Types of Palm Trees Arizona Grows
9 Fetching Palms for Arizona Landscapes

The types of palm trees Arizona can grow are in about 35-40% of the state.

  • The north, northern-central & northeast Arizona geography have mountains and plateaus. Nearly impossible for palm tree life.
  • Palms in Arizona grow because the climate is warm enough for palms in places. In areas that Arizona has an arid desert climate. But wintery weather sometimes arrives.
  • So it's a must to consider those factors above.

The south, southeast, and southwest areas are deserts, where some types of palm trees can grow.

Let's see the types of Arizona palm trees that do well here.

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Low-Maintenance Types of Palm Trees
Arizona Top Choices

Several palm species do fine in Arizona's desert climate with minimal care.

Washingtonia Species For
Your Arizona Landscape

Washingtonia palms are ideal types of palm trees for Arizona. Most are low maintenance. 

And they need to be drought-tolerant.

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Desert Fan Palm

W. filifera is also known as the California Fan Palm. It is native to Southern California - and Arizona.

An impressive sun-loving desert palm tree. Can reach 70ft/21m at a medium pace. With thick trunks & palmate leaves, often seen holding onto old fronds. Easily cared for.

  • Most cold-hardy of the genera. Good to go for Zones 8-11. Plus in Arizona Zone 7, because of the dry climate.
  • White threads amidst the fronds give it the Cotton Palm common name in England.
  • In dry climates may tolerate as low as 15oF/-9.4C when mature. Seedlings Need Good Protection.
Desert Fan Palm between two Mexican Fan Palms in a neighborhoodCalifornia Fan Palm in Tucson's Sonoran Desert Neighborhood.
Surrounded by its Desert Palm Tree cousins - Mexican Fans.

Mexican Fan Palm

W. robusta works fine, if you have enough room. It's the Very Tall Palm LA is Known For.

  • It can get to 90ft/27m, or more. So it's best to Plan Ahead to Place it in Your Landscape.
  • Best in Zones 9b-11. 9a can be tried.
  • It retains its brown, dead leaves for awhile. But Trimming the Fronds off, like its cousin above, isn't needed. They'll drop in their own time. It's the type of palm tree Arizona has many of.
Washingtonia robusta palms in a Tucson strip mallWashingtonia robusta palms on Grant Road, Tucson AZ

Filibusta Palm in Arizona

A hybrid of the filifera & robusta. It takes traits from both parents, depending on which species has the stronger influence.

Typically this hybrid happens on its own, when the two Washingtonias grow near each other. 

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Mediterranean Fan Palm

Chamaerops humilis is also called European Fan Palm.

  • It's resistant to drought and desert heat. All around Easy Care and Hardy Short Palm.
  • Particularly hardy choice that resists drought and intense heat. Clustering, it makes an excellent hedge.
  • Suited for USDA arid Zones 8-11. 
Mediterranean Fan Palm in NZ botanical gardenYoung, Beautiful European Fan Palm All the Way in NZ

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Fastest-Growing Palm Trees for Arizona Gardens

Not a lot of available Palms To Plant are both fast-growing and desert-friendly.

About the fastest-growing palm tree that's ideal for Arizona's dry climate are those we mentioned above. The Mexican Fan Palm. And it's cousin, W.filifera is somewhat fast.

They're also low maintenance, and reliant.

Do Queen Palms Like Sun?

The Queen Palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana) can prosper in desert environments, liking the full sun that shines on your property. Adding tropical magnetism to your landscape.

  • A very fast grower, with good maintenance.
  • A drawback in Arizona's arid climate is its need for water. It looks best when watered often.

All around Arizona deserts, you'll find Queens growing. Some look really nice, others not so much. 

Top of a Queen Palm TreeNice Looking Queen Palm
Rainbow highlighting a queen palm in ArizonaRainbow with Queen from our backyard.

Cold-Hardy Palm Trees for Arizona’s Winters

Desert environments, like in Arizona, can get cold fronts coming in on occasion. Once in a while it can get to freezing overnight. But then warms up in the daytime.

Where we live In Tucson Arizona, we've even had a white Christmas, and a snowstorm on Easter! Let's see the palms that do well with that sudden temp drop.

Mexican Blue Fan May Be the Ideal Desert Palm

Brahea armata loves the dry desert's (Zones 8b-11) full sun & heat. AKA Blue Hesper Palm. With a stunning flower & fruit display.

