Palms are synonymous with luxury and relaxation, and they can effortlessly elevate your desert landscape. These iconic trees offer a variety of sizes, shapes, and textures, making them versatile additions to any outdoor space. Whether you desire a solitary statement piece or a lush oasis with varieties that clump, there’s a palm tree perfect for your garden.
Let’s explore the art of planting, caring for, and selecting the ideal palms for your Southern Nevada oasis.
Planting Your Palm
Timing is Key: The ideal time to plant palms in the Desert Southwest is between April through September when temperatures are consistently warm. This allows for quicker establishment and better root development.
Soil Preparation: Palms prefer well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Incorporate Dr Q’s Paydirt Planting Mix into the planting hole to enhance soil quality and drainage.
Planting Process: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and plant at the same depth as it was in the container. Backfill with amended soil. Mix 1-part Paydirt Planting Mix to 2 parts native soil. Add Dr. Q’s® Gold Dust Starter Fertilizer per package instructions. Plant palms so the top of the root ball is level with the top of the planting area. See Star Note 001, Planting Guide, for detailed planting instructions.
Nourishing Your Palms for Optimal Growth
Choose the Right Fertilizer: Opt for a specialized palm fertilizer formulated with slow-release nitrogen, magnesium, and manganese. Dr. Q’s Palm Tree Food is an excellent choice.
Fertilization Schedule: Apply fertilizer during the growing season only, typically from May to September. Aim for two to three applications per year.
Recognizing Nutrient Deficiencies:
Magnesium Deficiency: Look for bright yellow bands on the outer portions of palm fronds.
Manganese Deficiency: Observe stunted, distorted new growth that may appear yellow initially.
Nitrogen Deficiency: Notice an overall pale green color, with older fronds exhibiting the most pronounced yellowing.
Palm Care Essentials
Watering: While palms are drought-tolerant once established, regular deep watering is essential for optimal growth. Reduce watering frequency during winter months when the plant is dormant.
Pruning: Remove brown fronds to maintain the palm’s appearance and health. Avoid excessive pruning, especially during winter months, as the fronds provide nutrients & protection from cold temperatures.
Common Palm Problems:
Yellowing Fronds: This can indicate nutrient deficiencies (magnesium or nitrogen), overwatering, or underwatering.
Brown Tips: This is often caused by excessive fertilization or salt buildup.
Pests and Diseases: Watch for signs of pests like scales or mealybugs, and treat them accordingly. By following these guidelines, you can successfully cultivate beautiful palms in your desert oasis.
POPULAR PALM VARIETIES: These are varieties most often planted successfully in Southern Nevada.
Towering Palms
California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera): This California and Arizona native species boasts a wide trunk and large, fan-shaped leaves with distinctive thread-like fibers. Reaching heights of 40 feet or more with a spread of 15 feet, it’s a majestic choice for spacious gardens. Don’t force this one into a small area or it will cause problems as it grows to maturity. Very tolerant of extreme summer heat, it is arguably the hardiest of large palms and accepts cold to about 10 degrees.
Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis): Known for its graceful form and pineapple-shaped trunk, this palm can grow up to 30 feet tall with an 18-foot spread. Its lush, feathery foliage and potential to produce edible dates make it a popular option. Foliage is damaged around 20 degrees, but the palm will survive and recover.
Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera): This tall and slender palm is the commercial date producer. It often develops multiple trunks, referred to as suckers, and can reach heights of 50 feet or more. Be cautious of thorns on younger plants. Fronds are killed at 20 degrees, but the palm usually recovers.
Medium-Sized Palms
Mediterranean Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis): Versatile and adaptable, this palm features multiple trunks and blue-green foliage. It reaches a mature height of 12-15 feet and is well-suited for both large and small spaces. It naturally produces many trunks and left untrimmed resembles a large “palm bush.” Fronds are edged with sharp thorns. It’s drought and wind-resistant and has survived temperatures as low as 5 degrees.
Mexican Blue Fan Palm (Brahea armata): Beautiful accent palm has waxy, silvery-blue fronds that retain their color until parallel with the trunk. Excellent dry landscape specimen! Very slow growing to 30 feet or so, it has a crown of 8 to 12 feet and produces stalks of fragrant, creamy white flowers in spring. The “Blue” takes drought, heat, and wind extremely well and tolerates freezing temperatures to about 18 degrees.
Mexican Fan Palm (Washingtonia robusta): Perhaps the most frequently planted palm in the Desert Southwest,this rapidly growing palm is known for its tall, slender trunk and bright green, fan-shaped leaves. It can reach heights of 40 to 80 feet, and sports a compact, 7 to 12-foot-wide head, making it a dramatic addition to the landscape. This palm takes drought and poor soil but grows faster and nicer with better conditions. Tolerates 20-degree temperatures but suffers frond damage. Palm usually recovers. Watch out for sharp thorns on fronds!
Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei): This palm is extremely well suited for Southern Nevada landscapes. Named for stiff, windmill-shaped fronds, it’s compact, and handsome and makes an excellent accent, screen, or container subject. It grows slowly to about 15 feet with a 7-8 foot crown; dense, hairy fibers cover the trunk. Will accept regular water but does just fine with deep, widely spaced irrigation once established. Looks best when kept from high winds; tolerates extreme heat; hardy to 10 degrees.
Smaller Palms
Pigmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii): This interesting, fine-leafed variety makes an excellent potted palm for a house or patio. The plant grows slowly to 6 feet or more with a soft, dense crown. Give it regular water, avoid intense afternoon sun, and cover or bring it indoors to protect it from freezing temperatures. Best inside with bright, indirect light. Use an all-purpose potting mix when transplanting.
Pindo Palm (Butia capitata): Graceful, hardy palm with feathery, strongly arching, gray-green leaves. Develops a heavy, strongly patterned trunk which is very attractive when frond stems are trimmed to the same length. Grows slowly to 10-15 feet with a crown spreading to about 15 feet at maturity. Females bear large clusters of edible fruit with a pineapple-like flavor. Excellent landscape accent. Give it average water, and control soil pH with sulfur products; hardy to about 15 degrees.
Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta): Not actually a “Palm” – so DO NOT fertilize in summer. Has smooth, airy fronds resembling ferns mark this beautiful, very unusual plant. It grows very slowly to about 10 feet and looks like a palm as it ages, but is a primitive, cone-bearing plant related to the conifers. It has survived, virtually unchanged for millions of years. Long, feathery leaves grow from the top of the trunk. Pups at the base can be transplanted. Excellent container plant; gives a nice tropical look. Keep out of the afternoon sun; water deeply and infrequently. Protect from severe cold. Hardy to about 20 degrees.
Note: Palm care includes proper watering, fertilization, and protection from extreme weather conditions. Always consult with a local nursery for specific care recommendations based on your region and climate.