Windmill Palm

Tallest Cold- Hardy Palm

Our #1 Rated Windmill Palm Tree, a cold-hardy palm tree, tolerates temperatures down to 5°F and drops down to 0°F for short periods. It grows slowly, and is super easy to maintain.

Windmill Palm Trees are a fantastic choice if you are looking for a palm that can tolerate colder temperatures. The Windmill Palm, also known as the Trachycarpus Fortunei, is our top pick for a cold-hardy palm. These palms are slow growers and super easy to maintain, making them a great choice for those who don't want to spend a lot of time on upkeep. Windmill Palm Trees will do best in full sun to partial shade and can tolerate a wide range of soils as long as they are well-draining. If you are looking for a palm that can add a touch of the tropics to your landscape without a lot of hassle, the Windmill Palm Tree is a great choice.

Atlanta Palms is proud to offer Windmill Palm Trees for local delivery and installation. If you are interested in adding a Windmill Palm Tree to your landscape, contact us today and we would be happy to help you choose the right palm for your space.

Why Choose a Windmill Palm?

If you’ve ever dreamed of having a tropical feel to your landscape, pool area, or even inside your home, but your winters are too cold, the Windmill Palm comes to the rescue. One of the most cold-hardy palm trees available, it stands up to cooler temperatures better than most palms.  

Tropical Windmill Palms also look good with their green, 3-foot wide, fan-like fronds forming into a canopy resembling a windmill, reaching heights of up to 25 feet in USDA zone 7a-8. Adding additional interest, the single trunk is covered in hairy fibers, which are used to make mats and brooms.

This tough, attractive palm is sure to be an eye-catching and carefree addition wherever used. It works well as a landscape specimen, accent plant, or framing an area of the garden. 

Is a Windmill Palm Tree Cold-Hardy in My Area?

Compared to many varieties of palms, Windmill Palms are the most cold-hardy tall growing palms out there. It is hardy growing in USDA zones 7a through 11. The palm is cold-hardy in temperatures down to 5°F and will also tolerate short drops to 0°F. This makes the Windmill Palm a great choice for those in zone 7a or above.

You can easily protect your Windmill Palm from freezing temperatures. Water in well the night before the projected cold weather arrives, as this helps insulate the roots. Adding a thick layer of mulch over the planting site also helps keep the roots warm. You can also string holiday lights through the canopy and around the trunk for protection. 

How Big Does a Windmill Palm Get?

In their native habitat of China, Windmill Palms can grow up to 40 feet tall. However, the slow-grower typically grows around 18 to 25 feet tall and about 7-8 feet wide when in USDA zone 7a-8.

How Much Sun and Water Does a Windmill Palm Tree Need?

Another benefit of Windmill Palms is they don’t have to be in the blazing sun to thrive. The palm grows well situated in full sun to partial shade. In fact, it performs best in partial shade. However, it tolerates full sun just as well in the northern portions of its range.

If you’re growing it indoors as a houseplant, just place the palm where it gets bright indirect sunlight. 

When it comes to water, Windmill Palms are drought-tolerant once established. Water several times weekly for the first month after planting. Thereafter, and depending on local weather conditions, water weekly. 

Is a Windmill Palm Tree Easy to Maintain?

Besides periodic watering and feeding, Windmill palms don’t require much maintenance to look fabulous. They’re known for their resistance to disease and pest problems. The only pruning they require is to snip off the fronds when they completely die. Leave fronds that are even slightly green on the palm as it’s still gathering nutrients from them. 

Although palms are relatively easy to care for yourself, we encourage our professional maintenance service 3 times a year. We offer the Perfect Palm Maintenance Service with only the best products and professionals for your palms.

Does a Windmill Palm Need Fertilizer?

In spring, summer and fall feed the Windmill palm with a well-balanced, slow-release blend specific to palm trees.