yardremake
A mature Needle Palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix) growing in a residential garden bed

In the landscape

Accent · Foundation · Specimen · Coastal · Container · Patio · Poolside · Riparian

Data sources

Missouri Botanical Garden, NC State Extension

Needle Palm

Rhapidophyllum hystrix · Palm

Needle Palm is a slow-growing palm, hardy in USDA zones 6-10, that matures to about 3–6 ft × 4–8 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with medium water needs in well-drained and moist soil. Expect brown and yellow blooms in summer. It attracts pollinators and small mammals, stands up well to heat, humidity and wet soil and grows happily in containers.

USDA zones
6-10
Sun
Full sun, Part shade
Water
Medium
Mature size
3–6 ft × 4–8 ft
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
High
Soil
Well-drained, Moist
Bloom color
Brown, Yellow
Bloom season
Summer
Attracts
Pollinators, Small mammals
Tough against
Heat, Humidity, Wet soil
Native to
Southeastern United States

Will it survive your winters?

We score Needle Palm’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

More plants for your zone: Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9 · Zone 10

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