Everything You Need to Know About Windmill Palm Trees

You don’t have to live in sunny Florida to get a tropical vibe in your garden—you just need a windmill palm tree. This exceptionally shade-tolerant and cold-hardy palm can thrive across the West Coast as far north as Washington. Windmill palms are also well-suited for the Gulf Coast, thanks to their high salt tolerance.

With its stunning, broad green fronds and bright yellow spring blossoms, the windmill palm is a striking and low-maintenance addition to nearly any garden. Our guide covers everything you need to know about growing these palm trees in your backyard.

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Windmill Palm Trees at a Glance

• Cold-hardy
• Compact
• Shade-tolerant
• Can be planted in a container
• Green year-round, with yellow flowers in spring
• Salt-tolerant

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Appearance

The windmill palm is instantly recognizable for its unique silhouette. A single, thick trunk covered in hairy brown fibers supports a lush crown of long, densely packed fronds. These fine-toothed fronds fan out gracefully to create the windmill shape for which the tree is named. A medley of stiff and droopy leaf tips adds to the visual appeal, giving this tree a more dynamic and playful appearance than other palms.

Windmill palm trees can reach a towering height of 40 feet in their naturally habitat, but they are often kept more compact in residential landscapes. With proper pruning, you can maintain a windmill palm at a manageable10–20 feet tall with a spread of 6–10 feet. They are slow growers, gaining less than a foot per year, and stay green year-round.

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Windmill Palm Tree Specifications

Not sure if a windmill palm is the right tree for your landscape? Check out the table below to learn about its key features:

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Hardiness Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones indicate the regions where plants can grow well, based on minimum winter temperatures. Windmill palm trees are surprisingly adaptable and can flourish in a wide range of climates, specifically USDA Hardiness Zones 7–11. This includes all along the West and Gulf Coasts, up the East Coast as far as Maryland, throughout the South, and large swaths of the Southwest, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic region.

Windmill palm trees are hardy enough to withstand temperatures as low as 0–10 degrees Fahrenheit, but they may require some extra winter protection in colder regions. With thoughtful placement and temporary insulation during below-freezing temperatures, they may survive even further north.

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Planting

The best time to plant windmill palm trees is during the warm months of spring or fall. This gives the trees enough time to establish their roots before facing extreme temperatures. Follow these steps:

• Choose a planting site that receives partial shade and has well-drained soil. Make sure the site doesn’t receive too much harsh wind—that can shred your palm’s leaves.
• Pull any weeds and clear away any turfgrass or debris.
• Dig a hole twice the width of your windmill palm’s root ball. You want it deep enough that you can set the root ball equal with the level of the surrounding soil.
• Tease the roots apart gently using your hand or a small garden spade.
• Place the root ball in the hole, taking care to make sure that it’s perfectly upright and not at an angle.
• Backfill the soil, tamping down as you go to make sure there aren’t any air bubbles. Soak the hole as you fill it with dirt.
• Place a 2–3 inch layer of mulch on top of the planting area, keeping it a few inches away from the stems and trunk. This will help retain moisture.

If you want to plant several windmill palms, plant them 6–10 feet apart from one another to limit competition for water and nutrients.

Check out the video below to learn more about palm trees and how to plant them. Botanist Patrick Griffith showcases a few different types of palm trees at the Montgomery Botanical Center in Florida. Then, landscape contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner plant her selections.

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Growing Conditions

Windmill palm trees are not picky about soil. They love shade and can tolerate colder temperatures than most of their cousins.

• Sun and Shade: Windmill palm trees actually prefer shade over full sun. Plant them in partial shade, where they will receive 2–4 hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Soil: Windmill palm trees are highly adaptable to different types of soil but prefer to grow in porous, moist, fertile, and well-drained soil. They can also tolerate the salt spray that marks coastal regions.
• Watering: When newly planted, windmill palms require a lot of water to grow a healthy root system. Water them every two to three days for the first three months, then just once a week from then on, except for summers. If the weather is consistently hot or dry, you may need to water twice a week. You want the soil damp at all times but never soggy. You can find out when to water by pressing your index finger firmly 2–3 inches into the surrounding soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water.
• Fertilizing: Windmill palms need fertile soil to flourish. Feed with a slow-release fertilizer designed for palm trees once or twice during the growing season—first in spring before new growth emerges, then again in summer or fall.
• Pruning: Windmill palm trees do not require pruning, aside from cutting any branches that are dead, diseased, or damaged. You should prune those as soon as you notice them.

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Our Conclusion

The windmill palm tree is a captivating addition to nearly any landscape. Its unique appearance, adaptability to various climates, and low-maintenance nature make it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Whether you reside in a sun-drenched coastal region or a temperate inland area, the windmill palm tree can bring a touch of the tropics to your yard.

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FAQ About Windmill Palm Trees

How big does a windmill palm get?

A windmill palm can get as big as 40 feet, but most homeowners keep theirs to a height of 10–20 feet.

How fast do windmill palms grow?

Windmill palms grow at a slow rate of less than 8 inches per year.

Can a windmill palm take full sun?

Windmill palm trees can take full sun, but they prefer partial shade with 2–4 hours of direct sunlight per day.

How do you care for a windmill palm tree?

Caring for a windmill palm is relatively easy. Water them regularly during their first year, then only occasionally once established. Feed them once a year in spring with a slow-release fertilizer specifically designed for palm trees, and prune away any dead or brown fronds.

Can windmill palms survive a freeze?

Depending on the temperature, windmill palms can survive a freeze. However, they can be damaged by prolonged or severe freezes—especially if temperatures dip below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in a colder climate, we recommend planting your windmill palm in a sheltered location and providing insulation during freezing temperatures.

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