Hello! I was just wondering if anyone had backyard nurseries in San Diego, Los Angeles, Palm Springs area and if they were selling any palms! I just bought a house in El Centro, CA, and would like to start collecting plants to plant out in the fall!

Congrats Kyle! Obviously I can’t help unfortunately but I know it’s been a source of frustration for you not having your own place and full control of your collection. I fully expect your palm collection and obsession will get completely out of control now if you’re anything like me 🤣

Thank you! Unfortunately, it's in El Centro, CA, which isn't the best climate for palms - it's a hot desert climate that sometimes gets winter frosts, but I figured I will be here for about 5 years, so figured I might as well buy a house before one day moving into a permanent place. It's amazing how difficult it is to get exotic palms in California! Only a handful of commercial places sell them, but I know many enthusiasts have backyard nurseries! I've been having fun experimenting with what can handle the hot desert climate, however, and have had a few surprises, so am looking forward to experimenting in a place that won't randomly shut off the water when I leave town! lol

It's a blank slate!

Listen, my friend. You must first buy giant palm trees. These giant palm trees will protect the more delicate and exotic tropical palms. They will protect them with their fronds. Those leaves will create a favorable microclimate for your large collection.

It’s crazy the places you have been and lived. I will admit, El Centro wasn’t on my list for you

I have to say it was beyond disappointing when I worked and prepared 14 years towards finally moving to Hilo, HI, and had everything set up to establish myself there, only to be met with a housing crisis, living out of my car/hotel, and subsequently having to emergently find a new job, which just happened to be in El Centro, CA. If I had moved to Hilo, HI only 6 months earlier, none of this would have happened 😔 Now I have my eyes on Mexico in 5 years to finally have my permanent garden, as it looks like Hawaii and coastal southern California are no longer realistic options for a large palm garden. Either way, though, it's been fun experimenting with palms in the desert and seeing which ones can take the heat. Many palm trees have pleasantly surprised me!

There are a few palms that can handle the inland temps that El Centro has . Perhaps some of the inland folks can help out. Congratulations on the house! Harry

2 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

There are a few palms that can handle the inland temps that El Centro has . Perhaps some of the inland folks can help out. Congratulations on the house! Harry

Some of my favorites that have no problem with desert extremes include Bismarckia, Brahea, Coccothrinax, Copernicia,, Hemithrinax, Pseudophoenix, and Sabals. Unfortunately, most are slow growers, and somewhat difficult to locate, especially in larger sizes, on the west coast.

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona

Becarriopheonix handles the desert, many folks here in AZ have Royal palms they thrive in heat.

On 6/18/2026 at 7:04 AM, aztropic said:

Some of my favorites that have no problem with desert extremes include Bismarckia, Brahea, Coccothrinax, Copernicia,, Hemithrinax, Pseudophoenix, and Sabals. Unfortunately, most are slow growers, and somewhat difficult to locate, especially in larger sizes, on the west coast.

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona

I suspect El Centro can get colder lows in winter than you have in Phoenix but I did immediately think you would have the best recommendations for Kyle for his climate. Given that many of the palms you mention are slow, no better time to start acquiring than now. Perhsps a shade cloth area for Kyle's backyard would be appropriate given the time of year.

Kyle you may be better served acquiring from someone in Phoenix for plants already acclimated to heat. You can also throw in a few cycads that will add to the tropical vibe.

2 hours ago, Tracy said:

I suspect El Centro can get colder lows in winter than you have in Phoenix but I did immediately think you would have the best recommendations for Kyle for his climate. Given that many of the palms you mention are slow, no better time to start acquiring than now. Perhsps a shade cloth area for Kyle's backyard would be appropriate given the time of year.

Kyle you may be better served acquiring from someone in Phoenix for plants already acclimated to heat. You can also throw in a few cycads that will add to the tropical vibe.

Here are the averages for each city.

59 minutes ago, Jim in Los Altos said:

Here are the averages for each city.

Helpful but as Kyle observed, they do get frost in El Centro. Those 2 to 3 degrees F lower in December and January are averages. It is the lowest lows and their duration, as well as the duration of the highs that determine survival of sensitive plants at the margin. Good info all the same Jim.

So.... does anyone have backyard nurseries in Southern California? I cannot buy plants in Arizona as there are agriculture inspection stations when you enter the state so was hoping people in Southern California had backyard nurseries, since it's not very easy to find exotic palms in California.

Congratulations! I know you've been in need of some land for so long! There were some people in Arizona on YouTube growing out fruit forests in the extreme heat. They were able to grow all kinds of cool things. Lots of wood chips and established canopy and you might be surprised what you can pull off.

You would be in luck if I was in the neighbourhood!

On 6/18/2026 at 2:13 PM, tim_brissy_13 said:

Congrats Kyle! Obviously I can’t help unfortunately but I know it’s been a source of frustration for you not having your own place and full control of your collection. I fully expect your palm collection and obsession will get completely out of control now if you’re anything like me 🤣

Cmon Tim where all like you🤣

On 6/18/2026 at 2:29 PM, kylecawazafla said:

It's a blank slate!

Good luck, get a vision of what you’re after and in time it becomes clear. That’s what I did some odd 30 years ago!

