Palm trees are highly desired for their ability to instantly transform a space and provide a tropical aesthetic. Homeowners often face the challenge of incorporating these plants into smaller suburban yards, patios, or confined indoor environments. Since most palm species eventually develop into towering specimens, they are generally unsuitable for restricted areas where height is a concern. Fortunately, many naturally compact and slow-growing palms exist that provide the desired look without demanding excessive space. This guide identifies species best suited for remaining small, whether planted directly in the ground or maintained in containers.
Establishing Criteria for Small Palms
Defining a “small” palm primarily involves considering its maximum mature height, generally meaning varieties that peak under 15 feet when grown in the ground. This height limitation ensures the palm remains manageable near structures, utility lines, or beneath lower ceilings indoors. The palm’s inherent growth rate is also significant; slow-growing species are preferred because they maintain their smaller stature for many years. The structural form, distinguishing between solitary palms and clumping palms, also plays a role. While vertical growth is the main concern, the overall canopy spread must also be considered, as a short palm with a wide crown is inappropriate for a narrow yard.
Dwarf Species for Landscape Planting
For small yards or restricted landscape beds, several palm species naturally maintain a manageable stature when planted directly into the soil.
Needle Palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix)
The Needle Palm rarely exceeds 6 to 10 feet in height, often forming a dense, shrub-like clump of foliage. This species is notably cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to approximately -10 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes it suitable for temperate regions outside the typical palm zones where larger palms cannot survive.
Mediterranean Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis)
Also known as the European Fan Palm, this popular choice typically reaches a maximum height between 8 and 15 feet. It is recognized for its multi-trunk, clumping growth habit, providing a dense, bushy appearance. It exhibits good drought tolerance and is hardy to around 10 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing it to thrive in varied climates.
Pindo Palm (Butia capitata)
The Pindo Palm, sometimes called the Jelly Palm, is a slower-growing option that typically reaches 12 to 20 feet in maturity. Its slow growth rate keeps it small for decades before reaching its final height. Its signature curved, grayish-blue fronds create a compact canopy suitable for narrow planting areas. This variety is cold tolerant, surviving temperatures down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii) and Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor)
The Pygmy Date Palm is a favorite for its compact size and elegant appearance, reaching a maximum height of six to twelve feet. It features graceful, feathery fronds and a slender trunk. The Dwarf Palmetto is typically stemless and seldom grows taller than 5 to 10 feet, making it one of the smallest native palms for landscape use.
Palms Thriving in Containers and Indoors
Palms intended for indoor spaces or covered patios require tolerance for low light and restricted root growth.
Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
The Parlor Palm is the most widely recognized indoor palm, rarely exceeding 6 feet tall when kept in a pot. It tolerates typical indoor humidity levels and low to medium light conditions. This makes it perfectly suited for placement away from bright windows.
Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)
The Lady Palm is appreciated for its dense, clumping growth and slender, cane-like stems, usually maxing out at 6 to 14 feet in height. This species tolerates more shade than many other palms and is excellent for filling a corner with dense foliage. Its root system responds well to container limitations, naturally slowing its vertical development.
Kentia and Cascade Palms
The Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana) is known for its slow growth and ability to withstand cooler temperatures and low light. It can reach up to 12 feet indoors over several years, but its slow rate prevents it from quickly outgrowing its space. The Cascade Palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum) is a small, bushy palm that thrives in humid conditions and low light.
Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
While technically a cycad and not a true palm, the Sago Palm is frequently utilized as a small, containerized plant. Due to its extremely slow growth rate, it generally remains under 5 feet tall when potted, producing a stiff crown of dark green fronds. Its robust nature allows it to handle the often-dry conditions of indoor environments better than many true palm species.
Environmental Factors Controlling Size
The ultimate size of a palm can be managed through careful manipulation of its environment, even when selecting a dwarf variety.
Container Size and Root Restriction
Container size provides a direct method of growth restriction. Limiting the volume of soil suppresses the expansion of the root system, which slows the palm’s vertical development. Since the diameter of a palm trunk is largely fixed early in its life, restricting the root ball maintains a smaller overall plant size.
Nutrient and Temperature Control
The growth rate can also be controlled by reducing nutrient availability, as palms require nitrogen and potassium for rapid production. Using a slow-release fertilizer at a lower frequency than recommended helps maintain a compact form. Palms often grow significantly slower when cultivated at the cooler edge of their viable hardiness zone. In these cooler environments, the palm’s metabolic rate is reduced due to lower temperatures, naturally inhibiting it from reaching its maximum genetic height potential.