New Jersey Summer Pot Palms

[JJNJ]

I live in southern New Jersey and would like to know what are the best Palm options for large containers in South Jersey. I would like to place 3-4 in XL containers around my pool for the summer. Our summer months of July and August can get very hot and humid with temps in the mid 90's. My pool deck is full sun.  I have some growing knowledge but nothing in regards to Palms so any growing advice in regards to daily moisture and feeding would be very helpful. Thank you.

 

[Adam_NY]

Do you have a place to keep them over the winter? If not, your best option would be to get a few large majesty palms. They sell them at Home Depot at a reasonable price even for large (6ft) size. They aren’t the best palms for storing over the winter, even in the house, but if you don’t plan on keeping them, it’s the cheapest option to get a tropical look. 
 

For fertilizer, just buy a bag of Osmocote and apply per the directions. You only have to apply twice, one around May 1 and once around mid July. Water deeply (till water comes out the bottom of the pot) once or twice a week unless it rains regularly or it’s super hot (above 90 water once every couple days). 

Edited March 18, 2024 by Adam_NY

[JJNJ]

I do have access to a heated greenhouse come winter so I’m guessing this will broaden my options? Any experience with others ?

[Adam_NY]

The challenge up here is finding palms of decent size for a not absurd price. Growing palms from a 1 or 3 gal size (where you can order a huge selection online) to something larger is possible but it takes a long time (like years and years) because up here most palms will stop growing or slow way down during the winter. 
 

Lowes in the northeast generally gets Queen palms (Syagrus romanzoffiana) and spindle palms (Hyophorbe verschaffelti) that are of decent size (4-6 ft). These overwinter well in a heated greenhouse or even indoors (I have a spindle that spends the winter in my house next to a big window with a humidifier). Lowes also usually gets Christmas palms (Adonidia merrilli) but they often look ratty and will not overwinter well up here. 
 

You may find some other options at local nurseries. South Jersey will probably get some better selection that we see in the NYC area. The issue is that most nurseries will want hundreds of dollars for palms of decent size. 

Edited March 18, 2024 by Adam_NY

[5am]

Since it's next to a pool I'm going to rule out anything with thorns. 

I agree with @Adam_NY about the majesty palms if you don't want to go through the trouble of storing them over winter. They're gorgeous, fast growing, and available at big box stores. In DFW summer mine drank as much as I'd give it, daily. 

If you don't mind moving heavy pots twice a year, Sabal minor has my vote. Massive leaves that will take all the sun, heat, and humidity that you can give them. It'll also handle cooler weather than the majesty. Very slow growing so buy as large as you can afford. They do make an underground trunk, so a taller pot is better than a wider pot. 

[PashkaTLT]

Just FYI, in my experience, Majesty palms are not good at handling relocation stress and may not feel well indoors. They do well outdoors in the summer, though. But if you want to keep them inside, maybe don't spend too much on them and first get some experience with them.

If you are fine with taking palms indoors for the winter (they may need additional artificial light and a humidifier), then there are many options. Home Depot & Walmart often carry palm trees at prices that you can't beat here in states like NJ.

Here's the list I made when I was choosing cold hardy palms for myself:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19G4Whr3YMCD0dUXki5rGPU5E_Q4oFweP/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=101175115139954627393&rtpof=true&sd=true

Zone 5-8 palms should do well until freezing temperatures outside. Zone 9 palms feel uncomfortable when the temperatures drop lower than 50F. And I wouldn't go for zone 10 palms, their period outside will be too short in NJ.

I've planted/will plant zone 5-8 outside and I protect them with boxes in the winter. That's so so much work though. Zone 9 palms I keep outside in pots and take inside for the winter.

My palm room in the winter: