Since you live in SoCal I think Phoenix canariensis will be the least demanding. Pindos can thrive by you, but prefer some more humidity and water and also might be slower growing than dates in your area. And if you want a fast growing palm than Jubaea's arent the palm for you because they grow really slowww.

I dont think they are real. In the second pic all the fronds look extremely symmetrical. As much as I hate fake palms, I give them credit for finding lifelike ones. Im guessing the reason why they chose fake palms would be since it's on a skyscraper and there wasnt enough room for dirt (maintance would be non-existant which would be another reason why those were likely chosen). -Alex

Hi I chose to buy my canary island palm just from looking at the leaves! They are so beautiful! I need to know how to care for it. When I bought it, the leaves were lovely and green but now the points have browned and two leaves are dying and one leaf is not looking too well. I only have experience of growing geraniums, roses and a castor oil plant which began to die when I brought it home. It was years ago and I took it to a gardener who began by taking the whole plant out of the pot and sifting through the roots. He found a maggot and shouted 'there's your cause' and the castor oil plant grew well after that. It got so big, I decided to sell it. It got flowers on top, it was taller than me (about 7ft 6) and it was producing seeds which were gernimating all around it in the pot. I didn't want that many castor oil plants so I sold it. So when I bought the canary island palm (phoenix canariensis)I began to sift through the roots to make sure there was nothing chomping at the roots. I discovered it had a ball root and I couldn't get it back into the pot, so I chopped some off. Now, I'm worried. Will it die from the root trauma I gave it? Also, I wanted to take cuttings from it so that I would have loads of them planted outside and if any got stolen, I could just think 'ha!!! I still got the main one!! You can't take that!!' because people keep steeling my roses. I plant them and days later, the whole plant goes missing. I have the main ones secure so they can't be stolen! So I took a leaf from the canariensis and planted it. It too seems to be dying. Please help!!!!! I want to know how to look after the main canariensis and I want to take cuttings and plant them outside to fill up my front yard and stop the neighbour's six cats dolloping there. There is really nothing more unsightly then taking two hours to get ready to go out only to step out and first experience the horrific whiff of fresh dollops!!! AND if there are no fresh ones when I leave, those cats certainly get some ready and waiting for when I get back!! It's a nightmare!! I've tried repellents but the cats don't seem bothered. My roses do the trick but I wanted more green. So please help Shazia

It depends on the winter temperatures, and whether or not it is protected or sheltered. If it is left in the open on a night with single digits and some wind, you're probably going to lose the palm.