The 7 Best Palm Trees for St. Petersburg & Tampa Bay Landscaping

Outside of endless sunshine and the infamous Florida Man, there are a handful of unmistakable traits eternally bound to the Sunshine State of Florida. We’re not talking about alligators (this time, at least); we’re talking about the epic palm tree.

Yep, this is a post dedicated to those iconic symbols of tropical bliss that rise above beachgoers, beckon seductively to northerners, and prompt you to kick off your shoes and throw on a swimsuit. We’re truly sorry if it ends up sounding like a love letter—it kind of is!

Whether you are a St. Petersburg or Tampa Bay resident, business owner, or vacationer, you’ll likely notice that there are loads of different palm tree types. While we love palms of all varieties, we’re here to settle an age-old debate—which palm trees are best for St. Pete and Tampa Bay landscaping?

Buckle up; it’s going to be a wild ride.

Sabal Palm

It’s often difficult to start a love letter, but that wasn’t the case here. The sabal palm is Florida’s state tree, so it just makes sense to kick things off with this beautiful native tree. Sabals can grow up to 40 feet tall, feature classic fan-shaped palms, and are commonplace in landscaping in St. Petersburg, FL, and Tampa Bay.

Foxtail Palm

We’re all about trees with cool names, and the foxtail palm certainly fits that criterion. It can be had in single or multi-trunk versions, giving it fantastic landscaping versatility. It is a low-maintenance dream, as well, thanks to its tendency to self-prune fronds that have browned.

Oh, and that cool name refers to the unique shape of this palm tree, which mimics the fluffy tail of a fox.

Christmas Palm

Yep, another palm tree with a neat name. We know that’s not the point of this blog, but we just can’t resist.

With a name like Christmas, there are high expectations for this variety of palm. Spoiler alert—it exceeds even the highest expectations thanks to its robust fronds, small footprint, self-pruning trait, and classic Florida aesthetic.

It is the perfect accent piece for any St. Petersburg or Tampa Bay property.

Queen Palm

A popular addition to new construction projects, the queen palm (sometimes called “feather palm”) is an attractive tree with unique attributes that really draw attention.

Among those features are warm-weather blooms, stunning orange date clusters, and lustrous fronds that create a bold canopy. It is important to note, however, that some of these attractive traits also add to the maintenance required to keep queen palms looking pristine.

These trees are not self-pruning, so they require trimming with a pole saw. The pretty orange fruits can also create quite a mess if not removed preemptively.

Sylvester Date Palm

Notable for its incredibly unique trunk that is sure to attract attention and add a bit of flair to your property, Sylvester date palms are best viewed as an aesthetic investment for your property.

That gorgeous diamond-cut trunk looks amazing, but it also adds to the cost of this particular palm tree. So, if you want to add a dash of beauty and texture to your St. Petersburg, FL, property or spice up your Tampa Bay landscape, this is the palm tree for you. Just don’t be surprised by the bill.

Canary Island Date Palm

Canaries may be diminutive birds, but canary island date palms are quite the opposite—they’re big and not birds. As the largest date palms in almost every regard (largest thorns, longest fronds, and thickest trunk), these palm trees make quite the impression on any St. Petersburg or Tampa Bay landscape.

If you’re looking for a focal point for your landscape or have large, open spaces that could use a touch of classic Florida aesthetic, canary island date palms might just be the ideal solution.

Pheonix Roebelenii Date Palm

From giant canary island date palms to tiny Pheonix Roebelenii date palms, palm trees cover a spectrum of shapes, sizes, and visual appeals. When it comes to petite palms, Pheonix Roebelenii date palm trees are one of the most popular, and for good reason.

Small enough to be used in areas where other palms simply can’t fit, they lend versatility to spaces that otherwise couldn’t be graced with the tropical vibes brought about by palm trees. From placing them near the pool to growing several in a single pot to create a multiple trunk look, Pheonix Roebelenii date palms let your imagination run wild and unlock the full potential of your St. Petersburg or Tampa Bay property.

Landcrafters: Your Friendly Neighborhood Palm Tree Lovers

At Landcrafters, we love palm trees. Heck, we even wrote an ode to them not long ago.

When it comes to bringing a tropical punch to your St. Pete or Tampa Bay landscape, you can trust us to deliver. With over 20 years of experience creating paradise-worthy Florida properties, we have the expertise and passion needed to transform your landscape into something spectacular.

Feel free to reach out to us to talk about your property, your goals for it, and how we can help. In the meantime, be sure to check out our blog. It’s overflowing with exciting landscaping information, tips, and tricks for your St. Pete or Tampa Bay property!