9 Palm Trees in Georgia and Atlanta Area + Planting Zones

When you think of the beach, you generally envision the unusual trees that grow there. However, palm trees aren’t just for the tropics; you can have one in your backyard.

 Even in the city of, Georgia palm trees thrive. Bring one of their many varieties into your space for a lively and relaxing atmosphere. 

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In today’s article, we are going to discuss specific palm trees that grow in Georgia and Atlanta Areas.

Is It Possible To Find Palm Trees In Georgia?

Even though palm trees are not native to Georgia, there are numerous varieties. Georgia, which is in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 8, has mild winters and warm summers, which allow some palm trees and palmettos to grow and thrive.

The humid subtropical climate that prevails throughout most of the state ensures that palm trees thrive when properly cared for and with adequate soil drainage. However, most palms in Georgia do not grow as tall as those in Florida, where the climate is much more conducive to the growth of these trees.

The following are the palm tree varieties found in Georgia:

9 Palms Trees In Georgia And Atlanta Areas

1. Saw Palmetto 

The saw palmetto is native to Florida and the rest of the southeast. It is commonly seen growing in some sections of Georgia, and unlike other tall trees, the saw palmetto has a clumping growth style that necessitates constant trimming to maintain its shape.

While there are plenty of pine trees along the highways of south Georgia, saw palmettos grow in clumps just beneath them.

• Zones 8–10 of the USDA Hardiness Scale
• Excellent in direct sunlight
• When established, it is drought tolerant.
• Saw palmettos prefer full sun to grow, but they can be planted in any light condition. 
• They grow slowly and can only grow to be 2 to 7 feet tall.

2. Mediterranean Palm

Another great palm tree in Georgia is the Mediterranean fan palm, which is known for its rapid growth and multiple trunks.

This palm tree, also known scientifically as Chamaerops humilis, is a very cold-hardy palm tree that can withstand temperatures as low as -10 degrees Fahrenheit.

This palm is suitable for developing landscapes because it grows at a relatively fast rate of 12 inches per year and is commonly seen in some areas of Georgia and even Texas.

3. Canary Date Palm

The Canary date palm is a flowering palm tree that is indigenous to the Canary Islands. It can grow to be as tall as 40–50 feet, making it unsuitable for planting in your yard because it will outgrow most other trees.

The canary island date palm, on the other hand, is one of the slowest growing palm trees, though not as slow as the coco de Mer palm.

The canary island date palm is a common palm tree in Georgia and is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 9A–11 (> 20°F). It’s also found on the coasts of South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Lower Texas, and Louisiana.

4. Queen Palm Tree

One of Georgia’s most popular trees is the queen palm tree. It can reach heights of up to 40 feet and a width of 20 feet or more. With their dark green leaves and thick trunk, they are dense, slow-growing, and very attractive.

Queen’s palms do not thrive in USDA zone six because they need a warmer temperature, but they can be grown in USDA zones seven through ten.

If you live near the coast and want a tree that will provide shade while also giving your yard an exotic feel, this is the tree for you. They are highly attractive trees on islands because they provide excellent windbreaks.

5. Cabbage Palm (Sabal palm)

The sabal palm, also known as cabbage palm trees, is native to Georgia, where it can be found growing and thriving in homes, streets, and tropical gardens.

It is a member of the Arecaceae family and one of the 15 palms of the palmetto palm.

Cabbage palms in Georgia have curved leaves that are 3–4 feet long and appear fan-shaped.

The flowerheads extend beyond the leaf canopy and can produce a large number of tiny, creamy-white, fragrant flowers that are known to attract other flowers.

Because sabal palms are winter-hardy plants, they rarely grow to be 90 feet tall in Georgia, but they are common to see those that are 40-50 feet tall when growing erect.

6. Windmill palm

The windmill palm is one of the most cold-hardy palms that can be found in Georgia. It can withstand temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Although it is native to China, it flourishes and thrives in Georgia and may be spotted along Atlanta’s streets.

The Windmill palm can grow up to 40 feet tall, but it is usually seen at much smaller sizes ranging from 10 to 20 feet. The palm tree’s root ball does not grow too deep, so it can be grown in your yard.

Windmill palms are susceptible to a variety of palm tree diseases, including lethal yellowing disease, root rot, and leaf spots. You might want to think about these when you’re growing.

7. Needle Palm Tree

Another common tree in Georgia is the needle palm. It is native to the United States’ south Atlantic states, which include Georgia, North and South Carolina, and others.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5b (-15 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit) to 11 (above 40 F)
• Sunlight – from partial to full sun
• The needle palm is extremely hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as -15 degrees Fahrenheit. 
• It is recommended for USDA zones 5b to 11, so you can successfully grow it in Georgia.

It is one of the shorter species of palm trees found in Georgia and the regions bordering the South Atlantic. If you don’t want to grow saw palmetto, you can try needle palm, which looks a lot like it.

8. Dwarf Pamela

The dwarf palmetto is native to the southeastern United States, ranging from the Carolinas to Florida and west to Texas. It is commonly seen as a ground cover on golf courses and other commercial landscaping in Georgia, growing to a height of 5-10 feet.

The palmetto, also known by its Spanish name Sabal minor, is the most resistant to cold and frost of any palm tree native to North America.

The dwarf palmetto is recommended for USDA hardiness zones 7-10, so it grows and tolerates the cold winter temperatures as low as 14°F that are common in Georgia just fine.

Dwarf palmetto is a low-maintenance palm tree that has traditionally been used for fencing, but it can also be grown as an ornamental plant.

9. True Date Palm

Phoenix Dactylifera is another name for the true date palm. It is known to grow and thrive in states such as Georgia, Arizona, Alabama, and Louisiana, among others.

While it is a winter hardy date palm tree, I would not recommend growing it in your yard because it can reach heights of more than 50 feet. As a result, it is a colossus that can easily dwarf other plants in your home.

• USDA hardiness zones: 8b (15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit) to 11 (above 40 F).
• Winter tolerance: as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit
• While this tree can withstand drought, it does not thrive in areas with high humidity. That is why it is not as common in Florida as it is along Georgia’s highways.

Conclusion

Finally, palm trees in Georgia can not only thrive in beach areas but also in homes and gardens too. 

There’s no doubting that these trees offer beauty and charm to the landscape while also providing shelter from Georgia’s scorching sun.

If you live around Georgia or Atlantic areas, you can try planting anyway of these palm trees discussed above, and be rest assured that they will grow abundantly.