Are you looking for a beautiful new plant for your backyard? If you want to bring a touch of the tropics to your home, you might be wondering about adding a pineapple palm, but if so, it’s important to understand how much this tree is likely to cost.
A pineapple palm usually costs over $100, but prices can range all the way up to around $2000 if you want a large, established tree. This usually includes shipping, since these trees have to be hauled to their intended destination. If you buy a seedling pineapple palm, you might get one for around $20-$30, but an established tree will be significantly more.
We’re going to use this article to understand why pineapple palms are so expensive, what you should consider when buying one, and what the average prices for the different heights are. We will also talk about buying seedlings and the drawbacks associated with this.
How Much Does It Cost To Buy A Pineapple Palm?
The price of a pineapple palm is heavily dependent on its size, but you should be aware that these trees can be tricky to source and pretty expensive. Even seedlings will often cost $20 or more, and a tree of around 7 feet will cost you over $170 in most cases.
If you want a bigger tree, you’ll be looking at significantly more money. For example:
- A 9 foot tree will cost around $275
- A 10/11 foot tree will cost around $325
- A 12/13 foot tree will cost around $450
- A 14/15 foot tree will cost around $650
- A 16/17 foot tree will cost around $1200
The trunk’s thickness also makes a big difference; thicker trunks tend to cost more and could drive up the price by a few hundred dollars.
If you want something bigger still, an 18 foot tree would cost about $1800 and might be challenging to source. Not many retailers stock trees of this size because of the difficulty associated with growing and transporting them. There are a few, however, because pineapple palms are statement trees and some people are willing to pay a lot for a large one.
Why Are Pineapple Palms Expensive?
The main reason pineapple palms are expensive is that they grow very slowly. That means that a retailer has to invest a lot of time and energy into a tree before they’ll see a return on it.
Most palms will only gain between 12 and 14 inches in a year, and since a mature plant is around 60 feet tall, it takes a long time for them to reach their full size.
Pineapple palms are also pricey because they are striking plants and a lot of people are keen to own them. They really make a statement with their unique appearance, so people are willing to pay a lot of money for them. They are very majestic and distinctive, and they’re also low maintenance.
What Should You Think About When Buying A Pineapple Palm?
The most important thing to consider is the pineapple palm’s size. Because these trees get so big – 60 feet tall with a 50 foot spread – you need to consider where you are going to put the tree, what damage its roots might do, and how long it will take to reach the size you want.
A lot of people just buy their palm trees without taking these things into account and end up having to dig them out again to prevent damage, or because they are taking too long to reach the desired size. Make sure you consider these aspects before you buy the pineapple palm to reduce the risk of this happening to you.
Should You Buy A Pineapple Palm Seedling?
You might be tempted by the low price offered by purchasing a pineapple palm seedling, but think about the slow growth rate before you buy one. If your plant grew at a rate of 1 foot per year, it would take approximately 60 years to reach its full size. You might be happy with that, but make sure you have considered it before you opt for a seedling.
It may be better to pay a few hundred for a palm that is several feet tall and has a good chance of survival, rather than waiting many years for a seedling to get established. Most people who love the appearance of pineapple palms feel that it’s worth the outlay to get such a striking tree.
Conclusion
Pineapple palms look great, but they can vary a lot in terms of price, so it’s important to think about what size you want before you start trying to choose one for your backyard. A small palm will be significantly cheaper, but because these trees grow slowly, you need to make sure you don’t buy one that is too small to look good in its chosen space.