Iowa is another state that is way too cold for palm trees. Even the most cold hardy palms can only tolerate cold in zone 7 and higher. Iowa has a humid continental climate with wet springs. hot summers and cold winters. It receives a lot of rain and a lot of snow each year.
Summer is hot and humid with average temperature around 86°F (30°C) in July. Winters are cold with average temperature of 10°F (–4°C) in January. The warmest day ever recorded was 118 °F (48 °C) and the lowest was −47 °F (−44 °C). Each spring this state receives about 37 tornadoes. Some of them are deadly. Iowa USDA hardiness zones range from 4b to 6a.
Iowa USDA Zones
Growing Palm Trees in Iowa
This state has a lot of extreme weather and is not a great place for palm trees. I would recommend growing palm trees indoors in the container and take them outside during summer. That way you will have palm trees in your garden for a few months out of a year. Some great indoor palms are:
- Areca Palm Tree – Zones 9a – 11 (20 to 25 F)
- Chinese Fan Palm Tree – Zones 8a – 11 (10 to 15 F)
- Kentia Palm Tree – Zones 9b – 11 (25 to 30 F)
- Lady Palm Tree – Zones 8b – 11 (15 to 20 F)
More Palm Trees»
Major Cities in Iowa
Cedar Rapids – Hardiness Zone 4b
Davenport – Hardiness Zone 6a
Des Moines – Hardiness Zone 5a
Ottumwa – Hardiness Zone 5a
Sioux City – Hardiness Zone 5a
~Susan Brian
P.S. If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and I do my best to answer them as soon as I can.
My inlaws live in Iowa. I would love to send them a palm tree to plant. What kind of palm trees survive in Iowa? how much would it cost? shipping cost?