Companion planting around palm trees creates a lush, layered landscape that complements their tropical aesthetic. Thoughtful plant selection enhances garden beauty, integrating a natural feel around these majestic trees.
Benefits and Key Considerations
Companion planting offers several advantages, contributing to a healthier garden ecosystem. Strategically placed plants suppress weeds by covering bare soil. Ground cover regulates soil temperature, keeping palm roots cooler in hot climates and warmer in cooler periods. Some companion plants create a localized microclimate, increasing humidity around the palm, benefiting certain tropical understory plants. It also enhances pest and disease resistance and reduces water usage by shading the soil.
Selecting appropriate companion plants requires careful consideration to ensure they thrive. Environmental needs include light exposure, water requirements, and soil drainage. Palm species cast varying shade, so companion plants must tolerate light conditions from full sun to full shade. Consider root competition, as palms have a fibrous, generally shallow root system that spreads widely. Understanding mature size prevents overcrowding and ensures long-term harmony.
Recommended Companion Plants
Groundcovers and Perennials
Low-growing plants are excellent choices beneath palm trees, providing visual interest without excessive resource competition. Ferns (holly, maidenhair, bird’s nest) thrive in palm shade, offering delicate, contrasting foliage. Bromeliads are versatile, tolerating partial to full shade with vibrant, sword-shaped leaves and colorful blooms. Some bromeliads are epiphytic, attaching to palm trunks and drawing nutrients from the air. Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) and Liriope (Liriope muscari) are grass-like perennials forming dense, evergreen groundcover. They tolerate various light conditions, suppress weeds, and are low-maintenance, creating a lush carpet around the palm’s base.
Shrubs
Medium-sized shrubs add structure and color to the palm’s understory, creating a layered effect. Crotons (Codiaeum variegatum) are popular for brightly colored foliage, thriving in USDA zones 10-11; plant them two to three feet from the palm trunk. Ti plants (Cordyline fruticosa), or Hawaiian Ti, offer striking green, pink, and red foliage. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) complements palms with large leaves and distinctive orange blooms. Both prefer bright, indirect light, with Ti plants also needing consistently moist, well-draining soil.
Succulents and Drought-Tolerant Plants
For drier climates or water-wise landscaping, succulents and drought-tolerant plants are suitable companions, sharing well-drained soil preferences with palms. Agave species are striking architectural plants tolerating full sun or partial shade, low-maintenance, and requiring minimal watering once established. Aloe plants, including Aloe vera, are excellent, highly drought-tolerant choices for dry areas, filling spaces. Certain Sedum varieties, particularly creeping stonecrops, serve as groundcovers in sunny or partially shaded spots, thriving in well-drained soil with little supplemental water. Bougainvillea is another vibrant, drought-tolerant option, adding color and usable as groundcover or trained to climb.
Plants to Avoid
Some plants are unsuitable companions due to conflicting needs or aggressive growth habits. Aggressive root systems compete directly with palms for water and nutrients, potentially stunting both; Queen palms, for instance, have dense root systems that outcompete nearby vegetation. Avoid plants requiring high nitrogen fertilizer, as palms have specific nutrient needs and excess nitrogen can be detrimental. Plants needing consistently wet or poorly draining soil are poor choices, as most palms prefer well-drained conditions and can suffer root rot. Species demanding full, direct sun may also struggle in a mature palm’s shade.
Planting and Ongoing Care
Proper planting and consistent care ensure the health and longevity of palms and their companions. Maintain adequate spacing when planting; for instance, crotons 2-3 feet from the palm trunk, and bromeliads 1-2 feet, allowing for mature growth and minimizing root disturbance. Initial watering is important for new plants. Palms and companions typically need daily watering for the first two to three weeks, then every other day for the next two to three weeks, and finally three times a week until established. Slow, deep watering is more effective than shallow, frequent watering, encouraging deeper root growth.
Mulching around palms and companion plants offers numerous benefits. Organic mulch, such as wood chips or pine straw, helps retain soil moisture, reduces evaporation, and suppresses weed growth. Mulch also contributes to soil health by breaking down and releasing nutrients. When fertilizing, use a slow-release palm-specific fertilizer to ensure palms and companions receive adequate nutrients like nitrogen, magnesium, and potassium without over-fertilization. Pruning companion plants as needed maintains their size and shape, preventing overgrowth or obscuring the palm, and ensures good air circulation.