Palms in Phoenix Arizona

[palmbob2]

I am moving to Phoenix soon but see very few discussions of what will grow there on this forum… perhaps due to the possibility that heat, rather than cold is the major limiting factor there… but HARDINESS is still my main concern.  I see thousands of Palms growing in Phoenix as I drive around but with a very limited variety… mostly Phoenix (which I find appropriate), Washingtonia, Syagrus (most look terrible), Trachycarpus (most look surprisingly good), Butias, Chamaerops and Bismarkias.   I have seen glimpses of discussions on other forums about Wodyetia, Pseudophoenix and Caryota doing ok there… and suggestions of Roystoneas ( though most end in a ‘loss’ statement)… Arenags? Trithrinax? Jubaeas? Parajubaeas? Any Dypsis (or those that used to be called Dypsis?)? Guaihia? Nannorhops? Rhapidophyllum? Coccothrinax? Copernicia?Livistona? Chamaerops argentea? Attalea ( saw a nice one in Palm Sorings once)? Hyphaene?  Etc…. I know this has probably been discussed at some point and maybe I just haven’t gone back enough years in the forum discussions to uncover them.  Thanks!

[idontknowhatnametuse]

Welcome to PalmTalk, I think @aztropic could help you selecting palms for your zone. He grows a wide variety of palms in Arizona.

[aztropic]

1 hour ago, palmbob2 said:

I am moving to Phoenix soon but see very few discussions of what will grow there on this forum… perhaps due to the possibility that heat, rather than cold is the major limiting factor there… but HARDINESS is still my main concern.  I see thousands of Palms growing in Phoenix as I drive around but with a very limited variety… mostly Phoenix (which I find appropriate), Washingtonia, Syagrus (most look terrible), Trachycarpus (most look surprisingly good), Butias, Chamaerops and Bismarkias.   I have seen glimpses of discussions on other forums about Wodyetia, Pseudophoenix and Caryota doing ok there… and suggestions of Roystoneas ( though most end in a ‘loss’ statement)… Arenags? Trithrinax? Jubaeas? Parajubaeas? Any Dypsis (or those that used to be called Dypsis?)? Guaihia? Nannorhops? Rhapidophyllum? Coccothrinax? Copernicia?Livistona? Chamaerops argentea? Attalea ( saw a nice one in Palm Sorings once)? Hyphaene?  Etc…. I know this has probably been discussed at some point and maybe I just haven’t gone back enough years in the forum discussions to uncover them.  Thanks!

Every question you could have on what palms do well in the metro Phoenix area has probably already been answered in this thread. Tons of valuable information distributed over the last decade will give you plenty of ideas for what you'd like to grow in your new garden.👍

https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/topic/36483-local-arizona-thread/?do=findComment&comment=571072

 

[ahosey01]

1 hour ago, palmbob2 said:

I am moving to Phoenix soon but see very few discussions of what will grow there on this forum… perhaps due to the possibility that heat, rather than cold is the major limiting factor there… but HARDINESS is still my main concern.  I see thousands of Palms growing in Phoenix as I drive around but with a very limited variety… mostly Phoenix (which I find appropriate), Washingtonia, Syagrus (most look terrible), Trachycarpus (most look surprisingly good), Butias, Chamaerops and Bismarkias.   I have seen glimpses of discussions on other forums about Wodyetia, Pseudophoenix and Caryota doing ok there… and suggestions of Roystoneas ( though most end in a ‘loss’ statement)… Arenags? Trithrinax? Jubaeas? Parajubaeas? Any Dypsis (or those that used to be called Dypsis?)? Guaihia? Nannorhops? Rhapidophyllum? Coccothrinax? Copernicia?Livistona? Chamaerops argentea? Attalea ( saw a nice one in Palm Sorings once)? Hyphaene?  Etc…. I know this has probably been discussed at some point and maybe I just haven’t gone back enough years in the forum discussions to uncover them.  Thanks!

I had a palm garden for a while in Wickenburg, which is colder than Phoenix generally and to the north and west.

Here's a rough guideline:

1.) Almost all Phoenix species will do fine, including the jungle-y ones like roebelenii

2.) Almost all Brahea species love the heat and the dry

3.) Washingtonias (duh)

4.) Most of the caribbean species native to limestone soils.  Some don't like the sun (I've heard Coccothrinax crinita prefers filtered light) but some are just fine in full sun.  I think @aztropic has a big Copernica macroglossa or rigida - I forget which.

5.) Royals if you grow them from seed in Phoenix.  Inexplicably, ones transplanted in appear to do poorly but ones sown in the Sonoran desert seem to do fine.

6.) Almost all Hyphaene species.  @Rod has an incredible garden full of them.

7.) All Livistonas native to dry climates (like alfredii or mariae) but not Livistonas native to swampy areas (australis or saribus).

8.) Jubaea will do okay if given plenty of water, filtered light, and like a royal - sown in Arizona.  I know a guy with a big one in full sun now and it does good.  Don't bring one in from California or it will croak (unless it was like Palm Desert or something)

9.) Medemia argun - @kinzyjr had a batch of seedlings available recently and I'm sure more will come along.

10.) Bismarckia do okay if you water them well, Borassus do not.

11.) Most Sabals look good if you give them enough water, Sabal uresana in particular.

12.) Most Butia hybrids do pretty well, including BxJ, Mules, and JxMules.  This is especially true if you have good soil.

13.) Trithrinax species do good.

14.)  Nanorrhops... cause, duh.

There's probably more I'm not thinking of, but that should get you started.

[Fusca]

1 hour ago, palmbob2 said:

I see thousands of Palms growing in Phoenix as I drive around but with a very limited variety… mostly Phoenix (which I find appropriate)

Best of luck with your move!    I was going to direct you to the thread that Scott referenced - good advice given above.

Imagine that - Phoenix grow well in Phoenix!  However Bismarckia don't grow well in Bismarck and Washingtonia don't grow well in Washington (DC at least)!  🤣