Palm Freeze Survival List

[_Keith]

OK, here is another rendition.  I think this is the end of commonly available info on minimal survival temps.  

Disclaimers

I am not a palm expert.  This info is not scientific.  It was gathered from various websites, blogs, message boards including this one, etc.

In each case I have attempted to verify minimal survival temps from at least 2 sources, 3 where possible, in a very small number it was only 1.

This list represents temperatures where palms were known to survive, not die.  Many of these palms have died at higher temperatures.  I would say that a healthy palm, in the right place might survive these minimum temps.

No guarantees.  This is an experimenters reference.  

In the next renditions, I will add common names, and frost tolerance info, where available.

I started this as a learning effort for myself.  I could use some help.  I know some folks on this board have more info.  Quite a bit of this was picked up from the past post of active posters here.  

My interest here is creating best list possible.  After scouring a great number of these lists, I think in the end, with your help, this could be the most comprehensive as far as total number of palms covered, if nothing else.  It is completely in the public domain for all to use as they see fit.

NFT = Not frost tolerant, regardless of surface temp.  Just starting to add this info.  It is not at all complete.

Acanthophoenix rubra 20

Acoelorrhaphe wrightii 20

Acrocomia aculeata v mexicana 26

Acrocomia media 25

Acrocomia totai 26

Adonia Merilli 25

Allagoptera arenaria 25

Allagopteria campestris 25

Allagopteria leucocalyx

Archontophoenix alexandrae 28

Archontophoenix cunninghamiana 28

Arenga caudata 27

Arenga engleri - shorter form 20

Arenga engleri - taller form 23

Arenga micrantha 20

Attalea cohune 28 N

Attalea dubia 25

Attalea rostrata 27

Bactris mexicana 27

Bactris setosa 25

Beccariophoenix alfredii 28

Beccariophoenix madagascariensis 26

Bismarckia noblis 24

Borassus aethiopum 24

Brahea aculeata 24

Brahea armata 15

Brahea berlandieri 15

Brahea brandegeei 24

Brahea clara 24

Brahea decumbens 15

Brahea dulcis 15

Brahea dulcis 'Blue' 26

Brahea edulis 24

Brahea moorei 15

Brahea nitida 26

Brahea pimo 25

Brahea sarukhanii 25

Brahea 'Super Silver'

Burretiokentia hapala 28

Butia archeri 25

Butia arenicola

Butia bonetti 10

Butia capitata 15

Butia capitata 'lax leaf' 16

Butia capitata 'odorata' 15

Butia capitata x Jubea 16

Butia capitata x Syagrus coronata 'Butiagrus houstonii' 16

Butia capitata x Syagrus picophylla 'Butia x picophylla' 16

Butia capitata x Syagrus romanzoffiania 'Mule Palm' 16

Butia eriospatha 15

Butia microspadix

Butia odorata

Butia paraguayensis 15

Butia purpurascens 15

Butia yatay 15

Calamus caryotoides 26

Calamus usitatus 26

Caryota gigas 27

Caryota gigas 'Black Trunk' 27

Caryota maxima 'Himalaya' 27

Caryota mitis 25

Caryota 'Mystery Cluster'

