Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Field Notes • Plants

Palm tree

Palm trees are a group of flowering plants in the family Arecaceae, known for their large, often unbranched trunks and crowns of large leaves.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Palm trees are flowering plants in the family Arecaceae, with over 2,600 species. They range from small indoor palms to towering giants up to 200 feet tall.

What it is

Palm trees belong to the Arecaceae family. Although commonly called trees, they are botanically monocots and lack the secondary woody growth typical of true trees. They produce large, often unbranched trunks and crowns of leaves.

Where it grows and how big

Palms are native to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, not Canada. Heights vary by species, from about 6 feet to nearly 200 feet for the tallest like the Quindío wax palm. Lifespan is often estimated around 70 to 80 years for many common species.

Growing and caring for palms

Many palms are grown as ornamentals indoors and outdoors. Popular indoor types include areca, parlor, and pygmy date palms. They need bright indirect light, well-drained soil, and careful watering. Container size limits growth, keeping them smaller than outdoor specimens.

In short

  • Palms are monocots, not true trees.
  • Over 2,600 species exist worldwide.
  • Not native to Canada; grown indoors or in protected microclimates.
  • Sizes range from about 6 feet to 200 feet.
Canadian angle

Palm trees are not native to Canada, but Canadians may encounter them as houseplants, greenhouse plants, or seasonal landscape plants in milder microclimates.

Quick questions

How tall do palm trees grow?
It depends on the species. Palm trees can be as short as about 6 feet or as tall as nearly 200 feet, though many common landscape palms mature around 20 to 60 feet.
How long do palm trees live?
Lifespan varies by species. Some commonly cited estimates place many palms in the 70- to 80-year range, while larger palms may live longer and smaller container-grown palms may live less time.
What type of palm tree is best for indoors?
Compact palms are usually best indoors, such as the areca palm, parlor palm, or pygmy date palm, because they remain smaller in pots and tolerate indoor conditions better than large outdoor species.

Sources

  1. Biology Insights — https://biologyinsights.com/how-big-do-palm-trees-get-from-dwarfs-to-giants/
    Supports: Palms belong to the family Arecaceae; they are monocotyledonous plants and not true trees.
  2. AP Nursery — https://www.apnursery.com/how-tall-do-palm-trees-grow/
    Supports: Palm trees can range from about 10 to 200 feet tall; tropical/subtropical distribution; indoor palms should remain relatively small.
  3. Greg — https://greg.app/palm-trees-size/
    Supports: Palm height varies by species; common examples include coconut, date, and areca palms; indoor palms remain smaller.
  4. Plant Glossary — https://plantglossary.com/palm-tree-sizes/
    Supports: Palm size varies widely; tallest palms approach 200 feet; indoor/container palms remain smaller than outdoor specimens.
  5. Fast Growing Trees — https://www.fast-growing-trees.com/blogs/plant-recommendations/types-of-palm-trees
    Supports: Palms are diverse; some are shrubs or climbers, and indoor/container palms stay smaller.
  6. The Backyard Pros — https://thebackyardpros.com/how-tall-do-palm-trees-grow/
    Supports: General height and lifespan estimates for palms, including 70 to 80 years for many palms.