Palm trees are spectacular, to say the least! The moment you think of them, you’re reminded of an idyllic tropical setting where the tree grows high and mighty, with its broad leaves spread in clusters. In case you’re planning to add the plant to your garden, you have probably thought of their average growth rate as well.
Usually, the growth rate of a palm tree depends on the temperature, the variant of the palm, and the prevailing climate. The growth rate of your palm tree is likely to vary depending on these specifics.
But how fast do most palm trees grow? And what is their average height? Read on, to know more.
Different Types of Palm Trees and How Fast Do They Grow?
As previously mentioned, the growth rate of a palm tree varies depending on its species. In this section, we will discuss the top palm species and their average growth rate.
1. Lady Palm
These are rare species of palm trees that take plenty of time to thrive. So, if you are planning to plant this variant, first consider this time constraint.
Usually, Lady palms have a growth rate between 2 to 10 inches, annually. The holds true even if the soil, temperature, and other conditions are favorable.
If you keep a lady palm indoors, they make takes even more time to exhibit signs of growth. While you can add a prominent light source to expedite the growth, it still takes quite a long to grow.
2. Fan Palm-Mexican
Also known as the Mexican palm, this tree has a consistent growth of 4 feet annually. This is also one of the palms with the quickest growth rate when you set it in the right soil and add adequate water.
The plant originates from parts of Mexico. You will also find some variants in California. In case you are planting the Fan palm in an area different from the mentioned locations, the growth period may be longer.
3. Windmill Palm
One of the hardiest palm trees on our list, the Windmill palm exhibits a moderate growth of 8 inches annually. Because of the fairly short height, you can easily accommodate the plant indoors.
These palms also thrive in multiple soil and hardiness zones. When it comes to indoors, the minimum hardiness zone is 4 and in outdoors, the minimum hardiness zone is 8. If you plant these trees anywhere lower than the mentioned zones, they will die over the subsequent weeks.
As with other variants of palms, they cannot withstand cold weather and grow extremely slow in chilly climates.
4. Queen and King Palm
Both the Queen and King palm exhibit an average growth rate of 2 feet annually. Although you can plant them in all types of zones, these plants tend to thrive best in hardiness zones 9 to 11. When mature, they assume a height of 49 feet. However, the plants require plenty of time to assume this maturity.
In case you are planting King and Queen palms in cold areas, you would want to keep them in a sheltered area. During the winters months, you should also prepare to witness a sharp decrease in the usual growth rate.
5. Foxtails
Foxtails are a popular type of Australian palm tree and they exhibit a moderate growth of one foot annually. The average height of these trees is around 30 feet. But this may decrease if you keep them indoors. The key is to leave ample space for these palms to assume the lofty height.
One of the biggest highlights of the Foxtail is that it can effectively withstand chilly weather. Similarly, you can also grow it in Temperate and Tropical areas. This is a unique attribute, as most palm trees do not seem to exhibit it.
Note that if you are planning to grow a Foxtail in an indoor environment, it may not assume the entire 30 feet. You also need to prepare your indoor setting to match the growth rate of the plant. Obviously, you wouldn’t want to remove it after the tree assumes a bigger height.
That is why you might want to shift it outdoors in the earlier stages. Growing this plant outdoors is more convenient, and it also reduces your maintenance requirements.
6. European Palm
Even though these plants are not the quickest ones to grow, they are still popular for their unique shape and beautiful structure. On average, the European palm assumes a height of 16 feet or less. So, if you are looking to add a low-growth palm tree to your small garden, this might be your best bet.
While growing the European palms you will notice an unbelievably fast growth rate during the plant’s early years. During this time, they will grow around 10 inches annually. With time, however, the plants will start aging, which in turn, will affect their growth rate.
The older variants of these palms only assume a few inches annually even when the climate and soil type are ideal, and the sunlight and watering requirements are duly addressed. As the plant grows, you will also notice its lack of foliage. Usually, they only grow up to assume one frond annually.
The biggest takeaway of the European palm is its resistance to cold. You wouldn’t find this in other palm trees, and it is, therefore, an excellent trait. Unlike other palms, it can grow in any type of weather. The hardiness zones can be cool, and the plant will thrive perfectly well even in chilly parts like Texas.
Overall, these are an excellent option for small to moderate-sized gardens because of their ideal height. Thanks to this height, they won’t outshine your other trees but also provide just the right kind of shade.
7. Carpentaria
These are unique species of palm that assume an amazing and highly impressive height of 6 feet, annually. Their maximum height crosses 100 feet, and in ideal weather conditions, they will grow high and tall.
Because of this reason, you would only want to add this palm to your garden if it is spacious enough. The trees will assume an even greater height if you do not keep them in proximity to other fast-growing trees. You should also avoid planting rainforest trees around the area.
Despite originating in the chilly parts of Australia, the palm variant cannot withstand chilly weather properly. You will find a noticeable difference in growth rate, the moment these plants are exposed to extreme cold.
Even though it thrives well in tropical regions like Florida, any colder area will hinder its growth rate and cause it to dry out and wilt.
How Many Feet Does an Average Palm Tree Grow Per Year?
As you can probably guess from the previous section, the growth rate of palm trees varies depending on the species. The origin preferred soil type, and prevailing climate are other factors that affect the plant’s growth.
On average, a palm tree can grow from a couple of inches up to a few feet. The growth rate is likely to be better and quicker if the soil is well fertilized and nourished with the right ingredients.
How Can I Make My Palm Tree Grow Faster?
If you want your palm trees to grow faster, follow the below tips for best results:
1. Establish a microenvironment
This is one of the easiest ways to expedite your plant’s growth. Thanks to the microenvironment, the fruiting capacity of the tree can be duly controlled. It is best to plant your tree outdoors because outdoor environments make way for ample natural light.
If you are keeping an indoor palm, create some artificial lighting arrangement, even before adding the plant to your home.
2. Keep it warm
This is another thing you can do to boost your plants’ growth. When kept in warm, tropical areas, palm trees tend to exhibit maximum growth. You can establish this warmth by placing the plant outside or by adding some advanced lighting system for your indoor palm tree.
3. Nourish the plant
You might occasionally want to nourish the plant to help maintain its growth. This can be achieved by creating a source of Co2 and nutrient absorption. You can also identify the root of the plant and add mycorrhizal fungi to it. This will further expedite the plant’s growth.
You can also up the nourishment game by fertilizing the plant at proper intervals. Try to add potassium sulfate to the potting soil for quicker and more sustained growth.
Do Palm Trees Stop Growing?
Most palm trees will grow in ideal weather and temperature situations. However, if you move these plants to colder regions, their growth rate will be significantly affected. The plants also stop growing if you chop off their head or the upper part of the foliage.
Why are Palm Trees so Expensive?
Palm trees are often exported from far-off locations, which contributes to their high costs. Additionally, the plants are also expensive because of their slow growth rate.
Now that you know everything about palm trees, wait for no further and get your indoor or outdoor palm right away! Most palm trees will be easy to maintain if you follow the required temperature, watering, and soil guidelines.