Caryota obtusa (India Form) 27

Caryota ochlandra 27

Caryota urens 29

Ceroxylon alpinum 26

Ceroxylon parvifrons 23

Ceroxylon quindiuense 26

Ceroxylon vogelianum 28

Chamaedora pumila 26

Chamaedorea brachypoda 26

Chamaedorea cataractarum 26

Chamaedorea costaricana 25

Chamaedorea elegans 26

Chamaedorea ernesti-augusti 27

Chamaedorea fragrans 27

Chamaedorea glaucifolia 26

Chamaedorea graminifolia 30

Chamaedorea hooperiana 27

Chamaedorea klotzchiana 26

Chamaedorea metalica 26

Chamaedorea microspadix 20

Chamaedorea oblongata 27

Chamaedorea oreophila 25

Chamaedorea plumosa 26

Chamaedorea pochutlensis 26

Chamaedorea pochutlensis x graminifolia 25

Chamaedorea radicalis 22

Chamaedorea seifrizii 26

Chamaedorea stolonifera 26

Chamaerops humilis 16

Chamaerops humilis cerifera 16

Chambeyronia macrocarpa 30

Chuniophoenix hainansis 26

Coccothrinax argentata (provinence important) 26

Coccothrinax barbadensis 24

Coccothrinax crinata 26

Coccothrinax miraguama 26

Cocos nucifera 26

Copernicia alba 26

Copernicia fallaense 26

Copernicia glabrescens 26

Copernicia hospita 26

Copernicia macroglossa 24

Copernicia prunifera (inexplainably hardy) 26

Corypha elata 26

Corypha umbraculifera 26

Cryosophila stauracantha 26

Cyphophoenix nucele 26

Dypsis baronii 28

Dypsis decaryi 27

Dypsis decipiens 26

Dypsis lutescens 25

Dypsis onilahensis 29

Encephalartos ferox 25

Euterpe edulis 30

Gastrococos crispa 26

Guihaia argyrata 20

Guihaia grossefibrosa 20

Howea forsteriana 28

Hyphaene coriacea 27

Hyphaene dichotoma 27

Juania australis 21

Jubaea chilensis 15

Jubaeopsis caffra 25

Laccospadix australasica 26

Lepidorrachis mooreana 26

Licuala elegans 26

Licuala grandis 26

Licuala ramsayi 26

Licuala spinosa 26

Linospadix monostachya 26

Livistona australis 24

Livistona benthamii 24

Livistona boninensis (Syn. L. chin. ssp. subglossa)

