Desert With Palm Trees
Your Palm Guide to Nature's Arid Lands

Introduction to Desert Palm Trees

What conditions form a desert where palms grow?

Climate & plants are what define deserts. What conditions support palms in deserts?

Deserts where palm trees grow have arid-like climates. Which means no more than 20in/50cm of average rainfall per year.

• Many (even most) desert palms are flexible for soil type.
• They must be drought-tolerant. Deserts get minimal yearly precipitation. Oases supply groundwater.

1. Per localities, the Sonoran Desert is the wettest of all! Different areas get 3-20in/76-500mm according to the U.S. National Park Service.

• Some deserts are pretty much always cold and arid. Which won't work for palms.

Palms won't grow in this climate with yearly cold winters.

What Defines a Desert Where Palms Grow?

Worldwide, there are three basic types of deserts where palms can grow.

• Dry, hot deserts, also called Arid Deserts. There's minimal rainfall (averaging under 10in/25cm) and lots of hot days.
• Somewhat cooler average temps with Semi-Arid Deserts. Usually with long summery weather. But summer and/or winter brings some precipitation. Yearly average rainfall totals 10-20in/25-50cm.
• Coastal Deserts are usually cool. With fog and humidity. But extremely little rainfall amounts: 2-15in/5-37cm .

How Palm Trees Survive Desert Conditions

Most palms aren't naturally built for adaptations needed to survive arid climates.

Though it's in their nature to tolerate drought conditions for a short time. They don't come with typical systems for water storage, as do Cycad Varieties and The Many Succulents.

But do drought-tolerant palms have adaptions to survive in deserts?

Are There Adaptations for Palms in Deserts?

Rather than having major adaptations, desert-friendly palms grow in the best places.

They're successful near oases, small streams, and intermittent dry arroyo beds. Their access to water is essential.

WATER STORAGE ABILITIES

Palms don't store water, as Desert Cacti can.

With arid conditions over time a trunk section can shrink inward. It remains this way, as cells in that area have died.

TEMPERATURE TOLERANCE

All palm species have their own range of temperature toleration.

Look at the highest listed temperature range in the USDA hardiness zone for a species. About the best way to determine the highest safe temperature for a particular palm. 

ROOT SYSTEMS

Roots are the best arid adaptation method for a desert with palm trees.

• Root growth and structure means surviving desert climates and arid conditions.
• Palm roots are relatively shallow. So they quickly drink in water seeping through soil.
• Palm roots grow out widely to reach all the water. Roots grow from the initiation zone at the trunk's bottom, and may extend outward as far as 100ft/31m or more!

Desert Palm Tree Benefits

Even palms growing in deserts have uses.

FOOD PRODUCTION

At the right time, Palms Produce Fruit from their fertilized flowers. Some can be eaten, and are liked by humans. Think of The Date Palm date varieties, and Peach Palm Fruits.

Some people use other parts of palms for food. A few important examples:

• Sap becomes beverages.
• Fronds become part of a salad.
• The growing point (palm hearts) become a delicacy.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

Palms have been Honored With Various Meanings in ancient to modern day cultures.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

Look at food ingredient labels. You may see palm oil listed.

• Plantations grow the African Oil Palm for oil production. Although controversial in some ways, it supports local livelihoods.
• Date Palms are Grown for fruit. Providing jobs in the Middle East and other arid places.

Famous Desert Palm Locations

Some deserts are famed for their unique geology. Which ones are notable for palm trees?

Sahara Desert Oases

The Sahara Desert, the 3rd largest in the world is an arid desert.

Grove of Palm Trees in the Sahara Desert. A water source must be nearby!

Recently the Sahara has received more rain that previously, refilling lakes & ponds.

• Rain helped revive palms. Transforming the land into a palm desert oasis again.
• A regular tourist from France said "...the plants and palm trees came back to life,"  according to Hicham Rafih at Science Alert.
• Check out This Popular Tour Through the Sahara>

See the Rains Making a Huge Sahara Desert Oasis

Palm Trees in Palm Springs, California

Entrancing scenes as you enter Palm Springs! With palm trees throughout its desert areas.
This is Palm Canyon Drive.

