Worlds Tallest Palm Trees

People who love palm trees like to know which palms they are looking at.

Being able to Identify the Palm Tree.

That's only one reason why somebody wants to know about the tallest palm trees in the world. There are several other reasons:

• It's good to know its care. Watering needs, suitability for your area, etc.
• Are you evaluating buying a palm to plant in your yard?

1. Definitely learn the final height. To figure placement for your Landscaping Plan.

Think you'll want to Buy a Tall Palm Tree? Even if not one of the worlds tallest palm trees! First think of how you'll use it.

• Will it be the centerpiece of your front or back yard? Will it fit there properly?
• If a centerpiece, have you evaluated Landscaping To Surround it?
• Think about its fit by your home. Will it overpower or complement it?

Think of Your Landscaping Plan (that's essential!)
Before Planting a Very Tall Palm Tree in Your Yard or Garden!

Are you doing research?

To evaluate the tallest palm palm trees in specific areas.

When thinking of tall palm trees, exactly how tall are we speaking?

A fully grown, mature, tall palm tree will be at least 60ft/18/29m high. That's where to begin, when thinking of the worlds tallest palm trees.

Ceroxylon quindiuense is amazing as the world's tallest palm tree.

The trunk alone gets to 200ft/61m high.

But not only that!

In its native Columbia, it grows between 6000-10,000ft (1829-3048m) up into the Andes Mountains. Meaning they've got the survival record for palms growing in the highest world elevations.

Wow! The Landscape Where They Live! Image: Clivid at Flickr, CC-BY-ND 4.0

Borassus aethiopum originated in African tropical grasslands. Palmate leaves are deep green, about 6ft/2m long.

• Gets to 80ft/24.4m tall, in zones 10 & 11.
• Gray trunk has a normal swelling towards the top or middle. Adding to its character.

It's a Palm Tree Couple!
The Palmyra Palm Male (hubbie!) on the Left.
The Palmyra Palm Female (wifey!) on the Right.

Cocos nucifera has been around forever.

They're not even sure of its origins. Except maybe the South Pacific. But everyone knows it as That Tropical Symbol. Horticulturists have created many varieties.

The original grows to 100ft/31m tall. Large varieties are Tall Jamaican, Panama Tall & Maypan (smallest). Plantations Grow Them commercially for the coconut fruits.

• Coconuts grow in groups below the crown. Handy usage throughout the world for food & much more.

Look Way Up! Way, Way Up - to See Coconuts.
Green When Unripe, Like These. Covered in Brown Hairy Matting When They Ripen.

Jubaea chilensis has more flexible growing zones.

Easily in Zones 9-11. A handsome, hardy choice among the world's tallest palm trees. They're even growing in Belgium.

Also in their native Chile, as well as among the Tall Palm Trees in California. Mature Chilean Wine Palm specimens slowly reach 100ft/31m up.

Preserve of Wine Palms at Palmar El Salto Nature Park in Chile

Exactly the Right Palm Tree Look! Don't You Think?
Would this world's tallest palm tree from the Canary Islands suit your own landscaping?

Phoenix canariensis is a regal beauty with some hardiness.

• Excellent slow growth up to 90ft/27m in Zones 9-11. Tolerates 8b in less rainy/humid climes.
• Dark green, kind of rigid pinnate fronds. Leaflets turn orangey & spiky near tips. Which forms a majestic round crown.
• "Designer Trunk" looks nicely intricate from the diamond-shaped leaf scars.

Arenga pinnata has a defined life span. Flower stalks (inflorescence) sprout high up at maturity into the 70ft/21m tall crown. Each thereafter lower down, until the final one.

When that's done, the palm dies!

• Easily grown from seed, springing up quickly.
• Not recommended for landscaping because dying is its end plan.

Cultivated & popular for wine-making, edible fruit & its sugar!
Pics From Northern Suluwesi, Western-most Island of Indonesia.
This One's Near Its End! 🫤

Bismarckia nobilis has a lovely look with upright palmate fronds. Although reaching 60ft/18m tall when fully grown, its crown is massively huge!

• Originally from Madagascar. 
• Leaf color can be bluish (for 9b-11) or more green (for 10a).

Bismarck Palms Entice You Outside
On the Grounds of a Tenerife Hotel

Borassus aethiopum has multiple common names: African Palmyra Palm, Ron Palm & Toddy Palm. As you've guessed, native to African tropics.

• Gets up to 80ft/24m high with a substantial crown.
• Trunks bulge out naturally.

Here in Savannah Lands of Togo.
Diverse local usage: agricultural plot borders, produce fruit.
Roots for food in local meals. Leaves used to make fans & important for building cooking fires.

Attalea butyracea, aka Rooster-tail Palm & Yagua Palm. Alternate scientific name has it Called Scheelea butyracea.

• Grows to an amazing 100ft/30m. Another massive crown.
• Ok for Zones 10-11, somewhat in 9B.

A Pushover for Biologist, Kim! At Kahanu Gardens.
A National Tropical Botanical Garden
At Kaeleku, Hana, Maui

Iriartea deltoidea gets nearly 100ft/30m tall, but with a narrow trunk.

• When established, develops spiked, aerial prop roots.
• Seeds & the palm heart are regionally eaten.
• Often forms immense palm groves.

Other Common Names: Stilt Palm & Copa Palm.

Washingtonia filifera is the tall palm tree associated with California. This is the only palm native to the state.

• Likes growing up to 70ft/21m, near natural springs & along dry wash beds.
• Does well in Zones 8-11. Add in arid 7s.
• For its enormous crown, palmate leaves have long, thin triangular segments with droopy tips.

Artist's Drawing of a California Fan Palm

Kentiopsis oliviformis grows in Southern California. Particularly coastal counties.

• Maximum height of 80ft/24m slowly. But extra watering speeds it up.
• Dark green pinnate fronds point upwards. Handsome, ringed green trunk fades to tan at the bottom as it ages.
• Ideal for Zones 10b & 11. Does okay in warmer 10a.

Canala Palms Make for Stunning Landscaping
On the University of Miami Campus

Common names for Sabal mauritiiformis. Widely seen in Belize. Original to Mexico, Central America, N.South America & Trinidad. With a gorgeous, extensive crown.

Planted around San Diego County. There's a good tall one at the San Diego Zoo!

• Grows to 80ft/24m tall pretty quickly.
• Dark green palmate fronds have a silvery glow beneath.

Here at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
In Miami Florida

Livistona decora is an Aussie native. Before 2004 the species epithet was decipiens.

Grows in Southern California, too! Zones 9-11.

• Ribbon Fan gets quickly to 70ft/21m tall in ideal settings.
• Distinctive, groovy light brown trunk Is Self-Cleaning, ditching older fronds.
• Stupendous palmate fronds blossom out of the crown with flowing segments sweeping downward.

Stupendous palmate fronds blossom out of the crown with flowing segments sweeping downward.