American Cotton
Washingtonia robusta
 
A stately fan palm with sturdy grey trunk, growing to 20m or more in height. The classic Californian palm. Grows well with full sun, plenty of water and organic fertiliser. Once established, tolerates both drought and frost.

Bangalow Palm
Archontophoenix cunninghamiana
 
Excellent landscape palm, especially planted in a group. Native to Eastern Australian rainforests, Grows well in semi-shade and handles poor drainage better than most palms. Cold hardy and quite fast-growing, to 6m.

Canary Island Date Palm
Phoenix Canariensis
 
A Melbourne icon, planted everywhere last century along esplanades, roadways and in public parks. Tolerates frost and dry heat. Prefers full sun and good drainage. Slow growing (3-4m specimen takes around 50 years), so people often purchase mature trees.

Chinese Fan Palm
Livistona chinensis
 
Similar in appearance to the taller American Cotton Palm, but the broad, glossy, fan-shaped fronds have drooping tips. Slow growing to 4m, this palm prefers a sunny or semi-shade postion. Very cold tolerant, but needs water during hot, dry weather.

Chinese Windmill Palm
Trachycarpus Fortunei
 
A medium formal fan palm from China. Grows slowly to 6 m unaffected by cold or frost. Highly used in large developments for their small distinctive hairy trunks. Best planted in full sun, but will also tolerate part shade.

Cocos Palm
Syagrus Romanzoffiana
 
A lush feathery crown makes this the palm of cooler climates. Very popular here, it tolerates cold, frost and dry heat.
Grows very fast up to 6mt, given plenty of water and organic fertiliser. Large specimens transplant easily, for an 'instant jungle' effect. Prefers full sun and good drainage.

European Fan Palm
Chamaerops humilis
 
A small, clumping fan palm from the Mediterranean region. Grows slowly to 2-4m, unaffected by cold or frost. Once established, it tolerates hot, dry conditions. Best planted in full sun, with some room to grow.

Kentia Palm
Howea forsteriana
 
Gorgeous mid-sized palm for indoor or outdoor use. Needs protection from frost when young, but does very well in the garden if protected from sun and strong winds. Slow growing to 10m, with large, arching fronds and a ringed, dark green trunk.

Lady Palm
Rhapis excelsa
 
This multi-stemmed fan palm thrives indoors, or in full shade. It grows slowly up to 3m, with glossy dark green foliage. Keep away from direct sunlight or artificial heating, as these will brown the tips.

Majestic Palm
Ravenea rivularis
 
Large, vibrant green fronds make young plants popular as indoor or patio specimens. In the garden, they reach 8m, with a full crown and thick trunk. Regular watering and fertilizing is essential. Prefers a sheltered location and will tolerate poor drainage.

Pygmy Date Palm
Phoenix roebelenii
 
This elegant palm grows only 2-3m high. Widely used as a patio plant (and indoors in bright light). Mass planting creates a tropical look. Ideal as an understorey palm, contrasting beautifully with taller, heavier palms. Enjoys warmth, but will tolerate cold and light frost.

Wine Palm
Butia capitata
 
Graceful, bluish-green, arching fronds, with a stout trunk. Very hardy palm for our climate, tolerating drought and frost. Grows to around 5m. Needs a sunny, well-drained position, with some room to grow.