Not sure I’d call him a nursery, but Joe Palma has a pretty good selection for a “backyard “ guy. Btw, some desert guys have had great luck with Medemia, which has become easier to find and is surprisingly fast growing. Loves heat.

@kylecawazafla glad to hear about your new place!

There’s a lot of cool palms that will make it out your way, though possible cold will likely limit more than heat.

Caribbean palms and Bizzies and Medemias are a good start!

Kyle, I forgot to mention you should attend some of the next Palm Society of Southern California meetings for the auctions. There are always plenty of things people donate for the auctions. I have acquired many palms at those meetings over the years. I think based on your posts over the years, you know what won't survive in El Centro and have a pretty good idea of most of the genra that will either thrive or at least have a chance in your current home. Added bonus, you will probably meet people that have germinated a few things in their gardens that have extras at a meeting.... i.e. the backyard growers.

Thank you! That's a great idea! I will look into these. It's amazing how difficult it is to find palms online! I can't even find Roystonea oleracea 😩

7 hours ago, Tracy said:

Kyle, I forgot to mention you should attend some of the next Palm Society of Southern California meetings for the auctions. There are always plenty of things people donate for the auctions. I have acquired many palms at those meetings over the years. I think based on your posts over the years, you know what won't survive in El Centro and have a pretty good idea of most of the genra that will either thrive or at least have a chance in your current home. Added bonus, you will probably meet people that have germinated a few things in their gardens that have extras at a meeting.... i.e. the backyard growers.

Congrats on the milestone Kyle and for the future vision..

For the moment, definitely looks like you've got a nice, blank canvas to create something one of a kind.

Since i'm sure you're well on the way to solving the " where to find stuff " angle, some thoughts on the ..other considerations / factors ...or whatever you choose to call it.

Being ..essentially.. right next to the Gulf, you're humidity values will be better than here ..more often than not at least.. during the summer = plus.. Some humidity there during the winter too, but since the Gulf itself is cooler and general flow across the region during the cooler months is out of the West / Southwest, air is much drier than it can be during the summer. ( = a good thing as it regards frost potential, compared to areas over the hill, closer to the coast at least )

That said, El Centro sits in the driest portion of the overall Sonoran Desert Eco -region, and just outside the core region for " reliable " Monsoon season rainfall ...a minus, as far as summer rainfall is concerned. You can get more rain than we might from late season tropical stuff though during a good year.

Obviously, you can mitigate that " less than ideal rainfall " challenge, esp. if like @BayAndroid mentions, you get canopy - forming trees or palms in the ground, essentially right from the start.. More of it you have? more tender ( to the sun ..and occasional sub - 32F cold ) things you should be able to get away with.. It is pretty amazing what i've seen growing in yards w/ well established canopy.

Despite what some seem to assume, El Centro is zone 10 ..solidly, ..if not easily flirting with 10B ATM ..and headed forward.. Worrying about a few days in the low 30s or ..at the worst, the 27 -29F range is silly.. I see the same " risk / possibility " each winter here ...that is when a given winter is actually " cool ". I've also had no issues with some assumed ( ..according to what is suggested by research ) 11B -12B stuff i've grown for ...years... outside, all winter, ..even during the coolest ones i have experienced. You're in a better spot for some of that stuff than here above 1K feet also.

As mentioned, keep in mind that being where you are, air is drier, ..compared to somewhere near the coast, or some place like FL. so ..even if it did drop to say 30F on a morning or two in a given winter, that 30F typically only occurs right at sunrise. Very rare that within an hour or two, you wouldn't be back above -at least- 40 - 42F

..So, No, cold won't be your biggest challenge. ..Not 98% of the time at least. You may be many years into enjoying the fruits of your future plans by the time some big, scary cold spell hits that area, if it ever does again.

Damage risk caused by heat / all day, full sun exposure? Yes, that is your top mitigation priority, just like it is here..

FYI: for checking the weather / historical stats content, El Centro is technically within our / the Phoenix NWS forecast zone.. Don't depend on weather app non sense. Welcome to the " Desert Rat " club btw, lol

While his focus is native /native foraging - centric, you might check out content from Brad Lancaster, author of a couple books / website / YT content related to rainwater harvesting techniques in /for dry climates for any ideas you might not have considered, and adjust said ideas that might interest you as you see fit for what you want to create in your yard.

Regardless,

Good luck, and look forward to seeing what you create now that you are somewhere where others won't be able to constantly thwart your vision, lol..

I would say definitely try Hyphaene, but if you’re only going to be there for five years you probably won’t have much return by then.

I stand corrected by @Silas_Sancona and other sages of the desert.

Surprised nobody mentioned the obvious palms: jubaea and parajubaea torallyi. Some desert livistonas too. Many phoenixes to choose from.

Sterling Callahan in Oceanside 760-473-3283. Hehas a lot of cool stuff. Palms, cycads, and other material.... some older and bigger. His prices are more than fair.

Like mentioned above Joe in San Marcos.

5 hours ago, VA Jeff said:

Surprised nobody mentioned the obvious palms: jubaea and parajubaea torallyi. Some desert livistonas too. Many phoenixes to choose from.

Jubaea and Parajubaea would positively hate a hot desert climate.