Mule Palm

Hybrid cold-hardy palm tree with arching feathery fronds that withstands short temperature drops to 15°F, fast-growing, thrives with minimal care, and works well in larger landscapes as well as near the pool. 

Why Choose a Mule Palm?

The majority of feathery-leafed palm trees are sensitive to freezing winter temperatures and won’t grow long-term in northern landscapes. However, this isn’t so with Mule Palms, as they stand up to temperatures down to 20°F.

Coconut Palms are the poster child of warm tropical beaches with their fronds blowing in the breeze. However, Mule Palms are like small Coconut Palm imposters. You get all of the Coconut Palm’s good looks but at a smaller size.

The single-trunk palm is a hybrid. It’s the result of cross-breeding between Queen Palm and Pindo Palm. In fact, it gets its common name Mule Palm because the fruit produced is sterile just like a mule.

Trees can grow up to 20-25 feet tall and with a spread of around 15 to 20 feet. The gray curving trunk sports brown leaf scars adding to the tree’s interest. Its graceful canopy is filled with arching fronds covered in a mass of flowing green leaflets giving them a feathery appearance. Each frond can grow up to 10 feet long, adding to the tree’s tropical appeal.

Mule Palms are attractively utilized as specimens, accent plants, or mingle with other plants adding to a tropical design. They even look fabulous when planted near a pool or body of water.

Is a Mule Palm Tree Cold-Hardy in My Area?

Mule Palms are hardy growing in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11. Making it the largest feathery frond palm to withstand temperatures in cooler areas. 

Mule Palms withstand temperatures down to 20°F, and brief temperature drops of 15°F. However, you might want to give the palm a bit of protection before extreme cold weather arrives. The fronds suffer greatly if an extreme temperature event hits your otherwise moderately cold area. Please be advised that although the palm may survive, the fronds will likely turn brown. 

You can insulate the roots and help keep them warm by saturating them with water and adding a thick layer of organic mulch over the planting site the day before cold weather arrives. 

Covering the palm with a sheet or burlap and stringing holiday lights throughout the canopy also help keep the Mule Palm warm. 

How Big Does a Mule Palm Tree Get?

Although Mule Palms produce fast growth (a rate of 2 to 4 feet per year), they average up to 20-25 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide when in USDA zone 8.

How Much Sun Does a Mule Palm Require?

Mule Palm trees grow well in a variety of light conditions from full sun to partial shade. 

What About Soil and Water?

The palm grows well in a variety of well-drained soils from sandy to clay. The main importance is that the soil drains and doesn’t remain soggy.

Water newly planted palms twice weekly while it establishes itself in the planting site, which can take several months. Thereafter, and depending on local weather conditions, water weekly. However, the Mule Palm won’t punish you if you forget. 

Is a Mule Palm Tree Easy to Maintain?

If you don’t want to spend your free time out in the yard taking care of a fussy plant, then a Mule Palm tree is the right one for you. Their maintenance needs are very low and they aren’t bothered by any major pest or disease problems. 

Other than giving it a seasonal feeding, you’ll only have to trim off any fronds once they become brown and are completely dead. Wait until the frond completely dies before removing it as the palm is still gaining nutrients from it. 

Although palms are relatively easy to care for yourself, we encourage our professional maintenance service 3 times a year. We offer the Perfect Palm Maintenance Service with only the best products and professionals for your palms.

What About Fertilizing?

You can prevent any nutritional deficiencies by fertilizing the Mule Palm in spring and again in late summer with a well-balanced blend specific to palm trees. Follow label directions on amounts and always water the product into the soil after applying. 

Mule Palm Trees for Sale Near Me

If you are looking for a fast-growing, cold-hardy palm tree, the mule palm is a great option. You can find mule palms for sale near you from Atlanta Palms. We are a leading provider of palm trees in the Atlanta area. Contact us today to learn more about our mule palm trees for sale.