Many people think of palm trees exclusively on Mediterranean beaches or oases, areas with a mild climate all year round. However, palm trees are extremely versatile and thrive not only in tropical swamps, rainforests or deserts, but even in cool mountain forests and at altitudes of over 2000 meters. Here the attractive plants have to survive snow and sub-zero temperatures and have adapted extremely well to these harsh climatic conditions.

Some palm species can cope with snow and frost

Frost hardy palm trees, also something for our gardens?

Numerous examples show that the year-round outdoor cultivation of palm plants is very successful in our latitudes. The care is not as complex as expected, at least if you only choose species that are sufficiently winter-proof. Don't be afraid to try it, nothing can go wrong with our care instructions.

Appropriate Varieties

Most commonly found in our green spaces are:

  • hemp palm
  • needle palm
  • dwarf palmetto
  • honey palm

There are also other palm species that are quite hardy. The sub-zero temperatures the plant can withstand is usually noted on the plant label.

If you want to plant the palm directly, you should not buy a too small specimen in a specialist shop. The plants grow quite slowly and plants under 50 centimeters are still too sensitive to remain in the garden all year round.

Alternatively, you can take care of a small or self-grown tub plant on the balcony or terrace for the first few years and overwinter in the house. Once the palm tree has reached the required size, you can place the beauty in its final place.

Carefully acclimate to the outdoors

After the long winter months, palm trees are no different than us: If you were to suddenly take them out of your room and into the blazing sun and leave them outside all day, this would severely damage the plants. There is a risk of sunburn and frost damage from late night frosts. Therefore, give the palm some time to acclimatize.

It has proven useful to first place the plants in a sheltered spot on the balcony or terrace where they only get a few hours of morning or evening sun. If there is a threat of frost, spread plant fleece loosely over the palm tree or bring it back indoors for a short time.

After a week or two, you can move the palm tree and the pot to your final garden spot. Only when she has completely settled in here after a few days will she be used.

Which location is suitable?

Even a winter-hardy palm needs one if possible

  • to warm
  • sunny
  • sheltered from the wind
  • not too wet

Location. This is relatively easy to do in the home garden.

Sufficient heat and sun

Choose a spot near a south-facing house wall. Here the sun reaches the plant for a few hours even in the winter months. It can never be too sunny for the palm tree, where summer heat affects other plants, it feels absolutely fine there. Another advantage: The wall surface stores heat even in the cold season and radiates it at night, so that the ambient temperature is always a few degrees higher.

Protection from wind

Gusts of wind ruffle the attractive fronds and can snap them off, which looks unsightly and can damage the plant. In addition, it is always a bit cooler in windy locations, which the heat-loving sun worshiper does not like at all.

Not too wet

Of course, palm trees also need enough water, but they do not like a place with waterlogging. Well-drained soil is ideal. An optional drainage layer in the planting hole ensures optimal water drainage.

Even hardy palm trees need protection from frost

How hardy the palm tree you planted is depends on two factors:

  • The palm species
  • The age of the plant.
  • The duration of the frost period.

A single day when the temperature falls below what the planted variety can withstand does not usually damage the palm. However, if the thermometer falls over a longer period of time, even a palm tree that has been declared winter-proof needs adequate winter protection.

In very mild regions, it is often sufficient to loosely tie the leaves together and apply a thick layer of mulch in the root area. You can also wrap the plant in a straw mat or a jute sack (€10.99).

In rougher locations, a temporary greenhouse is recommended, which you can build yourself or purchase ready-made from specialist retailers. Slat struts, which are covered with fleece or special plant foil, can be produced inexpensively and with relatively little effort on your own. No matter which variant you choose, ensure that every closed winter shelter is ventilated regularly to prevent fungal infestation.

tips

A blanket of snow has an insulating effect and does not harm the hardy palm trees. However, snow is also quite heavy and bends the fronds. Therefore, shake off the white splendor from the fronds or the fleece surrounding them when it snows.

Category:

Trees