Livistona carinensis 24

Livistona chinensis 24

Livistona chinensis v. subglobossa 24

Livistona decipiens 24

Livistona drudei 24

Livistona fulva 28

Livistona jenkinstana 26

Livistona mariae 25

Livistona muelleri 24

Livistona nitida 22

Livistona rigida 26

Livistona saribus 24

Livistona speciosa

Lytocaryum weddellianum 26

Nannorhops ritchiana 'Iran Silver' and 'Kashmir' 16

Nannorrhops ritchiana 15

Nannorrhops ritchiana 'Silver' 15

Normanbya normanbyi 26

Orbignya phalerata 26

Parajubaea cocoides 26

Parajubaea sunkha 25

Parajubaea torallyi 23

Phoenix acaulis 24

Phoenix canariensis 18

Phoenix canariensis x dactylifera 18

Phoenix dactylifera 20

Phoenix loureiroi v hanceana 26

Phoenix loureiroi v humilis 20

Phoenix loureiroi v loureirii 26

Phoenix loureiroi v pedunculata 20

Phoenix pusilla x roebelenii 26

Phoenix reclinata 22

Phoenix reclinata x roebelenii 24

Phoenix reclinata x rupicola

Phoenix roebelenii 22 ,NFT

Phoenix roebelenii v reasoneri 27

Phoenix roebelenii x canariensis 24

Phoenix rupicola 26

Phoenix sylvestris 18

Phoenix sylvestris v robusta 18

Phoenix theophrasti 20

Phoenix zeylanica

Plectocomia himilayana 24

Pritchardia beccariana 26

Pritchardia hildebrandii 26

Pritchardia minor 29

Pseudophoenix sargentii 26

Ptychosperma microcarpum 26

Ravenea glauca 28

Ravenea madagascariensis 26

Ravenea rivularis 26

Ravenea robustior

Ravenea sambiranensis 26

Ravenea xerophila 26

Ravenea xerophila 26

Rhapidophyllum hystrix 16

Rhapis excelsa 24

Rhapis humilis 20

Rhapis laosensis 26

Rhapis multifidia 24

Rhapis subtitlus 26

Rhopalostylis sapida 26

Rhopalostylis sapida v Chatham 26

Roystonea regia 26

Roystonea borenquenia 26

Sabal "riverside" 8

Sabal bermudana 20

Sabal 'Birmingham' 5

Sabal blackburnia 20

Sabal 'Brazoria 10

Sabal causerium 20

Sabal domingensis 20

Sabal etonia 20

Sabal maritima 20

Sabal mauritiaformis 24

Sabal mexicana 20

Sabal minor 12

Sabal minor louisiana 5

Sabal palmetto 16

Sabal parviflora 26

Sabal pumos 25

Sabal 'Riverside' 8

Sabal rosei 20

Sabal Tamaulipas 5

Sabal uresana 10

Sabal uresana x mexicana 10

Sabal Xtexensis 20

Sabal yapa 26

Scheelea butryracea 26

Scheelea liebmanii 26

Schippia concolor 26

Serenoa repens 20

Serenoa repens ‘Azul' 20

Syagrus campicola

Syagrus comosa

Syagrus duartei

Syagrus flexuosa

Syagrus glaucescens

Syagrus harleyi 25

Syagrus pleioclada

Syagrus romanzoffiana 24

Syagrus sancona 26

Syagrus schizophylla 28

Syagrus yungasensis

Synechanthus fibrosus 26

Thrinax morrisii 26

Thrinax radiata 26

Thrinax radiata 26

Trachycarpus 'Bulgaria' 10

Trachycarpus campestris 10

Trachycarpus fortunei 10

Trachycarpus geminisectus 10

Trachycarpus latisectus 20

Trachycarpus 'manipur' 20

Trachycarpus martianus 20

Trachycarpus 'Naga Hills'

Trachycarpus nanus 10

Trachycarpus oreophilus 20

Trachycarpus princeps 20

Trachycarpus schizophylla

Trachycarpus sikkimensis 25

Trachycarpus takaghii (f T. wagnerianus x m T. fortunei ) 10

Trachycarpus takil 10

Trachycarpus wagnerianus 10

Trithrinax acanthocoma 23

Trithrinax brasiliensis 23

Trithrinax campestris 20

Trithrinax schizophylla 23

Wallichia caryotoides 25

Wallichia densiflora 26

Wallichia disticha 24

Washingtonia filifera 16

Washingtonia filifera x robusta 16

Washingtonia robusta 20

Wodyetia bifurcata (long shot) 27 ,NFT

Zombia antillaru 24

[Jim in Los Altos]

Keith, great effort on your part. This will help those who like to "push" the limits with some palms, including me. One heads up though, 'irregardless' is not a word. It should be spelled out 'regardless'.

[Tad]

..

[JakeK]

Keith,

Rhapidophyllum hystrix and Sabal minor are significantly hardier than the temperatures you have posted. I definitely know this since they're the only two palms can survive year in and out in Cincinnati. It won't matter for 99% of the posters on this board but I've had Rhapidophyllum hystrix survive sub-zero temperatures 4 years in a row and Sabal minor survive 3 years in a row with sub-zero temperatures each with zero protection besides placement.

[NBTX11]

A lot of these numbers look too conservative to me.  I know for a fact Sabal Mexicana is a lot hardier than 20.  That should be more like 10.  Same with Sabal XTexensis.  W. Filifera is hardier than 16F.  These are just a few examples.  These palms, among others, all made it through the great 80s freezes in San Antonio where the temps dipped into the single digits.

[_Keith]

I agree, but have not found 3 sites with hard data.  Help me find them and we'll change it.

BTW - Since the original post I have tried a new google criteria which has yielded some new sites.  I am even going to far as to translate some non-english sites.  We will get it right, but I want to be careful.   Look for another rendition this weekend.

[Randy4ut]

Keith,

   I am a member of the Southeastern Palm Society and here is a list of cold hardy palms with conservative minimums.  I know alot of palms tolerate colder temps with drier winters.  I know we in the southeast that try and push our limits have problems more with our wet winters than we do with the actual temperatures.  Cold duration is also a MAJOR factor in hardiness.

Anyway, here is a link to the list I mentioned...

http://www.sepalms.org/Hardy%2....nce.htm

[sonoranfans]

I think some of the sabal data(excepting riverside) are high.  I have read from a number of sources in the past that sabal bermudana was good to 10-12F.  My own sabal bermudana(11' foot overall) was untouched by 2 days of 20F last year, while syagrus burned all around.  My bermudana has no overhead canopy, and was the first palm in my yard to throw a new spear after the freeze, very healthy.  From what I have read Bermudana is more cold hardy than riverside or causarium.  My sabal blackburniana had slight bronzing at the tips with 2 nights of 20F and a thin overhead canopy.  Its color yellowed slightly after the freeze, while the bermudana was just unfazed in a less protected spot.

