Southern Louisana is one of the few places outside of the tropics where palms are known to thrive. In particular, New Orleans palm trees have become a city staple. These are some of the New Orleans palm trees that grow best in Crescent City.
New Orleans Palm Trees
Here are 15 varieties of palm trees that can be found growing in New Orleans:
Arenga Palm
Arenga Palms are otherwise known as dwarf sugar palms. These slow-growing trees reach heights of up to eight feet. Attractive pinnate leaves create fan-like fronds, making them an ornamental favorite for locals.
Cabbage Palm
This species is native to nearby states like Florida and other regions of the southeast coast. The Cabbage Palm reaches up to 40 feet tall. The name of this tree reflects the immature leaves, which are edible with a slight cabbage flavor.
Canary Island Date Palm
Whimsical feathery leaves top the Canary Island Date Palm, providing a great decorative option. Another distinguishing feature of this tree is its thick trunk, which grows up to three feet wide. In the summer, female plants flower and fruit.
Chinese Fan Palm
One of the most popular indoor palms, the Chinese Fan Palm grows even better outdoors. In correct conditions, they grow up to 30 feet tall. The pattern of the leaves of this palm has led to the nickname the fountain palm.
Dwarf Palmetto
A small palm species that only reach between two and ten feet high, the Dwarf Palmetto is native to southeastern North America. This broad-leafed evergreen is drought tolerant and produces small fruits.
Lady Palm
Lady Palm prefers shade or partial shade and grows best in moist soil. This palm produces bunches of fan leaves. Trees spread in clusters when grown outdoors. Maintenance may be required to keep them where intended.
Mediterranean Fan Palm
The Mediterranean Fan Palm, also known as the European Fan Palm, is a cold-resistant, shrub-like palm. Pruning helps the tree grow with a singular trunk; otherwise, spread makes this species bushy. Broad fanning leaves are the distinctive feature of this palm.
Needle Palm
Another native to the American South, the Needle Palm is a bushy variety. They only grow as tall as eight feet and are more likely to spread out. Leaves from this palm are fan-shaped and green. The name comes from the needle-like spines growing on the trunk.
Pindo Palm
A slow-growing species, Pindo Palms only reach up to 20 feet in height. These trees are also called Jelly Palms and do well in low moisture climates and tolerate cooler weather than most. The leaves of the Pindo Palm are an attractive silvery green.
Queen Palm
A close relative of the Pindo Palm, Queen Palms sometimes hybridize, creating offspring called mule palms. These hybrids do well in the cold, while Queen Palm does not. However, they are prized for their long trunks and fanning foliage.
Saw Palmetto
Saw Palmetto is native to the Southeast United States and a favorite landscape choice. This multi-trunked palm likes to spread out in clumps up to ten feet wide. Sliver-blue leaves are a defining characteristic of the Saw Palmetto.
Senegal Date Palm
The Senegal Date Palm looks like a tree at rest. The trunks are curved and topped with large feather-shaped leaves. This palm produces small date fruits, which are reddish brown and grow to about an inch long.
Texas Palmetto
Texas Palmetto are slow growers but can reach up to 50 feet high over time. When mature, they grow flowers on branched stalks that grow to eight feet tall. Tall trees often have a “skirt” of dead leaves along the trunk with live leaves at the top of the palm.
Washington Palm
One of the largest palms on the list, Washington Palms, grows over 100 feet tall. Even the leaves of this tree span three feet in width. They grow quickly but also need the right conditions to succeed. Full sun and rich soil are required to help Washington Palms thrive.
Windmill Palm
Recognizable for its spiny trunk, the Windmill Palm is one of the most popular New Orleans palm trees because of its low-maintenance nature. Mature Windmill Palms grow up to 25 feet tall and have bright green leaves.