PALMAPALOOZA: Palm Guide with Meeting Green

When you think of Charleston, you probably think of palm trees! From the white palmetto on our state flag to the many varieties lining the streets around town, you truly see them every where. We're celebrating our 7th birthday and these fun plants by throwing the party of the summer, PALMAPALOOZA on Saturday, August 16th at Meeting Green! You can shop palms 15% off at PALMAPALOOZA or get started early and shop online for 25% off! Use this guide and find the perfect palm for your space this summer.

Our favorite 'houseplant' palms:

1. Chrysalidocarpus ‘Areca’ Palm: The Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, also known as Areca Palm, is a multi-stemmed and clustering palm that can grow as tall as 30ft tall and 15ft wide in its native habitat! This palm is often grown as a house plant in temperate climates, liking bright light and drying out half way between waterings. It is characterized by its bright yellow stems and fronds. 

2. Chamaedorea ‘Bamboo’ Palm: The Chamaedorea seifizii palm, also known as the Bamboo Palm, is a subtropical plant that has clusters of thin “bamboo-like” stalks and wispy fronds. This palm is a common house plant, liking medium light and drying out about half way between waterings. Once the first two inches of top soil are dry, it’s time for a soak—making sure the the palm has good drainage and not left too soggy.

3. Chamaedorea ‘Parlor’ Palm: The Chamaedorea elegans, also known as Parlor Palm, need bright indirect light, though they can tolerate low light conditions, and need low to medium humidity levels. Overwatering can be an issue with this plant, needing to be in well draining soil and let the top inch of soil dry before waterings. It has been shown to remove indoor air pollutants.

Our go-to porch and patio palms:

1. Livistona ‘Chinese Fan’ Palm: The Livistona chinensis, also known as Chinese Fan Palm, has long cascading leaves that droop in a fountain-like effect. Likes full to part sun, however in our Charleston climate, fronds may burn in full sun without reprieve, but will adjust over time. It has great clumping possibilities for hedges and landscaping, and it can be grown as an indoor plant as well. 

2. Rhapis ‘Lady’ Palm: Rhapis excelsa, also known as the Lady Palm, has deep green fronds that have 4-10 blunt-ended leaf segments sprouting from slender stems. As an indoor plant, it needs indirect light and can withstand deep shade. It needs well draining soil and regular watering. It is a clustering palm and can be divided by underground rhizomes.

3. Syagrus ‘Queen’ Palm: The Syagrus romanzoffiana, also known as Queen Palm, is characterized as one of the hardiest of the tropical-looking palm with a suitability for planting in zone 9B. Queen Palm likes full sun to part shade with average watering. It is popular and characterized by its feathery leaves and graceful arching fronds. The leaves are not considered “self cleaning” and will need to be removed once they are spent. It is tolerant to cool temperatures as low as 25F degrees, and is typically recommended for pots.

Classic landscaping palms:

1. Sabal ‘Dwarf Palmetto’ Palm: The Sabal minor, also known as Dwarf Palmetto Palm, is a Lowcountry staple, hardy and found throughout all of South Carolina. It likes the full to partial sun, moist soil, and is characterized by most of its trunk being below ground. Sabal minor grows slowly, averaging about 4-5ft high and wide, and is most often planted in groups for a rich pop of texture in your garden. 

2. Trachycarpus ‘Windmill’ Palm: Trachycarpus fortunei, also known as Windmill Palm, is a hardy palm found throughout South Carolina. It likes part sun and some shade in warmer areas and ample water, however it will not tolerate standing water or excessive salt spray. This palm grows to be about 20ft tall and is characterized by its tall skinny trunk with black burlap fibers on its trunk as well as sharp teeth on its petioles.

3. Butia ‘Pindo’ Palm: The Butia odorata, also known as the Pindo Palm, is a low country staple, hardy and found all throughout South Carolina. It likes full sun, however its leaves grow longer in partial shade (though it will lose its silvery color), and well draining soil. It will tolerate drought and some salt spray. This is a slow growing palm, reaching 10-20ft in height

4. Butiagrus ‘Mule’ Palm: The Butiagrus nabonnandii, also known as the Mule Palm, is a hybrid tree—crossing both the Pindo and Queen Palms to create this lowcountry beauty. It likes full sun (but will tolerate some shade), and is drought tolerant once established. It is a fast growing tree, reaching 15-20ft tall and is characterized by its tall arching fronds (darker and taller than its ancestral Pindo Palm). 

5. Bismarckia ‘Silver’ Palm: The Bismarckia nobilis, also known as Bismarckia Silver Palm, is a slow growing and hardy palm to zone 8B, liking sun and well draining soil. It is characterized by its silver-blue fronds that really pop, especially when next to dark green foliage, and a robust solitary trunk. All together, this palm can reach upwards of 40ft tall and 9 ft wide. 

Shop now for 25% off and come pick up your new palms at PALMAPALOOZA on august 16th!