Rhode Island is too cold for palm trees. Rhode Island has a humid continental climate with chilly winters and short rainy summers. The summer is warm with average July temperatures of 73°F (23°C) while the winter is cold with average January temperature of 28°F (–2°C). Annual snowfall averages 37 in (94 cm) a year. This state gets threatened with blizzards, hurricanes and storms.
The warmest temperature ever recorded was 104°F (40°C) and the lowest was –23°F (–31°C). Rhode Island USDA hardiness zones range from 5b to 7a.
Rhode Island USDA Zones
Growing Palm Trees in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is too cold for palm trees. I has few areas in the zone 7a, but even cold hardy palms will have a hard time surviving the winter there. It is not only about how cold it gets, but also how long does the cold last. Many cold hardy palm trees can tolerate very cold weather but for a short period of time. Here are some palm trees that can grow in zone 7:
- Needle Palm Tree – Zones 5b-11 (-15 to -10F)
- European Fan Palm Tree – Zones 7b-11 (5 to 10 F)
- Pindo Palm Tree – Zones 7b-11 (5 to 10 F)
- Sago Palm Tree – Zones 7b-11 (5 to 10 F)
- Saw Palmetto Palm Tree – Zones 7a-11 (0 to 5 F)
- Windmill Palm Tree – Zones 7b-11 (5 to 10 F)
More Palm Trees»
Major Cities in Rhode Island
Cranston – Hardiness Zone 6b
Providence – Hardiness Zone 6b
Warwick – Hardiness Zone 6b
Find your hardiness zone
Not sure what your what your hardiness zone is? Enter your zip code into the box below and click “GO” button.
~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.