Palm Springs has Many Palm Trees On Every Street!

The average yearly rainfall here is 4.83in/12cm from1981 to 2010 according to NOAA. Technically it's in the western-most part of the Sonoran Desert.

Very low rainfall for that desert biome makes Palm Springs an Arid Desert.

It's Fun to Tour Around in a Golf Cart.

Why is Palm Springs called Palm Springs?

This desert with palm trees city wasn't Named For Palms.

When Spanish explorers José María Estudillo & Brevet Captain José Romero came through here, they called it La Palma de la Mano de Dios. In English: The Palm of God's Hand.

So originally it was an altogether different palm!

Another California City with arid conditions is Los Angeles where a Desert Palm Plant grows. How about Seeing Famous Mulholland Drive>

Rainmaker Fountain in Palm Springs California - Photo: Visitor7 CC BY-SA 4.0
Corner of Alejo Road & Palm Canyon Dr in Frances Stevens Park

Australian Desert Palms

Down under there's a semiarid desert: the Simpson Desert.

We drove from Adelaide to Uluru and on to Alice Springs. It was a trip of a lifetime for us. A place Where Everywhere You Look is Like a Painting!

View of Uluru on Our Australian Trip

In the Simpson Desert, palms grow in Finke Gorge National Park, West of Alice Springs & north of Yulara, where This Air Experience is Loved.

• Livistona mariae, the Red Cabbage Palm is native here (not anywhere else) is called Red Cabbage.
• Found in Palm Valley. Or see a few at Alice Springs Desert Park.

Livistona mariae
Native to Northern Australia

The Famous Desert in Dubai

Dubai is in The Arabian Desert, fourth largest in the world by square mileage.

The City of Dubai is in this hot/arid desert. Because according to the Dubai Meteorological Office, Dubai's average rainfall has been 3.73in/9.5cm.

• The Arabian Desert covers the Arabian peninsula where Dubai is located. North of the UAE capitol city, where There's a Popular Tour of the Area.
• Typical desert-hardy palms grow there. Dubai even has an Artificial Island Named for Palms.
• Drought hardy palms can grow in Dubai's desert climate. Resorts plant many varieties.

Since the bronze age, several palm genera have grown in the Near & Middle East. They include Chamaerops, Hyphaene, Medemia, and Nannorrhops. Phoenix palms, also, as  P.dactylifera may be native. 

Locating Dubai, UAE, on the Arabian Peninsula & in the Arabian Desert.
CLICK TO SEE A CRUISE OF THE NORWAY OF ARABIA

Are There Palm Trees in the Sonoran Desert?

The Sonoran Desert is Quite Diverse for plants & animals.

• Because twice a year "rainy seasons" occur. Summer Monsoon Rainstorms come north, rising From The Tropics of Mexico. And Pacific winter rain/snow storms come eastward, in from Southern California.
• Several palms are native here. Including Washingtonia species, like the W.filifera Palm.

We had to include the Sonoran Desert. It's a desert with palm trees Where We Live! We've planted palms here on our property In Tucson Arizona. Most recently a Brahea nitida.

The Sonoran is ranked 15th in the world by area. Three more deserts are in the USA: The Great Basin, Mojave Desert, and Chihuahuan.

• Each of which have some Possibility for Palm Trees Desert Growth.
• These are where Hardy Palms for Cold Weather might be grown by residents.

A Sonoran Desert palm tree in Tucson AZ glowing during a winter rainstorm!
As seen from our backyard patio.

Visiting Desert Palm Locations

Best Times to Visit - Typically you'd want to go when temperatures are more moderate.

• Winter, early spring and late fall is best. 
• But if you like avoiding crowds, travel to deserts in late spring through summer to early autumn. Just remember to prepare for the heat and strong sun.

Popular Tourist Destinations - Any deserts we've mentioned have great places to try.

