Palms
Palms are a true symbol of the tropics. They are typically fast growing - with some exceptions - and are relatively low-maintenance outside of watering and fertilizing. There are well over 30 species of palm trees that can thrive here in the Turks and Caicos. Out of these only four are indigenous. No palm is considered invasive here or poses a threat to our native flora.
Coconut Palm
One of the hardiest palms available and a true symbol of the tropics. Generally classified into two groups: ‘Talls’ & ‘Dwarfs’. We also grow a lot of hybrid ‘Maypan’ coconuts due to their disease resistance.
Under good growing conditions these palms can grow 2-3 feet per year reaching and overall height of 60-80ft for the tall varieties.This is some text inside of a div block.
Soil
Can tolerate a wide range of soil structures, PH levels and salinity
fertilizer
General Palm Fertlizer (12-4-12)
Christmas Palm
Adonidia Merrillii
Native to the Philippines but very much naturalized throughout Florida & the West Indies. The Christmas palm is highly praised for its hardiness, low-maintenance and salt-tolerance.
It can thrive in a wide range of environments from indoors in a container to field grown in full sun. It is often grown in clusters of two or three palms.
Soil
Prefers sandy well-drained soils when in full sun
sunlight
Partly shaded to full sun
fertilizer
General Palm Fertlizer (12-4-12)
Bottle Palm
Hyophorbe lagenicaulis
A short, slow growing palm species native to Mauritius in the Indian ocean. It is known for its bizarrely swollen ‘bottle shaped’ trunk. Grows well in sandy, well-drained soils and does exceptionally well when grown in a container.
Often confused with its closest relative, the Spindle Palm.
Soil
Prefers sandy well-drained soils when in full sun
sunlight
Partly shaded to full sun
fertilizer
General Palm Fertlizer (12-4-12)
Spindle Palm
Hyophorbe verschaffeltii
A close relative of the Bottle Palm which is also from Mauritius; however, instead of having a swollen base, the Spindle has a swollen central trunk. Does well in the ground as well as in a container. Can be grown in slight shade but prefer plenty of sun, especially when grown in the ground.
Soil
Well-drained, sandy soil. Moderately drought-resistant
fertilizer
General Palm Fertlizer (12-4-12) + extra Potassium
Silver Bismarck
Bismarckia nobilis
A truly iconic palm native to the grasslands of Madagascar. The Silver Bismarck palm is known for its enormous silver-blue fan leaves that can grow to a width of 6ft. The tree can reach an overall height of over 50ft and under good growing conditions can grow 2-3 ft per annum.
Soil
Wide range of sand, loam & clay
fertilizer
General Palm Fertilizer (12-4-12) + extra Boron & Magnesium
salt tolerance
Moderately High
Chinese Fan Palm
Livistona chinensis
Native to China and southern Japan, this relatively slow-growing palm has become naturalized throughout the tropics due to its hardiness and adaptability. Grows in clusters or as a standalone palm. Creates a formidable tropical barrier when grown in clusters. Grows well in shaded areas but can tolerate full sun once acclimated.
Soil
Well-drained soil types. Relatively drought tolerant once established
sunlight
Partial Shade - Full Sun
fertilizer
General Palm Fertilizer (12-4-12)
salt tolerance
Moderately High
Thatch Palm
Thrinax Radiata, Coccothrinax argentata & Coccothrinax inaguensis
Small-medium sized slow-growing fan palms that are native to southern Florida and the Northern Caribbean. These are some of the hardiest palms we grow as they are extremely salt-tolerant & drought tolerant. They grow well as container palm but grow much faster when planted in the ground. Grown as single-trunk specimens as well as in clusters of 2-3 palms.
Soil
Sandy, well-drained soil
fertilizer
Regular Palm Fertilizer (12-4-12)
King Sago
Cycas revoluta
An ancient species of palmin the family Cycadaceae native to Southern Japan. It is a very elegant, slow-growing palm with a crown of hard dark green leaves. The largest specimens reach heights over 12ft of trunk and can live to be over 100 years old. Cherished internationally as a luxurious ornamental, this palm does equally well in containers as well as planted directly in the soil.
Soil
Well drained soil mix similar to cactus and succulent mixes that are PH 5.5 - 6.5. Drought-tolerant.
fertilizer
Regular Palm Fertilizer. Preferably water soluble
Buccaneer Palm
Pseudophoenix sargentii
A palm that is native to the Florida Keys, the Bahamas and our very own Turks and Caicos. Known for its extreme hardiness and slow growth rate. Usually grows in relative proximity to the sea in limestone or sandy soils. Has a silvery green trunk and leaves and when grown in good conditions develops a wide bottle-shaped trunk.
Soil
Well drained sandy soil mix. Can tolerate long periods of drought and high salinity
fertilizer
Regular Palm Fertilizer
Sabal Palm
Pseudophoenix sargentii
An extremely adaptive and hardy palm with a natural range from the coastal regions of North Carolina to here in the Turks & Caicos Islands. The palm grows very tall & straight and develops a round head of green fans. Trunk can either be slick and cylindrical of thatched depending on how it is pruned. Quite salt tolerant and very hardy. It is a palm that requires little maintenance and the palm we've found to recover most quickly to hurricanes
Soil
Thrives in sandy limestone soils
fertilizer
Regular Palm Fertilizer (12-4-12)