Pacific Northwest Tropical Plant Database

Cold-Hardy Palms

Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei)

Hardiness: 5°F (Zone 7–11)
Height: 20–40 ft
Light: Sun/Part Shade
Water: Moderate
Landscape Use: Focal points, entryways
Buy: Fertilizer | Frost Cloth | 3–4 ft Palm

Needle Palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix)

Hardiness: –5°F (Zone 6–11)
Height: 4–6 ft
Light: Shade–Part Shade
Water: Moist
Landscape Use: Shade gardens, foundation plantings

Mediterranean Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis)

Hardiness: 10°F (Zone 8–11)
Height: 8–15 ft
Light: Full Sun
Water: Low–Moderate
Landscape Use: Rock gardens, slopes, multi-trunk accent

Sabal Minor (Dwarf Palmetto)

Hardiness: 0°F (Zone 7–11)
Height: 3–6 ft
Light: Sun–Shade
Water: Moderate
Landscape Use: Wet areas, understory planting

Sabal Birmingham

Hardiness: ~5°F (Zone 7–10)
Height: 15–25 ft
Light: Sun
Water: Moderate
Landscape Use: Large tropical focal tree

Sabal Louisiana

Hardiness: 5–10°F
Height: 15–20 ft
Light: Sun
Water: Moist–Wet tolerant
Landscape Use: Low areas, coastal sites

Tropical Accent Plants

Hardy Banana (Musa basjoo)

Hardiness: 0°F with mulch
Height: 10–18 ft
Light: Sun
Look: Huge tropical leaves
Use: Instant tropical effect

Ensete Maurelii (Red Abyssinian Banana)

Hardiness: 20–25°F (overwinter indoors)
Height: 8–12 ft
Color: Deep red foliage
Use: Bold accent

Tetrapanax (Rice Paper Plant)

Hardiness: 10°F
Height: 10–15 ft
Look: Massive leaves
Use: Jungle-style gardens

Evergreen Tropicals

Fatsia Japonica (Japanese Aralia)

Hardiness: 5–10°F
Height: 5–8 ft
Light: Shade–Part Shade
Use: Understory, tropical borders

Phormium (New Zealand Flax)

Hardiness: 15–20°F
Height: 3–8 ft
Colors: Green, bronze, variegated
Use: Spiky form contrast

Cordyline Australis

Hardiness: 15–20°F
Height: 10–20 ft
Use: Palm-like color accent