If you had the right conditions and the right area for plant growth, palm trees can grow as much as ten inches, or about 1-foot-long, every year.
Though palm trees can survive in any climate, they can grow taller, longer and quicker when there is warmth.
Palm trees are often seen as tropical or exotic, though they can grow quicker in tropical conditions, some can live in or even grow indoors in cold conditions.
You merely should give them regular and proper care.
If you’re trying to create a home garden that looks like the tropics, palm trees are a great choice.
Depending on Your Location: Sorry! Different species of palm trees have different growth speeds, different amounts of attention they require, different final heights, and lifespans. Outdoor palm trees grow faster because they are in conditioned perfect for them.
How Big Do Palm Trees Get?

There are lots of species of Palm trees, and they grow to different, sizes, lengths, and shapes depending on how many different factors.
The known tallest palm tree species grows to about 200 feet tall.
These wax trees are originally from the Columbian Andes. Scientists currently study wax trees and protect them as an endangered species.
Some of the shorter species are dwarf species that usually are grown inside and are only about 10 feet tall.
Most landscapers and gardeners suggest that homeowners grow the dwarf variety to about 3 feet tall.
They are ideal for people with small yards who are still interested in having a green area.
The lifespan of palm trees

Palm trees can live for up to about 90 years, but there is variation depending on the species and position!
The coconut palm tree has the longest known life span, with most surviving to about 100 years.
Palm trees grow faster and become taller when growing in warm or tropical climates, and therefore tend to have an equally longer life span in those areas.
In cooler climates, palm trees will grow to about 30 – 60 years. Fast growing palm trees do not necessarily live longer, as they may weaken the limbs by growing too quickly.
Important Note: Indoor palm trees can die after their short life span if you forget to water them or over-water them.
The fastest-growing palm trees

Palm trees are monocotyledon flowering plants in the Palmae or Arecaceae family.
There are over 2000 species of palm trees native to the world, with around twelve being native to the continental USA.)
While palm trees tend to grow quickly, depending on the species, several factors can promote faster growth:
- So, sunlight. You wanna hear the number one reason palm trees grow really fast? Well, sun is a big deal for palm trees. Just ensure your outdoor plants are in the sun and your indoor plants are left in appropriately lit spots.
- Soil. Palm trees have long roots. They need good drainage and fertilizers so the roots grow properly.
- Water. Water is important for palm trees. The deep roots need water, so you must water the plants on a system.
- Trimming. Palm trees need regular pruning, of the brown fonds in dry weather, because that way they can get nutrients to the crown of the tree faster.
The natural growth of palm trees can be quite significant since sometimes fast growth can be dangerous.
Palm trees and in particular, coastal/tropical palm trees are often exposed to the harsh conditions of:
- solid winds
- storm winds
- hurricane winds
Palm trees that grow in dense forests must compete with other species of trees for the same resources, including enough sunlight.
The following chart shows the average lengths (in feet per year) of the five fastest-growing palm trees.
California Fan Palm
You can spot this tropical palm tree, Washingtonia Filifera, flourishing in its natural habitat of California, Arizona, and Mexico.
It has a large wide trunk approximately 3 foot in diameter, it may reach heights of 60 foot, and it may live beyond 80 years. Each year, it grows upwards of 3 foot.
It has fan-shaped leaves that are green on top while the brown dead leaves create a form of cushioned barrier across the middle and lower trunk of the palm.
As they naturally decompose, they seem to connect to the development of bird nests and rodent skeletons. It grows best in wet soil with a high PH.
Carpentaria Palm
This palm is known as Carpentaria Acuminata in the scientific realm; it is found in Florida.
Originating in Northern Australia, the Carpentaria palm thrives with water that has salt in it and can live near bodies of water.
It has a smooth trunk, broader at the base, has potential heights of 30 feet, and can last to grow for approximately 50 years.
Annualy – It can grow 6 feet long. It’s green leaves of long, feather-like shape, have a bluish-green color on the underside.
Mexican Fan Palm

This palm tree is scientifically known as Washingtonia Robusta, and its leaves are like those of the California Fan species.
It is attractive, as well as hardy and does very well in cold climates, which encourages landscapers to use it.
It doesn’t require much water and continues to grow more quickly if it is watered frequently. It is very inexpensive to maintain in the yard and indoors.
Washingtonia Robusta can be found often in:
- Texas.
- Oregon.
- Georgia.
- Louisiana.
- Arkansas.
Native to dry Mexico, Washingtonia Robusta has large green leaves, which gives it a tropical look to its appearance.
Washingtonia Robusta can reach a height of about 40 feet and its appearance is accomplished by regularly trimming back any dead leaves on the shaft.
Washingtonia Robusta has about 4 feet of yearly growth and is about a 100-year tree.
Royal Palm

This palm tree is called Roystonea Oleracea, which is scientifically correct, but informally it is also called “Cabbage Palm”. This classy palm is found primarily in North and South America and also the Caribbean.
This palm thrives in warm tropical coastal climates such as Texas, South Florida, and California.
This palm is massive with a higher trunk and wide branching providing good shade, but it likes plenty of sun and moderate amounts of water with reasonable drainage.
As a Result – It can grow about one or more feet a year and may get as tall as 70-feet and last for about 150 years.
Queen Palm
Scientific name Syagrus Romanzoffiana; this palm tree provides nice shade in your garden.
Native to Argentina and Brazil, the Queen palm grows good and thrives in semi-tropical regions and can survive the cold weather.
Short trunk with shallow roots, these can be easily blown over when it is hurricane season and high winds.
Leaves appear to be reaching for the sky, they can reach 40 feet tall and grow at just over 2 inches a year annually.
This palm produces fruit that smells awesome, but it is inedible. It needs water and fertilizer to grow fast and healthy with a life above 70 years.
Commonly asked questions About palm trees
What is the purpose of palm trees?
Besides providing shade and pleasant landscaping, palm trees have provided food, shelter, and medicine for thousands of years.
Can I speed up palm tree growth?
Although palm trees are tropical and drought-resistant plants, they grow faster if watered regularly.
However, the different species do not grow at the same speed.
Can I stop my palm tree from growing taller?
Nope, you can’t stop a palm tree from getting taller.
It sprouts upward from a tip at the top, where all the fonds and leaves come from. You can only stop it from getting tall by chopping it down.
If you take off the tip, it’ll die off.
Can palm trees survive cold weather?
A few species can tolerate cold temperatures, but you would still need to protect them from ripping apart in extreme cold temperatures.
If the tree trunk is damaged in certain spots, the tree will begin to rot and die.
Conclusion
If you reside in a warm climate, palm trees will thrive in your garden. Choose trees that better scale in size to your house or yard.
If you are getting an indoor plant, consider branches that are the dwarf variety because they will not get to be too big for the space.
While the palm trees in the colder environment will not grow quite the same way, they will grow unbelievably big quickly.
Overall palm trees are incredible plants and just by adding them to any place, it will instantly make it feel like a tropical paradise in your own personal oasis.