[_Keith]

In the end, the variables are near endless, with many exceptions to every finding as is the case with so many living things.  As variable as the weather and when added to it, outcomes are infinite in variety.

The best I can say is "unscientific, no guarantees, and experimenters list."  

The only safe place is with plants native to the area, but then again if that is what you want, just take walks in woods and let God do the work.  He is a fine gardener and build no maintenance gardens.

[_Keith]

(Randy4ut @ Jan. 10 2008,08:13)

QUOTE

Keith,

   I am a member of the Southeastern Palm Society and here is a list of cold hardy palms with conservative minimums.  I know alot of palms tolerate colder temps with drier winters.  I know we in the southeast that try and push our limits have problems more with our wet winters than we do with the actual temperatures.  Cold duration is also a MAJOR factor in hardiness.

Anyway, here is a link to the list I mentioned...

http://www.sepalms.org/Hardy%2....nce.htm

I am a member of the Southeastern Palm Society as well.  I used their website and message board as a reference.  

BTW - On the cover of the membership directory SPS just sent out, is a pinpoint map of all of the members.  There are only 2 dots in entire state of Louisiana.  The bottom dot is me.

[NBTX11]

(keiththibodeaux @ Jan. 09 2008,23:09)

QUOTE

I agree, but have not found 3 sites with hard data.  Help me find them and we'll change it.

BTW - Since the original post I have tried a new google criteria which has yielded some new sites.  I am even going to far as to translate some non-english sites.  We will get it right, but I want to be careful.   Look for another rendition this weekend.

Keith, to me it doesn't matter what the sites say.  I know what the lows were in 83 and 89 (single digits F), and I can look around and see what survived, for example, all Sabals, all W. filiferas, most W. Hybrid Robustas, all Phoenix Canariensis, etc.  To me that is more reliable than any website, I can go around town photographing palms all day long that made it through these freezes, regardless of what any websites say.

[_Keith]

(syersj @ Jan. 12 2008,00:40)

QUOTE

(keiththibodeaux @ Jan. 09 2008,23:09)

QUOTE

I agree, but have not found 3 sites with hard data.  Help me find them and we'll change it.

BTW - Since the original post I have tried a new google criteria which has yielded some new sites.  I am even going to far as to translate some non-english sites.  We will get it right, but I want to be careful.   Look for another rendition this weekend.

Keith, to me it doesn't matter what the sites say.  I know what the lows were in 83 and 89 (single digits F), and I can look around and see what survived, for example, all Sabals, all W. filiferas, most W. Hybrid Robustas, all Phoenix Canariensis, etc.  To me that is more reliable than any website, I can go around town photographing palms all day long that made it through these freezes, regardless of what any websites say.

You are right, of course.  I have paid a lot of attention to posts on message boards from real people as opposed to a list on a site, particularly a list on a nursery site.   That is also why I am trying to get more than one source on each palm, where possible.  

I like you have been adamant on the CIDP hardiness and I too have also been photographing those that made it through 89.    Certainly there are examples.  But here is one thing that nags the back of my mind.  Let’s say New Iberia, a small town down the road.  There are 4 CIDPs that clearly made it through 89.  But what I don’t know is how many there were before the freeze.  So, are these 4 freak survivors out of a hundred, or was there only 10 and they all survived and the others succumbed to other things or bulldozers and chainsaws.  In the first case it was 4% survival rate, so even though some survived I would give that palm a slightly higher minimal survival temp.   If it was 100%, then maybe the 89 temp is still too high and they could go lower.  

In the end it is all a game of slightly educated guesses and as soon as you think you got it, nature throws a curve ball.  That is what keeps it fun.

[NBTX11]

I wasn't here in 89, but based on my research and just the sheer numbers of mature P. Canariensis around San Antonio, I would say that well over 90% survived all the 80s freezes.  Actually close to 100%, but I'm sure there were a few weak ones that died.  But, not many.  Some have freezed damaged trunks, some don't.  Yes, I am very adamant about this, because I could go around photographing Phoenix Canariensis literally all day long.  Seeing is beleiving.  

