Whether you’ve always admired tropical gardens or want to live surrounded like you’re on a tropical holiday, there are other ways than moving to an island in the centre of the ocean. You can turn your garden, yard, patio, or even the inside of your home into a piece of paradise using palm trees and other tropical plants, both green and flowering. Pop your outdoor furniture out, spend some time decorating your outdoor area, get a book, and there you are –just like on a tropical island.
Palm trees are the base for any tropical garden. Luckily, different palm tree shapes and sizes grow and thrive in most parts of Australia, from delicate dwarfs to towering giants. So, the selection required for a truly lush garden is immense. Your choice should depend not only on the climate of where you live but also on how you want your garden to look–have a sense of order or wildness as a jungle–and, ultimately, on your preferences. Check out the best palm trees in Australia to grow both inside and outside.
Kentia Palm (Howea Forsteriana)
This graceful palm, native to Lord Howe Island, thrives in warm, temperate or subtropical regions. This medium-sized plant, which can reach a height of 15 metres, is distinguished by its large fronds, brownish-grey stem, orange to red fruit, and brown blossoms. It thrives in pots and indoors, and while it can withstand winds full of salt, it requires conditions free from cold. This plant needs regular watering, especially during dry spells, and the soil should be rich in organic matter and well-drained.
Golden Cane Palm (Dypsis Lutescens)
The Golden Cane Palm, a common landscaping plant, is perfect for giving your yard a tropical vibe. Its dense foliage, which is distinguished by its golden cane stems and gold-green leaves, makes it a great windbreak and screening plant. Golden canes are among the greatest trees for pots in Australia and can reach a height of four metres in the garden. In well-drained soil, these plants thrive in full sun or shady spots. They also need to be kept moist during dry spells.
Alexandra Palm (Archontophoenix Alexandrae)
Although it can reach a height of 30 metres, this palm, indigenous to the coast of Queensland and the tip of the Cape York Peninsula, is much smaller when grown in a garden. It features feather-like fronds up to three metres long, a grey to greenish-grey trunk, and a pale green crown shaft (the column above the main trunk and beneath the main crown of leaves). It also yields beautiful red fruits and white blooms. Seasonal flooding and intense rains are not a problem for the Alexandra Palm. Plant in soil that drains easily, in a spot that receives full sun to partial shade, and keep out of the cold.
Bangalow Palm (Archontophoenix Cunninghamiana)
This tall, attractive shrub, which may reach a height of 20 metres, is found in the rainforests of North Queensland. As the palm ages, its smooth, slender, light grey trunk nearly turns black. It has three-meter fronds, golden fruit, and white blossoms. When fully grown, black palms can tolerate temperatures below zero but require frequent watering and high humidity.
Lady Palm (Rhapis Excelsa)
This plant is really beautiful, graceful, and elegant. It has dark, glossy-green stems that take on a bamboo-like pattern and grow slowly but can reach a height of four metres. It works well in a protected area of the garden or pots, borders, and screens. It is also a perfect indoor plant because it can withstand low light levels and air conditioning. Irrigation must be done frequently, but too much irrigation might cause root rot. Drainage is crucial, much like with most plants.
Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea Elegans)
This "dwarf" palm grows slowly but makes a big impression! It is an elegant specimen with beautiful green foliage and clusters of thin branches. It can withstand low light levels and grows to a height of two metres, making it a perfect indoor plant. Plant outside on well-draining soil and in partial shade. But make sure it is protected from winds and frost. Until the plant is established, mulch and water it frequently.
Australian Cabbage Tree Palm (Livistona Australis)
Out of all palm trees in Australia, the Cabbage tree is one of the tallest. Because it can withstand various climatic conditions, including frost and winds that are heavy with salt, this plant is a popular choice for landscaping (ideal if you live on the coast). This tall, thin palm has cream-white blooms, reddish-brown fruits, a grey trunk, and leaves up to three metres long. It has a 25-meter growth potential. The Cabbage Tree Palm may grow in full sun but prefers partially shaded areas. It favours well-drained or damp soils that are rich in organic matter.
Fishtail Palm (Caryota Albertii)
This enormous, clumping palm, which may reach a height of 10 metres and a diameter of around four metres, is native to the Cape York Peninsula. It features dark purple fruit, cream flowers, widely spaced leaf nodes, and a grey to light green trunk. Because they can be grown with only modest sun exposure, these palms are excellent interior plants and do well in humid environments.