Welp. For those of you who don't know me and don't follow all of my posts, I professionally bounce back and forth between hotels in east Texas. Anyway this month I'm at a hotel that previously had what I'm guessing were Sabals that didn't survive the 2021 palmageddon, and the palm corpses are still in place. Our companies sister properties are in Houston near IAH, and are landscaped with Washies that were healthy and seeding a few months ago when I was in Houston for training. Long story short - 

 

Palm nerds, what would you suggest that will survive South Texas heat and North Texas winters? I know the answer is either Sabal or Trachycarpus, but I'm asking anyway.  We also have 2 planters near the door, and for whatever reason the last management thought Monstera Deliciosa was a good idea, and they literally melted in our last cold snap. 

 

So I'm asking for suggestions for giant trees that will survive outdoors unprotected between 10 and 100°f plus little crap that could theoretically be brought indoors. 

 

 

 

 

6 hours ago, JohnAndSancho said:

Welp. For those of you who don't know me and don't follow all of my posts, I professionally bounce back and forth between hotels in east Texas. Anyway this month I'm at a hotel that previously had what I'm guessing were Sabals that didn't survive the 2021 palmageddon, and the palm corpses are still in place. Our companies sister properties are in Houston near IAH, and are landscaped with Washies that were healthy and seeding a few months ago when I was in Houston for training. Long story short - 

 

Palm nerds, what would you suggest that will survive South Texas heat and North Texas winters? I know the answer is either Sabal or Trachycarpus, but I'm asking anyway.  We also have 2 planters near the door, and for whatever reason the last management thought Monstera Deliciosa was a good idea, and they literally melted in our last cold snap. 

 

So I'm asking for suggestions for giant trees that will survive outdoors unprotected between 10 and 100°f plus little crap that could theoretically be brought indoors. 

 

 

 

 

Essentially any sabal.. honestly.. take a look at my youtube and you can see the results of our winters and how everything look.  In my sig.  SO many options it's not even funny.

Agree - Sabals. If you really want “giant” palms go with Sabal causiarum. But bear in mind that really get massive. Mine makes the palmetto next to it look like a dwarf. Sabal maritima also gets very large. I believe Sabal uresana gets big, but mine didn’t take much to my sweltering climate and lingered 18 months before carking it so I don’t know how it would take East Texas summers. Of course, Sabal mexicana might also be a good choice

Butia is another option besides Sabal. Will take a while to get giant but it looks good at all stages of life imo. Seems to love east Texas soil too 

Edited January 10, 20233 yr by Xenon

Washingtonia Filifera are hardy in San Antonio . I don't know how well they do near Houston since Filiferas don't like high humidity too much other than that any Sabal palm do well here.  I would add CIDP , Pindo, European fan to my list. Robustas yes and no. 

12 hours ago, JohnAndSancho said:

... I know the answer is either Sabal or Trachycarpus, but I'm asking anyway. ...

 

I'd leave Trachycarpus out of your equation. They simply don't really appreciate relentless high summer heat.

Sabal mexicana is the best choice, with butias as an option. Sabal causiarum is great, if you have the space.  The planters could be filled with various canna, ginger, or tumeric species, but you'll want a hardy evergreen planted as well for the winter. Zamia furfuracea would be great in containers, which could be moved into the lobby during the winter.