The 89 temps were definitely at the low end of their hardiness, IMO, they can't take any lower.  My reason is in Austin 80 miles north of SA, most of them died supposedly.  They certainly couldn't take that every year either, they would be in a constant state of defoliation and decline probably.

[Geoff]

What a list like this does not take into account, of course, is what the climate is like.  A lot of the palms on that list are way too high, and some way too low... my guess is these are based on east coast information, which is very different from west coast information (humid, hot climate versus cool, dry climate).  For example you have Adonidia as tolearating 25... yet here in California they don't tolerate even temps into the low 30s.  On the other hand Archonotphoenix cunninghammianas tolerate temps into the low 20s in California (actually we have experienced temps into the mid teens in some areas where there are still many old king palms still alive and growing well).  So these numbers are vastly different for some of these palms depending on where you live.  If you want a California list, check out the Palms for Southern California guide, or visit Palmpedia for a list that has many different numbers than yours (not that one is more correct than another, but both may be correct depending on what climate these palms are in).

[Geoff]

I thought I woud add a few changes from a California point of view:

Acanthophoenix- 29F

Adonidia- 35F

Archontophoenix cunninghammiana- 22F

Bismarckia nobilis blue- 22F

Bismarckia nobilis green- 29F

Brahea clara- 15F

Brahea nitida-22F

Caryota ochlandra- 24F

Caryota urens- 23F

Chamaedorea adscendens- 23F

Chamaedorea metallica- 28F (if that)

Chamaedorea stolonifera- 28F

Chuniophoenix nana- 24F

Chuniophoenix hainensis- 24F

Cocos nucifera- 35F

Copernicia alba- 22F

Copernicia hospita- 32F

Coryphas (all)- 35F though most die at even higher temps

Cyphophoenix elegans- 25F

Dypsis decipiens adult - 20F

dypsis decipiens seedling- 26F

Dypsis onilahensis- 25F

Dypsis saint-lucei- 23F

Euterpe edulis- 26F

Gastrococos crispa- 33F

Licuala elegans- 28F

Licuala spinosa- 24F

Livistona australis- 23F

Livistona carinensis- 29F

Parajubaea torallyi- 26F

Phoenix loureirii- 22F (all)

Phoenix roebellenii- 25F (burned badly at 27F though)

Ravenea rivularis- 27F

Ravenea xerophila- 24F

Rhapidophyllum- 0F

Sabal mauritiiformis- 28F

Sabal yapa- 28F

Syagrus schizophylla- 25F

syagrus yungensis- 25F (maybe better)

Trachycarpus latisectus- 25F

Trachycarpus martianus- 26F

Trachycarpus princeps- 24F

Zombia- 29F

[JMBreland]

Perhaps, two separate lists should be complied for the very different climates of the West and the East. It's really interesting to see how the minimum temperature tolerances vary widely in different climates for some species.

[mppalms]

I would be stoked beyond words if Dypsis saintelucei could survive 23 F in CA. I'm growing a couple (from an initial set of three seedlings), and they look o.k. so far. Any idea about Dypsis ambositrae (both forms) or Dypsis albofarinosa? I have read somewhere that D. albofarinosa is intermediate in hardiness between D. baronii (less) and D. onilahensis (more). I also hope Cyphophoenix elegans is a winner for milder areas up north (bay area). At 25 F, it should be.

Jason

[bubba]

An extremely comprehensive list for purposes of unleashing discussions and experiences regarding those Specimens.Your efforts should be applauded.

[JMBreland]

**applause**

[JMBreland]

Regarding these Dypsis spp., I got stoked when I learned of their hardiness as reported in California, but as I learn more about cold-hardiness differences in a dry vs. wet climate, I'm becoming leery about their potential for the Gulf Coast. I'm pretty sure their minimum temperature tolerance is a good deal higher for here that effectively eliminates them as trial subjects. I have looked for some to try in my garden but the only ones I could obtain are through mail-order (expensive) or traveling waayyyy down to extreme south Florida where decent-sized specimens are still, well, expensive and unloading big bucks for a trial plant isn't exactly a wise idea. As for the option to grow from seed, D. onilahensis is very slow to grow from seed, as far as I know, so it wouldn't surprise me if the other Dypsis spp. are likewise slow to grow from seed.

