Palm Trees for Sale UK – Hardy Palms for British Gardens
Palm and Olive sells mature, garden-ready hardy palm trees that can take a British winter – including the windmill palm Trachycarpus fortunei (hardy to about −15°C), Trachycarpus wagnerianus, Chamaerops humilis, Phoenix canariensis, Washingtonia robusta, Cordyline australis, Jubaea chilensis, Brahea armata and the sago palm Cycas revoluta. Every palm is hand-selected, checked before dispatch and delivered free to most of mainland UK, usually within 3–7 days.
Palm trees for sale
- 6–7ft Trachycarpus fortunei Palm Tree | Hardy Windmill Palm – £299.99 (in stock)
- Giant Sago Palm 6–7 ft – Mature King Cycas revoluta – £1,199.99 (in stock)
- Trachycarpus Fortunei Palm Tree – From £119.99
- Trachycarpus wagnerianus Palm Tree – From £99.99
- Chamaerops humilis - Mediterranean Fan Palm – From £59.99
- Phoenix Canariensis Date Palm Tree – From £99.99
- Washingtonia Robusta palm tree – From £449.99
- Cyca Revoluta - Sago Palm – From £49.99
- Yucca Rostrata – From £99.99
- Jubaea Chilensis Palm Tree – From £2,499.99
- Hardy Trachycarpus Fortunei Palm Tree 35L 5-6ft – £175.95 (currently sold out – ask us about the next delivery)
- 6ft Hardy Trachycarpus Fortunei Palm Tree 35L 50/60cm Trunk – £199.99 (currently sold out – ask us about the next delivery)
- Tall Trachycarpus Fortunei (Windmill Palm Tree) – Mature Single-Trunk Specimen – £999.99 (currently sold out – ask us about the next delivery)
- 7 ft Trachycarpus wagnerianus palm tree “waggie” – £499.99 (currently sold out – ask us about the next delivery)
- 10ft Double Trunk Cordyline australis – New Zealand Cabbage Palm UK – £449.99 (currently sold out – ask us about the next delivery)
- Brahea Armata Palm Tree – £1,199.99 (currently sold out – ask us about the next delivery)
- Yucca Elephantipes (Spineless Yucca) – From £239.99 (currently sold out – ask us about the next delivery)
- PHOENIX ROEBELENII – £249.99 (currently sold out – ask us about the next delivery)
Will a palm tree survive your winter?
How six popular palms cope with a hard UK frost, and how much winter wrapping (fleece, tied leaves and mulch) helps – it gives roughly 3°C of extra protection and keeps the crown dry.
- Trachycarpus fortunei (Windmill palm): hardy to about −15°C unprotected, or about −18°C when wrapped.
- Chamaerops humilis (Mediterranean fan palm): hardy to about −10°C unprotected, or about −13°C when wrapped.
- Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island date palm): hardy to about −7°C unprotected, or about −10°C when wrapped.
- Washingtonia robusta (Mexican fan palm): hardy to about −5°C unprotected, or about −8°C when wrapped.
- Cordyline australis (Cabbage palm): hardy to about −10°C unprotected, or about −13°C when wrapped.
- Cycas revoluta (Sago palm): hardy to about −7°C unprotected, or about −10°C when wrapped.
A typical hard frost: Cornwall coast −2°C, London and the South −6°C, Midlands −9°C, North of England −11°C, Scotland −14°C. At −6°C (a hard frost in London and the South), Trachycarpus, Chamaerops and Cordyline are fine without protection, while Phoenix canariensis, Cycas revoluta and Washingtonia robusta need wrapping or a sheltered spot.
How fast do palm trees grow in the UK?
Typical growth in a sheltered UK garden, starting from the sizes we deliver:
| Palm | Growth a year | Planted at | After 10 years | After 20 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trachycarpus fortunei | 25–35 cm | 1.8 m | 4.8 m | 7.8 m |
| Chamaerops humilis | 10–15 cm | 1.0 m | 2.2 m | 3.4 m |
| Phoenix canariensis | 15–30 cm | 1.6 m | 3.6 m | 5.6 m |
| Washingtonia robusta | 40–90 cm in a warm spot | 2.0 m | 6.5 m | 11.0 m |
| Cordyline australis | 20–40 cm | 1.6 m | 4.6 m | 7.6 m |
| Cycas revoluta | 2–5 cm | 0.7 m | 1.0 m | 1.3 m |
How cold can each palm tree take?
A guide for established plants in a short cold spell. Wet cold is harder on palms than dry cold, and young plants are more tender.
| Palm | Hardy to about | Growth in the UK | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trachycarpus fortunei (Windmill or Chusan palm) | −15°C | 25–35 cm a year | Anywhere in the UK, coast to city |
| Trachycarpus wagnerianus (Waggie) | −15°C | 15–25 cm a year | Windy and exposed gardens – stiff, compact leaves |
| Yucca rostrata (Beaked yucca) | −15°C | Slow, 5–10 cm a year | Dry, sunny gravel gardens |
| Jubaea chilensis (Chilean wine palm) | −12°C | Very slow at first | A long-term statement tree |
| Chamaerops humilis (Mediterranean fan palm) | −10°C | 10–15 cm a year | Pots, patios and small gardens |
| Brahea armata (Blue hesper palm) | −10°C | Slow, 10–20 cm a year | Silver-blue leaves for dry, sunny spots |
| Cordyline australis (Cabbage palm) | −10°C | 20–40 cm a year | Coastal gardens and quick height |
| Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island date palm) | −7°C | 15–30 cm a year | Mild southern and coastal gardens |
| Cycas revoluta (Sago palm) | −7°C | Very slow, 2–5 cm a year | Pots and sheltered patios – keep it dry in winter |
| Washingtonia robusta (Mexican fan palm) | −5°C | 40–90 cm a year in a warm spot | Mild, sheltered town gardens |
| Yucca elephantipes (Spineless yucca) | keep frost-free | Moderate | Conservatory, or the patio in summer |
| Phoenix roebelenii (Pygmy date palm) | keep frost-free | Slow | Conservatory, or the patio in summer |
How to look after a palm tree
- Position: Full sun or bright light, sheltered from cold north and east winds. Trachycarpus and Chamaerops also cope with part shade.
