Choosing Your Palm Tree

Selecting the right palm tree for your garden can be a bit intimidating but also very exciting. What kind of palm should I buy? How should I care for it? In recent years, we have had increasing success in growing palm trees in European gardens. Fan palms like the Chinese windmill palm, Trachycarpus fortunei, even thrive in distant, cold regions like Norway or Ukraine! So, with a little attention and care, you can find the perfect palm tree for your home oasis.

Fan Palm or Feather Palm?

First, it's important to decide whether you prefer a fan palm or a feather palm. This is a personal choice; both types of palms differ significantly in appearance. Generally, fan palms are slightly more resistant to weather conditions, making them better for beginners. Notably, the Trachycarpus fortunei (Chusan palm/Chinese windmill palm) and the Trachycarpus wagnerianus (Wagner palm) are particularly hardy and very popular across Europe.

For those seeking the 'coconut palm' effect, feather palms closely related to the coconut palm are available, which thrive in gardens and may even produce small edible 'coconuts' one day. These palms have adapted well to the European climate since the cold winters of the 1980s, with hundred-year-old specimens with large trunks found in the southwest of the UK, for example.

Another 'coconut palm' effect can be achieved by stripping the bark from fan palms like the Trachycarpus fortunei or the Trachycarpus wagnerianus, revealing a beautiful bare trunk. This look is stunning! However, it does make the plants more sensitive to cold, so during colder periods, the trunk should be well wrapped.

The best feather palm in terms of hardiness, value for money, and ease of care is the Butia eriospatha, a palm native to the southern Brazilian mountains. It develops large, tropical-looking green leaves and will bloom and produce seeds as it matures. A blue relative is the Butia capitata from Uruguay and southern Brazil. Both palms thrive in Dutch and Belgian gardens and will grow considerably over the years.

Have a look at our shop and informative database to discover which plants are suitable for your garden!

Growing Palms from Seeds

Palm trees reproduce through seeds. Like other plants and trees, they begin to bloom in good weather. The seeds are inside the fruits of the palm tree. These seeds can be removed for decoration or for growing new palms. This can be quite a challenge! After receiving the seeds, soak them for 24 hours and remove any remaining fruit residue. Work carefully and cleanly; wearing gloves is advisable, as some palms are sensitive to mould or infection at this stage. Plant the seeds individually or several in a tray with a few centimetres of space between them. We recommend a growing medium like vermiculite or a similar mix of perlite and sphagnum moss in a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio.

Ensure a stable, moist, and warm environment. Some people use a wooden box heated by a lamp, while others use a shoebox placed on a radiator. We recommend using a thermostatically controlled heating device, like our ‘soil heating cables,’ set to around 31°C. Water once daily to keep the soil slightly moist. Once the seeds have germinated, encourage seedling growth by adding a product like Palmbooster. Carefully repot the seedlings; although many people transplant them after the first leaf appears, it’s better to wait until a second or third leaf has developed.

Harvesting Palm Seeds

Harvesting palm seeds requires precise timing to ensure successful germination. Generally, it's best to wait until the seeds are fully ripe before collecting them. Harvest time varies by palm species, but usually occurs at the end of the blooming season. Look for signs like colour changes in the seeds and the drying of the fruits. Collect the seeds carefully and store them in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to grow your lush palm family.

Growing Palms from Seedlings

As you might have gathered, palms are quite delicate and need special care when grown from seed. This can be fun but also frustrating if you need to experiment to get it right. We offer a wide variety of seedlings of different species, allowing you to bypass this obstacle and save a lot of time!

Buying a Larger Palm

Of course, nothing beats buying a larger plant to instantly transform your garden! MyPalmShop offers plants of various sizes and displays the weight and shipping size while you shop. We even sell plants so large they can't be shipped by regular mail; for these giants, we offer an online shipping solution.

Caring for Well-Developed Roots

A well-rooted palm will immediately feel at home in your garden, but a palm with weak roots may struggle to grow and could even experience shock! At MyPalmShop, we keep our plants until we are sure they have well-developed roots. This is essential because a healthy palm requires a strong, healthy root system. Once the roots are established, a growth hormone signals the leaves to grow faster, resulting in a vigorously growing palm tree.

When and Where to Plant Your Palm?

Consider the Palm's Needs

Whether to plant your palm in the ground or in a large pot depends on the species and your personal preference. However, be aware that outdoor drainage issues and pots can pose problems during cold temperatures! A plant in the ground is only exposed to frost from above, but one in a pot is attacked by frost from all sides.

Planting Your Palm in the Garden

It’s a good idea to dig generously around the base of the plant. Not too deep—dig a few centimetres above the root ball. Place the palm on a mound in the centre of the hole and fill the surrounding trench with soil mixed with coarse sand to prevent excess water from reaching the roots. Ensure the plant is not buried deeper than it was in its pot to avoid stem rot.

Planting in Pots or Containers

Consider lining the inside of your pot with bubble wrap or similar insulation to prevent cold from penetrating. Never wrap the roots or the above-ground part of the plant, as plants need to breathe and could suffocate if covered. We offer a complete range of winter protection products to safeguard your palm.

Planting in Groups

We often advise planting in odd-numbered groups—one in the middle of a lawn, groups of three or five. Strangely, groups of two or four seem less visually appealing than three or five! If anyone can explain this psychologically, we’d love to hear it!