Cold hardiness of Dypsis Paludosa

[annafl]

I have a small, non-clustering Dypsis Paludosa planted in my Sarasota, FL garden.  It is a cute thing approximately 4-5 feet in height.  I'm wondering what the cold-hardiness experience is for this palm.  Thanks in advance!

[annafl]

Just to give a little more information, it is in part-sun, with tree canopies very close by but not directly above.  It has been in the ground I think about a year (don't really remember, I'm afraid, but we had a relatively mild winter last year (low was about 36-7).  Thanks again for looking.  Any bit of experience is appreciated.

[Josh-O]

I have a small 3' footer in shade and it has seen temps as low at 38F with out skipping a beat

[Pando]

Same here, it saw 38 or so last winter, no issues. Keep the soil watered at all times though, it does not like dry soil at all.

[annafl]

Thanks so much, Josh-O and Pando!  I was hoping someone would say even lower, but maybe someone else will chime in too.  Thanks again.

[PalmatierMeg]

You are in Sarasota? Near the coast or further inland? What are your minimum lows in a normal winter? What is your zone? If 9b or below your palm could be in trouble most winters. I would guess this palm can take down to freezing without frost. Frost should decrease its viability. Sarasota is 1-1/2 hours north of me but even Punta Gorda (20 miles north) has significantly colder lows than I do - freezing and below. I suggest you look into protecting this palm if your low goes below 35. Hunt for cotton flannel sheets at Goodwill or Salvation Army. To protect my Licuala grandis (long gone after Jan. 2010) I set up a frame over the whole palm, covered that with sheets, then set up shop lights around the trunk aiming upward toward the growing point - heat rises. A space heater might also work but beware of burning the palm with one of those. You need to provide enough heat and protection to give it a precious few degrees above freezing that might save its life.

[annafl]

Thanks for your response, Meg.  We've never had frost, but our minimum average lows are probably around 32?  Not sure.  The last two winters have been mild.  We are one house away from the intracoastal.  I would guess we're borderline 9b/10a.  Do you have Dypsis Paludosa?  If so, how has it done during past winters?

 

[PalmatierMeg]

I don't have one of them - yours is lovely so I might consider trying it. But I would keep it potted with my other container palms on the lanai. I've learned the hard way that one hard winter can wipe out dozens of tropical palms. My larger palms sit on wheeled dollies so I can roll them indoors when temps fall below 40-45F. Your being near water might help somewhat because of moderation from the Gulf. But arctic fronts from due north negate that benign influence. I still suggest you make plans to protect your palm before real cold hits.

[annafl]

Thanks so much.