- Watering: Water weekly through the first summer while roots establish. Established palms are fairly drought tolerant; water less in winter.
- Feeding: A slow-release palm or general feed in spring, or a liquid feed every few weeks from April to August.
- Winter: Keep the crown dry. In hard frost, tie the leaves up, wrap the crown in fleece and mulch the base. Pots go against a sheltered wall.
- Pruning: Only cut off lower leaves that have turned fully brown, close to the trunk. Never cut into the crown – that is where new leaves grow.
- Pots: Use a large, heavy pot with drainage holes, John Innes No. 3 and grit. Raise it on pot feet so it never sits in water.
How to plant a palm tree
- Plant in spring or early summer, once the soil has warmed up.
- Choose a sunny spot sheltered from cold north and east winds.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and just as deep.
- Mix grit or sharp sand into the soil so water drains away freely.
- Set the palm at the same depth it grew in the pot, backfill and firm in.
- Water well, then once a week through its first summer.
How to protect a palm tree in winter
- Mulch the base with bark or straw to keep frost off the roots.
- Gather the leaves upwards and tie them loosely with soft twine.
- Wrap the crown and top of the trunk in horticultural fleece – two layers in a hard frost.
- Keep the crown dry: the growing point can rot if it sits wet and frozen.
- Open the fleece on mild days and take it off for good once the hard frosts are over, usually in March or April.
Plant them with tree ferns, olive trees, terracotta pots or topiary and hedging.
Palm tree FAQs
Which palm trees survive UK winters?
The hardiest palms for the UK are Trachycarpus fortunei and Trachycarpus wagnerianus (about −15°C), followed by Jubaea chilensis (−12°C), Chamaerops humilis, Brahea armata and Cordyline australis (about −10°C). Phoenix canariensis and Cycas revoluta (about −7°C) and Washingtonia robusta (about −5°C) do best in milder southern and coastal gardens or with winter protection.
What is the hardiest palm tree for the UK?
Trachycarpus fortunei, the windmill or Chusan palm. An established plant takes short spells of about −15°C, grows in sun or part shade and copes with wind, which is why it grows all over the UK, including Scotland.
How cold can a palm tree survive?
It depends on the palm. As a guide for established plants in a short cold spell: Trachycarpus −15°C, Chamaerops and Cordyline −10°C, Phoenix canariensis −7°C and Washingtonia robusta −5°C. Wet cold is harder on palms than dry cold, and young plants are more tender.
Do palm trees need protecting in winter in the UK?
Hardy palms such as Trachycarpus usually need no protection in an ordinary winter. When a hard frost is forecast, or for less hardy palms, tie the leaves up, wrap the crown in horticultural fleece and mulch the base. Wrapping gives roughly 2–3°C of extra protection and keeps the crown dry.
How fast do palm trees grow in the UK?
In a sheltered UK garden Washingtonia robusta is the fastest at 40–90 cm a year. Trachycarpus fortunei grows about 25–35 cm a year, Cordyline 20–40 cm, Phoenix canariensis 15–30 cm, Chamaerops humilis 10–15 cm and the sago palm Cycas revoluta just 2–5 cm. Warmth, water and feeding all speed growth up.
When is the best time to plant a palm tree?
Spring to early summer, roughly April to June, once the soil has warmed up. This gives the roots a full growing season to establish before their first winter.
Can palm trees grow in pots?
Yes. Chamaerops humilis, Cycas revoluta, Trachycarpus wagnerianus and young Phoenix grow well in large pots. Use a heavy pot with drainage holes, John Innes No. 3 with grit, water through summer and move the pot to a sheltered wall in winter.
How often should I water a palm tree?
Water once a week through the first summer after planting, more often in hot spells or in pots. Once established, most hardy palms only need water in long dry periods. In winter keep them on the dry side.
Should I cut the brown leaves off my palm tree?
Cut off lower leaves only once they have turned fully brown, close to the trunk. Green or partly green leaves still feed the palm, and you should never cut into the crown, where new leaves grow.
Can you grow palm trees in Scotland or the north of England?
Yes. Trachycarpus fortunei and Trachycarpus wagnerianus grow well in the north and in Scotland. Choose a spot sheltered from cold wind, use free-draining soil and keep fleece ready for the hardest frosts.
What is the difference between a fan palm and a feather palm?
Fan palms such as Trachycarpus, Chamaerops and Washingtonia have round, hand-shaped leaves. Feather palms such as Phoenix canariensis and Jubaea have long arching leaves with many narrow leaflets, like a feather.
Do you deliver palm trees across the UK?
Yes. Delivery is free to most of mainland UK, usually within 3–7 days. Every palm is hand-selected and checked before it leaves us – message us on WhatsApp for photos of the exact tree.
Questions? Call or WhatsApp Palm and Olive on 07481 102135 or email info@palmandolive.co.uk.