Minnesota’s climate isn’t exactly palm tree-friendly. The state boasts a continental climate, featuring warm summers and frigid winters.
Summers vary from hot and humid to warm and less muggy, with average July temperatures ranging between 61°F (16°C) and 76°F (24°C), depending on your location.
Meanwhile, January brings chilly temperatures that hover between 3°F(−16°C) and 18°F (−8°C). The temperature extremes in Minnesota have soared to a scorching 114°F (46°C) and plunged to a bone-chilling –60°F (–51°C).
Minnesota experiences its fair share of thunderstorms, clocking in around 30–40 thunderstorm days per year, along with approximately 24 tornadoes.
The state is no stranger to heavy snowfall either, with accumulations spanning from 30 inches (76 cm) to a whopping 70 inches (178 cm). To top it off, Minnesota contends with blizzards, on average, about twice each winter. The USDA hardiness zones in Minnesota range from 3a to 5a.
Growing Palm Trees in Minnesota
Given these harsh conditions, growing palm trees outdoors in Minnesota can be a challenge. A more practical approach would be to cultivate palm trees indoors within containers and move them outdoors during the summer months.
This way, you can enjoy palm trees in your garden for a few months each year, without subjecting them to Minnesota’s extreme cold. 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)
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Major Cities in Minnesota
Bloomington – Hardiness Zone 4a
Duluth – Hardiness Zone 4a
Mankato – Hardiness Zone 4b
Minneapolis – Hardiness Zone 4a
Rochester – Hardiness Zone 3b
Saint Cloud – Hardiness Zone 3b
Saint Paul – Hardiness Zone 4b
