A Brief Synopsis of Readily Available Palms not Necessarily Recommended for Central Florida
by Ray Hernandez
reprinted from The Palmateer Vol. III, 2000

Central Florida is a palm paradise to the casual observer and the infrequent visitor. To this person, a Royal Palm, Spindle Palm, Christmas Palm, and other tropical palms live and flourish in a climate that seems to suggest that the sky is the limit. Unfortunately, the natives and long time transplants know that this is rarely if ever the case. In fact, with the exception of the last 10 years, the latter half of the 20th century was quite cold and disheartening for the average palm buff. Most of us have had to deal with the heartache that accompanies the loss or severe damage to our favorite palm. Let’s face it, at some point we have fallen in love with a tropical palm that has become an integral part of our landscape. We know going in that it should never have been planted to begin with. Still we persist hoping that the past doesn’t repeat itself in the remainder of our lifetimes. Here are some statistics that might make us cringe but are factual nonetheless. The temperatures may vary a few degrees depending on colder or warmer microclimates. All temperatures were recorded at Tampa International Airport and are the lowest during that particular freeze event. In addition, a total number of consecutive nights below freezing are listed.

Dates	Lowest Temperature	Freezing Nights
Feb. 4,5, 1958	24	2
Dec. 12-14, 1962	18	3
Jan. 30,31, 1966	24	2
Jan. 8-11, 1970	24	4
Jan. 20,21, 1971	23	2
Jan. 18-22, 1977	26	5
Jan. 12-14, 1981	22	3
Jan. 11,12, 1982	24	2
Dec. 25-27, 1983	19	3
Jan. 21-23, 1985	21	3
Dec. 26-27, 1985	27	2
Dec. 23-25, 1989	24	3
Feb. 4,5, 1996	25	2

Of course, these are only the most severe freezes of the last 40 years. Other less severe but still damaging freezes occurred on dates not listed here. The current trend at Home Depot and Wal-Mart is to sell tropical palms not intended for our climate to the unknowing public. I’m not talking about the marginal palms that have a good chance of surviving for 5 or more years. More so, let’s focus on the ones that are sure to be fatalities the first time the thermometer touches 28F. Here is a list of what seems to be popping up in people’s yards and probably shouldn’t be:

1. Adonidia merrilii (Christmas or Manila Palm) - A very beautiful palm that thrives in the southern third of the state. The palm is damaged at temps right around freezing and is completely intolerant of frost. Cold damage to the fronds begins around 34 degrees and the damage to fronds in the bud persists well into summer even after freeze-less winters. The palm is recommended for container planting as its trunk and canopy remain relatively small.
2. Hyophorbe lagenicualis (Bottle Palm) - Only recently available at Home Depot, this gorgeous gem is slightly more tropical than Adonidia. The palms small stature and relative slow rate of growth lend it to container planting. Again as above, consistently cool temps above freezing damage foliage and makes the palm look ratty well into summer. The plant dies at or very near 32F especially if no trunk has formed. Add a degree or two cold hardiness when full grown.
3. Ptychosperma elegans (Seaforthia or Solitaire Palm) - Extremely common at retail stores and nurseries throughout our area (often labeled Adonidia). This palm reaches a height of 30’ and is unmanageable with regards to cold protection. Like Adonidia, Solitaire palms are intolerant of frost and perish between 28-30F. This palm also suffers from nutritional deficiencies at cold temperatures above freezing.
4. Cocos nucifera (Coconut palm) - This palm has been a mainstay at Home depot with large 10 gallon plants often available. These palms survive in many areas for years at a time developing into a nice landscaping piece to be proud of. Its rapid rate of growth further makes it desirable in attaining “the tropical look”. Unfortunately, the loss of specimens with 10 feet of trunk or more is not uncommon in a severe freeze. The old Clearwater Beach Hotel lost several large 30 footers in the 1958 freeze. Those particular specimens had been growing there for 10 years or more.
5. Roystonea regia (Cuban Royal Palm) - I really would like to keep this one off the list however facts are facts. Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa was once lined with them in the early 50’s. Before 1983, about 10 remained. Today, one remains in a location nudged between a three-story mansion and an ancient live oak. Again, as with the Coconut, this palms has a pretty good rate of growth and can become a wonderful landscape addition in a short amount of time. A hard freeze of 27F or lower however will kill younger specimens and severely damage, defoliate, and possibly kill adult trees. There are large specimens that have survived throughout Central Florida. This one has the best chance of survival on the list.
6. Veitchia sp. - In my humble opinion, these are some of the most beautiful palms in the world. They are very fast growers that reach heights in excess of 30’ quickly responding to water and fertilization with vigorous growth. Unfortunately, they absolutely hate frost, wind chills, and will perish somewhere in the neighborhood of 30-32F. This may be the most tempting of all when you are staring at a cute, little one gallon specimen.

This being said, there are hardier individual specimens that are exceptions to the rule. It is also important to note extreme coastal areas and other warmer microclimates often provide safe haven in our coldest winters. For the rest of us who live in the cooler parts of the central third and choose to try one of the palms listed above, four factors will impact your success or failure. These factors consist of:

1. Care given the palm - Correct fertilization and water in dry periods keep the palms healthy.
2. Individuals Cold Tolerance - Certain individual palms within one genus may be slightly more cold tolerant than another. Getting a hardy tropical is like winning the lottery!!
3. Microclimate - This one cannot be stressed enough. Away from coastal areas, the south wall, shade tree canopies, mulch, and artificial means of protection provide the best chances for survival.
4. Age of the Palm - The older the specimen you plant, the greater its chance of surviving freezes. It’s well worth buying the 20ft Royal or Coconut if you must have them.

Unfortunately, only three of the above four items are within our control. Many people will claim to have the most cold hardy Bottle Palm or Adonidia. Chances are, they have inadvertently met item 2 listed above. I wish all the available tropical palms originated from seed of these hardy individuals. Reality is, the majority of these palms are not meant for our climate.