7 hardy palms to plant almost anywhere in France

Rhapidophyllum histrix

Native to southeastern United States, Rhapidophyllum histrix is hardiest palm, as it tolerates temperatures between −20 and −25 °C! Commonly called porcupine palm or needle palm, its stipe is covered with long thorns! It is a cespitose palm, forming a clump with a rather untidy habit – leaves seeming to grow in every direction – yet very natural! It remains relatively compact, not exceeding 2.5–3 metres in height. Leaves borne on long petioles, they are palmate and divided almost along entire length of lamina, which makes them quite supple. It particularly appreciates shade, as well as rich, fresh soils. This species is ideal for creating a jungle garden!

Rhapidophyllum hystrix has a bushy, untidy appearance! (photos: Scott Zona / Krzysztof Ziarnek)

Trachycarpus fortunei

Native to mountainous regions of China, Japan and northern India, the Hemp palm or Chinese windmill palm is a relatively easy species to grow, and indeed one of the most popular palms! Very hardy, it can withstand down to −18 °C. It forms an upright stipe, covered with interlaced brown fibres, giving it a handsome rustic, natural appearance. At top of stipe unfolds a crown of palmate, fan-shaped leaves up to 1 m across. It favours soils that remain cool in summer, and although it likes sun, it also grows in partial shade.

Superb palmate foliage of Trachycarpus fortunei

To succeed in growing it, see our fact sheet dedicated to Trachycarpus or Hemp palm.

Sabal minor

Sabal minor is a dwarf palm native to the southern United States, reaching no more than 2 metres in height. It forms a short, partially buried stipe, giving the impression that the leaves emerge directly from the soil. Its leaves are palmate, very slightly plicate, and have a stiff, rigid appearance. They display a lovely colour ranging from dark green to blue. It is an easy palm to grow and relatively undemanding. It prefers shade or partial shade but also grows in full sun. However, it is not tolerant of strong winds. In the garden, plant it in the shade of larger palms. Regarding its hardiness, it can withstand temperatures down to −18 °C.

Palmate, rigid leaves of the dwarf palm Sabal minor (photo: David J. Stang)

Jubaea chilensis

Chilean Wine Palm is a majestic palm with pinnate leaves. It has a grey, massive stipe, slightly flared at the base, evoking an elephant’s foot, which makes it very imposing. Its stipe at the base of the trunk can reach up to 5 metres in circumference! At the top, a crown of pinnate leaves unfolds, reaching up to 4–5 metres in length. They give it a very different look from other palms commonly seen in gardens. It is, moreover, the hardiest pinnate-frond palm! It tolerates down to -15 °C. In the wild it grows in dry, rocky media in Chile, from the foot of the Andes up to 1,500 metres altitude. In the garden it will thrive in full sun, in well-draining soil. It grows quite slowly, especially during its early years.

Jubaea chilensis has a majestic silhouette! (photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek)

Trachycarpus wagnerianus

Native to Asia, Trachycarpus wagnerianus, also called Dwarf Chusan palm, is a very hardy and resilient palm. It resembles Trachycarpus fortunei, but is slightly smaller, with firmer, smaller leaves. It therefore bears handsome palmate leaves, which do not exceed 60 cm in diameter. They are attached to the trunk by long petioles, and consist of elongated, pointed segments fused together up to halfway along the lamina. The stipe of Trachycarpus wagnerianus is also covered with brown fibres, and at ripeness it reaches 6 to 7 metres in height. Regarding its hardiness, it can withstand down to −17 °C.

Palmate foliage of Trachycarpus wagnerianus

Chamaerops humilis

Chamaerops humilis is a small cespitose palm that forms clumps made up of several stipes, as it can easily produce new shoots at the base of the trunk. In general it does not exceed 3.5 metres in height and grows quite slowly. At the top of the stipes unfold beautiful palmate, fan-shaped leaves, borne on thorny petioles. It tolerates down to -12 °C if soil is well-draining. It is the only palm naturally found in Mediterranean basin. It naturally grows in dry, poor, sandy or rocky soil. In the garden, plant it in full sun! It is easy to grow and also adapts to container growing.

Chamaerops humilis is a small palm that forms clumps made up of several trunks! (photo on right: H. Zell)

Discover our full profile on the Chamaerops or dwarf palm!

Brahea armata

Mexican blue palm, or Brahea armata, is a superb palm with fan-shaped leaves of a beautiful bluish-grey colour. Its leaves have a stiff appearance and are costapalmate (palmate with a central axis). Native to arid regions of Mexico, this palm enjoys full sun as well as poor, stony or sandy soils. Thus, it tolerates -12 °C in well-drained soil, but will be more tender if soil is wet, as it hates excess water in winter. It proves resistant to summer drought. It grows slowly but can reach up to 15 metres in height. Brahea armata is an architectural palm that will pair wonderfully with perennials with blue or silver leaves.

Enjoy silvery-blue colour of Brahea armata!

Learn more

To learn all about palms, discover our other tips :

• Palms: to plant, to grow and to maintain
• Which palm should I choose for my garden?
• Palm moth, Paysandisia archon: control and treatment