Needle Palm

If your vision of a palm tree is fronds waving at the end of a tall trunk, then the Needle Palm will surprise you. This native palm is more of a shrub, forming a broad mound of stems and leaves, reaching around 10 feet in as many years, gradually getting wider, rather than taller. It will confound your other ideas about palms too, because this one loves moist to wet soil, and will grow happily in shade. A big plus is how cold-tolerant it is, surviving (with some foliage damage) temperatures of -5oF, which is zone 6. It forms a clump of short, hairy stems, each one topped by large fan-shaped leaves that more-or-less hide the trunks. The leaves are 2 to 3 feet across, on 3-foot stems, and the whole plant has a bold, striking look that brings the tropics into cool parts of the country. Use it beneath large trees in wet parts of your garden; beside a pond or stream; by your pool; in a bed of white pebbles; in a large planter; or, mixed with other subtropical plants like canna or banana. The name refers to the sharp spines at the base of the leaves, so consider this when positioning your plant.

• A bold mound of large, fan-shaped leaves on a clump of short stems
• The most cold-hardy palm tree in the world
• Thrives in wet soils and shade or sun
• Ideal for the tropical look even in zone 6
• Tough and reliable plant, not eaten by deer

Grow the Needle Palm in all light conditions. In general, the cooler your summers, the more sun exposure it needs. It is hardy in warm parts of zone 6, and can be grown from Florida to Connecticut, all along the West Coast, and in Tennessee, the Ohio valley and DC. It will grow in all types of soil, with a preference for damp to wet soils, and make sure it has plenty of water, especially in a pot. It isn’t eaten by deer, and has no significant pests or diseases. Trim off older leaves as they become damaged or yellow – otherwise it needs no care or attention beyond watering.