it doesn’t produce offsets (or “pups”), so what you see is what you get.
The leaf stems (petioles) are armed with sharp spines so use caution when handling them. This palm grows slowly to about 20 feet and prefers full sun.
It’s tolerant of a wide range of soils as long as they’re well-draining. This palm is also one of the more cold tolerant Ravenea species, making it ideal for landscaping in USDA hardiness zones 9b-11.
This slow grower reaches a height of about 20 feet at maturity with a slender trunk that is covered in a brown fiber. The leaves are pinnate and about six feet long with narrow, lanceolate leaflets.
The Dwarf Majesty Palm is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers grow on separate plants. The small yellowish-white flowers are borne on inflorescences that emerge from among the leaf axils.
The flowers are followed by black fruits that ripen and fall to the ground to be eaten by birds and other animals, which helps with seed dispersal.
7. Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor).
Dwarf Palmetto is a small palm that is perfect for yards with limited space. It grows well in both sun and shade, and can tolerate a wide range of soils. This palm is also very drought-tolerant once it is established.
This is one of the most popular palms for landscaping in the southern United States. It’s a tough little tree that can take a lot of abuse and still look good. And it’s very drought tolerant once it’s established. If you’re looking for a small palm to add to your landscape, this is a good choice.
8. Dwarf Sugar Palm (Arenga engleri).
A medium to large sized palm, the Dwarf Sugar Palm is a great choice for smaller yards or as an indoor plant. It’s perfect for poolside plantings and can even be used as a houseplant.
The Arenga engleri is a fast grower, reaching up to 20 feet tall in just a few years. This palm has a slender trunk with bright green, feathery leaves.
The Dwarf Sugar Palm is native to Malaysia and Indonesia and does best in full sun to partial shade. It’s a hardy palm that can tolerate most soil types as long as it is well-drained.
This palm is also drought tolerant once it’s established. Arenga engleri is a monotypic genus, meaning that it contains only one species.
9. Florida Thatch Palm (Thrinax radiate).
This is a small palm that grows to about 15 feet. It has a slender trunk and palmate leaves. The Florida Thatch Palm is native to Cuba and the Bahamas, but it can be found in many parts of Florida. This palm does best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil.
The Florida Thatch Palm is a popular landscape palm in Florida. It is often used as a specimen tree or in mass plantings. This palm is salt tolerant and can be used in coastal areas.
10. Mazari Palm (Nannorrhops ritchiana).
This palm is from the Middle East and has very pretty blue-green leaves. It can get up to 15 feet tall, but is often seen much smaller. It does best in full sun and is drought tolerant once established.
This palm is also cold hardy and can handle temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Mazari Palm is a great choice for those looking for a small or dwarf palm tree.
11. Mediterranean Dwarf Palm or European Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis).
If you are looking for a small or dwarf palm that is super tough and can take the cold, this is the one!
It’s native to the mountains of southern Europe and has been known to withstand temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius.
The fronds are fan-shaped and grow up to about a meter in length. It’s a slow grower, so don’t expect it to get too big.
12. Needle palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix).
This species is the northernmost naturally occurring palm in the world and can be found in some parts of the southeastern United States. It is a small to medium-sized palm that typically grows to 15-20 feet tall.
The leaves are dark green and have sharp, needle-like leaflets that give this palm its common name. Needle palms are very cold-hardy and can tolerate temperatures as low as -15 degrees Fahrenheit. They are also quite drought-tolerant once established.
13. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans).
If you’re looking for a small, easy-to-grow palm, the Parlor Palm is an excellent choice. It can grow up to six feet tall indoors, but can be easily kept smaller with regular pruning.
This palm does best in bright, indirect light but can also tolerate lower light levels. Keep the soil evenly moist and fertilize monthly during the growing season.
14. Pindo Palm (Butia capitata).
The Pindo Palm is a hardy, cold-tolerant palm that can be found in the southeastern United States. It is also known as the Jelly Palm because its fruit can be made into jelly.
The Pindo Palm grows to a height of 20 feet and has a spreading canopy of fronds. It is an excellent choice for a small or dwarf palm tree.
15. Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii).
If you are looking for a miniature palm that is still quite attractive, the Pygmy Date Palm is a good choice. It only gets to be about 15 feet tall and has graceful, drooping fronds.
This palm does best in full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant once established and can also handle short periods of flooding.