• We always recommend people Visit Tucson Arizona. We love our town. What's great is it has features of larger cities, yet has small-town friendliness and lots of captivating things to do! And a solid way to avoid summer heat!
• Dubai in the United Arab Emirates certainly attracts lots of tourists. We haven't been, but have read lots about its interesting places.
• People love Visiting Morocco and Egypt, both in the Sahara Desert. Popular for Ancient Cultures and ruins.

Wherever you might go to see a desert with palm trees, there will be unique photography opportunities surrounding you. But be sure you check any local travel advisory tips before beginning your plans.

Growing Palm Trees in Desert Environments

There's often no worry for desert soils making drought-tolerant palms happy.

But the balance of water & sun are main cultivation requirements for growing desert palms. While getting established, they need:

• A bit more than normal water scheduling.
• But also some protection from the strongest sun.

After their first year, watering can be cut back, and fun sunlight is welcomed.

Maintenance Tips are about the same as most other palms.

Conservation and Environmental Impact

Some Oases have been drying up in recent years.

Yet you've witnessed a comeback in the Sahara Desert, which was a surprise. Anymore, with climate change effects, weather throws us all lots of curves!

Conservation efforts are always ongoing for palms, including in deserts with palm trees. The renowned International Palm Society is always involved this way.

Our Newest Article

• 
• 
• 

1. Mission: Palm Trees Site Map - Index for All Content Listed

   
   Mission: Palm Trees site map - We've updated again. Find what you need here. All pages listed by category headings. A complete site index listing.

   Uncover More Details

Types of Palm Trees Found in Deserts

A wide range of drought-hardy, sun loving palms are found in deserts.

Think of the Date Palm, which is cultivated in arid countries around the world. Many dry climate areas have native desert palm species. But other introduced palm varieties also grow.

Around our state, there's plenty of Arizona Palm Trees. The most common are W.filifera and W.robusta. But also Syagrus romanzoffiana & Phoenix canariensis are very popular.

We'll show you a few others.

Think Locally
For Desert Palm Trees

For those of you wanting to plant in a desert climate, we have some suggestions. Plus some palm species ideas.

Local Microclimates are important. For instance, a coastal desert usually isn't as severe as an inland desert.

Think about your climate. In particular, how cold it gets.

Know the exact needs for your palm tree species. Which are useful to know for growing those drought-tolerant plants.

Spanish Artist, Cesar Manrique's Grave in Calle Vista del Valle Cemetery in Haría, Lanzarote, Canary Islands - WHAT TO DO CLICK HERE>

Bismarck Palm for Desert Climates

Bismarckia nobilis has bluish tinged fronds that love full sun. But not temps going to freezing level. If too long, they can Suffer Cold Damage.

• Endemic to the "Spiny Desert" & open grasslands of southern Madagascar. Where it can get 80ft/26m tall. Planted elsewhere, about half that size.
• The full crown has wonderful palmate fronds. 
• When established, it's drought tolerant.

You can stop In to See This Amazing Palm House, when traveling through Australia.

Stunning looker inside the Palm House at Adelaide Botanic Garden,
South Australia

Mazari Palm is a Different Desert Plant

Nannorrhops ritcheana is a pretty clustering palm. Slowly getting only to 20ft/6m.

• A sun-lover, Mazari Palms are drought tolerant. Dry USDA Zone 7 is ideal. 
• And very hardy. Shortly tolerates low temps of 15F/-9.4C.
• Its difference is growing in rainier Zones of 8-11. Like in Florida, where extra water won't be needed.

See it along with many other palms at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, In Sarasota Florida.

Desert-loving Mazari Palm tolerates a naturally rainy clime in Florida

Guadalupe Palm - Brought Back From Desert Island Extinction

Brahea edulis loves Zone 8!

Where deserts are sandy & rocky, with full sun. For damp climate Zones 9-11 it's also suitable.

Let's Care for Beautiful Guadalupe Palms

Hear How It's Recovering From Near Extinction! 😃

Takeaways for Desert with Palm Trees

You've seen that around the world there are deserts with palm trees.

We covered all the deserts that are arid places where palms find a home. These palms are drought-hardy, full-sun loving, and flexible for soils.

If you have any questions we didn't answer, please Contact Us!