Royal Palm / Florida Royal Palm

Scientific Name: Roystonea regia

Light Requirement: Full sun. Royal Palms perform best in open, sunny locations with plenty of room to grow.

Height: Typically 50–70 ft. tall in Florida landscapes, with older specimens capable of growing taller in ideal conditions.

Growth Habit: Fast-growing, single-trunk feather palm with a tall, smooth gray trunk, bright green crownshaft, and large graceful fronds. It has a very clean, formal, tropical appearance.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 10a–11; moderately cold sensitive and may be damaged by frost or hard freezes; moderately drought tolerant once established but looks best with regular irrigation; moderate to high salt tolerance, making it suitable for many coastal Florida landscapes.

Maintenance Info: Moderate maintenance. Royal Palms are self-cleaning, meaning old fronds usually drop on their own, but those fronds are very large and heavy, so placement is important. Avoid planting too close to roofs, vehicles, walkways, pools, or high-traffic areas where falling fronds or fruit may create hazards or cleanup. Use palm fertilizer and provide good irrigation during establishment.

Best Uses in the Landscape: Best used as a large specimen palm, formal driveway or entryway planting, estate palm, commercial landscape feature, street planting, resort-style accent, or large open-yard focal point. It needs plenty of vertical and overhead space.

Plant Info: Royal Palm is native to Florida, parts of the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. It is one of the most iconic palms in South Florida and is known for its smooth light-gray trunk, bright green crownshaft, and tall elegant shape. Its grand, formal appearance makes it a favorite for high-end tropical landscapes, especially when planted in rows along driveways, streets, or large entrances.