Pygmy Date Palms are native to southeastern Asia and are often used as houseplants. They can be difficult to find in nurseries, but are worth the search.
16. Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta).
The sago palm is a small to medium sized plant that typically grows to about 15 feet tall. It has a short, trunk-like stem with a crown of long, stiff leaves.
The sago palm is native to Japan and China, but it has been introduced to many other parts of the world. It is a popular ornamental plant, and it is also used in the production of sago flour.
The sago palm is a dioecious plant, meaning that there are male and female plants. The male plants produce pollen, while the female plants produce ovules.
Pollination occurs when the pollen from the male plant comes into contact with the ovule of the female plant. After pollination, the ovule develops into a seed.
The sago palm is a slow-growing plant, and it can take many years to reach full size. It is also a long-lived plant, with some specimens living for over 100 years.
The sago palm is relatively easy to care for, and it does not require a lot of maintenance. It is an ideal plant for those who want a low-maintenance, long-lived palm tree.
17. Saw Palmetto (Sereona).
It has a smooth trunk with beautiful green fronds that arch gracefully. This palm is perfect for small gardens or as an accent plant in larger landscapes.
If you are looking for a low maintenance, drought tolerant palm, then the Saw Palmetto is a great choice.
18. Short Bottle Palm (Hyophorbe lagenicaulis).
If you’re looking for a small or dwarf palm tree to brighten up your indoor space, the Short Bottle Palm is a great option.
This unique palm has a slender trunk and grows to a height of about six feet, making it perfect for smaller rooms or offices.
The Short Bottle Palm is also relatively easy to care for, requiring only occasional watering and occasional misting to keep its leaves healthy and vibrant.
19. Spindle Palm (Hyophorbe verschaffeltii).
The Spindle Palm is a small to medium sized palm that can reach up to 15 feet in height. The leaves are long and narrow with spines along the margins. The flowers are white and borne in clusters at the leaf axils. The fruit is a black drupe with a single seed.
The Spindle Palm is native to Madagascar and is commonly grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. It is also used in landscaping and as a houseplant.
The Spindle Palm is tolerant of drought and salt spray making it an ideal palm for coastal areas. It can also be grown in containers making it an excellent choice for patio or deck plants.
20. Triangle Palm Tree (Dypsis decaryi).
This is one of the most popular palms for indoor use. It has a slow growth rate and can reach a height of only six feet, making it ideal for small spaces.
The leaves are triangular in shape and have a silvery-green color. The Triangle Palm is native to Madagascar and does best in warm, humid climates.
21. Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortune).
If you’re looking for a tough palm that can take the cold, this is the one. It’s hardy in USDA zones 7-11.
Windmill palms are an excellent choice for those who want to add a touch of the tropics to their landscape but don’t have a lot of space. These small palms reach a height of only 20 feet (or less), making them perfect for small yards or patio gardens.
Related:
- The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Your Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
- Foxtail Palm (Wodyetia bifurcata) Care: How to Keep Your Foxtail Palm Healthy
- Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii) Care
- European Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis) Care
What is the name of the dwarf palm tree?
The scientific name for the dwarf palm tree is Phoenix roebelenii. It is a species of palm tree that is native to Southeast Asia. The dwarf palm tree is also known as the pygmy date palm, miniature date palm, and Robellini Palm.
The dwarf palm tree grows to a height of about 15 feet and has a trunk that is about 12 inches in diameter. The leaves of the dwarf palm tree are pinnate, or feather-like, and they are about 18 inches long.
The flowers of the dwarf palm tree are yellowish-white and they grow in clusters. The fruit of the dwarf palm tree is a drupe, or a fleshy fruit with a hard seed, that is about an inch in diameter.
The dwarf palm tree is cultivated in many parts of the world for its ornamental value. It is often used as a houseplant or in landscaping.
How tall do dwarf palm trees get?
Dwarf palm trees are a popular choice for landscaping and home gardens because of their small size. But how tall do these mini palms actually get?
On average, dwarf palm trees grow to be about 12 feet tall. However, some varieties can reach up to 20 feet in height. The tallest dwarf palm tree on record is the Canary Island Date Palm, which can grow up to 40 feet tall.
Conclusion
The best small or dwarf palm trees for your landscape are the ones that will provide you with the look and feel that you desire. There is no one “right” tree, but these five varieties are all excellent choices that will add beauty and value to your home. Do some research to find the variety that best suits your needs, and then enjoy the tropical look and feel that palm trees bring to your yard. Thanks for reading!