  • Can take momentary plunges to about 16oF/-8.9C.
  • Native to northwestern Mexico. In canyons & streamside. It's first year, up Your Watering Plan. Afterwards, it's drought tolerant.
  • Slowly gets 30ft/9.14m tall. 
plMexican Blue Palm Enthralling With its Flowery Display!

Canary Island Date Palm in a Desert Biome

Phoenix canariensis is native to The Canary Islands. Majestic, with round crown of 100+ fronds. Among the tallest palm trees, so plan for that.

  • Does fine with the Canary's coastal desert scrub. Also inland desert scrub of Zones 8b-11.
  • Loves the sun, but limitedly tolerates temps to 15oF/-9oC.
  • If you get one, for great looks give it a bit more watering than its desert does!
Canary Island Date Palm Tree in a GardenStately Canary Island Date Palms Grow Quite Large

Historical Date Palm - Valuable for Desert Climates

Phoenix dactylifera has historically been the palm most cultivated for date Fruit Production. It's sustained many in Middle Eastern cultures since time immemorial. 

  • It's a true desert sun & heat lover. Still can endure low temps of 18oF/-7.8C, for a bit.
  • Today in the USA, they grow in Southern California & Arizona deserts. Helping local economies.
  • In its native territories, it often pops up around oases. Knowing how to seek out water!
Date palm tree groveGrove of Date Palms Along I-8 in Arizona. Adjacent to Dateland Fuel Stop.

Pygmy Date Palm Cold Hardiness

A little beauty (to 15ft/4.5m tall), the Phoenix roebelinii.

Also called Miniature Date Palm. Many people in Arizona like to grow it.

  • Often sold as multiples of 2 or 3 together, though it's a solitary palm.
  • Suited for deserts in Zones 8b-11. Full sun is fine. And can take temps to just below freezing.
  • Medium growth rate when given extra water & soil amendments.

It's done well scattered around our town of Tucson AZ.

twin Phoenix Roebelinii trunks have a coarse texture.

Is Saw Palmetto a Palm Tree?

It surely is, even with the young trunk growing underground!

Another common name is Silver Saw Palmetto, scientifically: Serenoa repens.

Native to the southeastern States of the U.S., it can be tried in Arizona. As it can be drought & cold hardy. Can do full sun, but likes a bit of shade too.

Saw Palmetto in FloridaSaw Palmetto in its natural National Forest

How to Care for Palm Trees in Arizona:
 Watering, Soil, & Sunlight

Areas that can grow various types of palm trees Arizona suited, where the sun is strong and warm/hot days are frequent.

  • Arizona Palm Trees Like Full Sun. Plan that for at least most of the day.
  • Desert Palm Trees aren't usually fussy for soil For How They Grow. None will object to adding in a Bit of Humus. But be sure the soil is well-draining.
  • Most are drought tolerant to varied degrees. However, A Watering Plan for a newly planted palm is giving it extra. Until it's established after about one year. The main thing that's needed is not to allow soggy roots.

Pictures of Palm Trees in Arizona

Phoenix Arizona Palm Trees

In Arizona's Sonoran Desert, Stay in Phoenix and you'll note Palm Trees all around, plus cactus. 85% of the year it's totally sunny. And usually it's warm or hot.

Wintertime temperatures can drop overnight. Even to near freezing. But rarely gets below that.

Palm Trees and Saguaro Cactus growing in a desert townPhoenix is a Desert City With Palm Trees Growing Adjacent to Saguaro Cactus

Tucson AZ Palm Trees

Drive around Tucson Arizona (about 2-hours south of Phoenix) & you'll see home after home and business after business with palms. Parks, and Wonderful Places to Stay too!

Several tall palm trees growing in a suburban neighborhoodA Tucson Neighborhood With Palms
Many Tucson Palm Trees are Washingtonia - as Seen Here

What Part of Arizona has Palm Trees?
Even More Desert Cities

More Arizona desert cities and towns besides Phoenix and Tucson have palm trees growing.

Mostly it's drought-tolerant species in Arizona deserts. Throughout our state, here's more:

Sonoran Desert Palms

Mojave Desert Palms

Crossing at the Colorado River at Bullhead City ArizonaPalms At the Crossing Into Laughlin Nevada at North End of Bullhead City
Adjacent to Davis Camp Park
Date Palm Grove in Yuma ArizonaMedjool Date Palms at Martha's Gardens in Yuma
Nice rounded crown on this Date Palm in Dateland AZ

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