There are no guarantees that a cold hardy palm will survive in zones 5 through 7 after a rough winter, but through experimentation and care you may have good results. To boost your success, choose a variety that best suits your USDA growing zone, make sure the tree is older so it can better sustain harsher weather, place it in a location protected from wind, and keep it completely dry in freezing temperatures. Read on for information about cold hardy palms that can withstand a bit of winter weather.

Native Area: Southern China, TaiwanUSDA Growing Zones: 9a–11aHeight: 6–15 feetSun Exposure: Partial, full

Native Area: Puerto Rico, Virgin IslandsUSDA Growing Zones: 9–11Height: 12–25 feetSun Exposure: Full

A palmate leaf palm has lobes fanning out from a common point. The structure resembles a fan or open hand, with fingers stretching out from the palm. A pinnate leaf palm, derived from the Latin pinna or feather, has individual leaflets branching out on both sides of a common axis resembling a feather.  A costapalmate leaf is a cross between a palmate and pinnate shape.

Native Area: Unknown (probably Fertile Crescent region of the Middle East)USDA Growing Zones: 8–11Height: 50–80 feet (dwarf cultivars also available)Sun Exposure: Full

Native Area: South AmericaUSDA Growing Zones: 9b–11bHeight: 25–50 feetSun Exposure: Full

Native Area: Central America, Mexico, CaribbeanUSDA Growing Zones: 9–11Height: 16–23 feetSun Exposure: Full

Native Area: Southwestern U.S., Baja CaliforniaUSDA Growing Zones: 9a–11Height: 50–65 feetSun Exposure: Full

Native Area: Southeastern U.S.USDA Growing Zones: 8b–11Height: 30–50 feetSun Exposure: Full, partial

Because of its moderate size, it can also be grown as a potted specimen. The Chinese fan palm eventually becomes a fast-growing cold hardy palm tree; After its first decade as a slow grower, the palm grows quickly at half a foot a year.

Native Area: China, southern JapanUSDA Growing Zones: 9a–11Height: 20–30 feetSun Exposure: Full, partial

Native Area: Southern Europe, MediterraneanUSDA Growing Zones: 8b–11Height: 10–15 feetSun Exposure: Full, partial

Native Area: Desert regions of MexicoUSDA Growing Zones: 9a–11Height: 40–60 feetSun Exposure: Full

Native Area: FloridaUSDA Growing Zones: 8–11Height: 3–6 feetSun Exposure: Full, partial

Native Area: MadagascarUSDA Growing Zones: 10-11Height: 40-70 feetSun Exposure: Full to partial

Native Area: Baja California/MexicoUSDA Growing Zones: 9-11Height: 20-50 feetSun Exposure: Full

Native Area: MexicoUSDA Growing Zones: 9-11Height: 20-50 feetSun Exposure: Full

Native Area: Brazil, Uruguay, ArgentinaUSDA Growing Zones: 9-11Height: 10-20 feetSun Exposure: Full, partial

Native Area: MexicoUSDA Growing Zones: 9-11Height: 6-8 feetSun Exposure: Full, partial

Native Area: ChileUSDA Growing Zones: 8-11Height: 60-80 feetSun Exposure: Full

Native Area: Canary IslandsUSDA Growing Zones: 9-11Height: 40-60 feetSun Exposure: Full

Native Area: South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, MississippiUSDA Growing Zones: 6-10Height: 3-6 feetSun Exposure: Full, partial

Native Area: AsiaUSDA Growing Zones: 8a-11 Height: 10-40 feetSun Exposure: Partial shade

Keep the plant fertilized. A healthy, robust plant will be better able to survive periods of freezing weather.Apply mulch. Keep a palm tree warm in the winter with a thick layer of mulch around the base of a tree. The mulch will protect its roots from permanent frost damage. If the roots survive, most trees will regain their health, even if many of the leaves are destroyed.Cover small trees with sheets or blankets. Although this technique is not practical for large specimens, another way to keep smaller palms warm in the winter is by covering them with sheets, tarps, plastic, or blankets. The coverings trap ground warmth and prevent the tree from freezing. A small light bulb can be placed beneath the cover if the weather is expected to be quite cold or is expected to continue for several days. Be sure to remove the protective covers when temperatures return to normal.Apply a freeze-protecting spray. A palm tree can often survive a freeze if it’s well protected. Take care of a palm tree from a sudden freeze by adding an extra layer of protection with a frost-protecting spray product that shields the plant to reduce ice crystal damage.