[fdrc65]

In Northern Italy in 1985 we had -15C (5 F) and snow all around for 15 days, most of Trachicarpus Fortunei survived,

most of Chamaerops humilis had problems and they lost their leaves and trunks, growing up then from the roots.

bye

Edited June 5, 2008 by fdrc65

[BobbyinNY]

In Northern Italy in 1985 we had -15C (5 F) and snow all around for 15 days, most of Trachicarpus Fortunei survived,

most of Chamaerops humilis had problems and they lost their leaves and trunks, growing up then from the roots.

bye

That's really good to know because I have a trachy in the ground here and two of my friends also have trachys in the ground... We get down to 18-25f during the winter months on a regular basis with the occasional 10-15f, so I will be curious to see how these trachys do....

I'm seriously tempted to protect them below 25f for the first winter just to establish a good root system - Any suggestions? Do you think this is a good or bad idea?

[fdrc65]

I'm seriously tempted to protect them below 25f for the first winter just to establish a good root system - Any suggestions? Do you think this is a good or bad idea?

It's better to protect palms at least for the first 2 winter if you are not sure about cold hardiness, and it's better to plant them in a protected spot, south facing if possible.

I protected my Jubaea for the first 10 winter, now it's about 30 y.o. and it's too big.

20 F here are not rare by night, 5F are exceptional, the problem here is that we have cold also at noon some days in winter, so if night is 20 F day can be 28 F if there's no sun

bye

fede

Edited June 5, 2008 by fdrc65

[BobbyinNY]

I'm seriously tempted to protect them below 25f for the first winter just to establish a good root system - Any suggestions? Do you think this is a good or bad idea?

It's better to protect palms at least for the first 2 winter if you are not sure about cold hardiness, and it's better to plant them in a protected spot, south facing if possible.

I protected my Jubaea for the first 10 winter, now it's about 30 y.o. and it's too big.

20 F here are not rare by night, 5F are exceptional, the problem here is that we have cold also at noon some days in winter, so if night is 20 F day can be 28 F if there's no sun

bye

fede

Wow, Fede... you have the same type of climate as us here on Long Island.. There are days where it'll be 20 at night and also not warm up during the day much more than 25-30f, but then there are days during the winter where it can get to 60f during the day - there are also days when it can drop to 5f (very rare, but possible)

[fdrc65]

Wow, Fede... you have the same type of climate as us here on Long Island.. There are days where it'll be 20 at night and also not warm up during the day much more than 25-30f, but then there are days during the winter where it can get to 60f during the day - there are also days when it can drop to 5f (very rare, but possible)

Ravenna is 44° N and NY is 40° N, so the sun is hotter in New York...

In Italy at 40° N, near the sea you find USDA zone 9b

ciao

Fede

[amazondk]

Keith,

This thread does not really have much to do with my situation. But, I would like to commend you on all the work.

dk

[tank]

I need to get one of those Trachycarpus schizophylla's

[Brian_K]

Nearly all of my Trachycarpus seedlings and every one of the 2ft plants survived winter. Other success stories include: Sabal 'Riverside' and minor 'Louisiana'. And Rhapodophyllum hystrix ofcourse.

[KyleNcal]

Trachycarpus 'Naga Hills' has been just as hardy as T.fortunei for me, while some other Trachycarpus species bit the dust. I also found Livistonis nitidia to be the hardiest Livistonia. You also missed a couple Cerxylon species which should withstand below listed temps of your other Cerxylon.

Phoenix sylvestris is wimpy(IMO), as is Sabal riverside(compared to other hardy Sabals), I think it is overrated. I had many smaller Sabal seedling species survive, while my 5&1 gallon riverside died in a medium winter. Also C. radicalis is quite a few degrees more hardy than C.microspadix.

Thanks for the list and the chance to critique it.