hey have fairly strong roots that anchor them firmly

The seeds germinate easily. Phoenix dactylifera is the true 'Date Palm' of commerce that is such a well-known symbol of North Africa and the Middle East. The flowers are followed by yellow to red 25 mm diameter pulpy fruit.
Palm selection
Do not expect to find all of the species at your local garden centre; many of these palms are only available as seed. There are several other water nozzles that would be suitable for growing in New Zealand gardens but they are rarely seen . Sabal minor and Sabal palmetto. They have brown olive sized fruit that takes two years to ripen. Most species grow to large sizes (over 18 m high) in the tropics but are unlikely to exceed 8 m high under New Zealand conditions. It has very dark green, slightly arching fronds. Grow in full sun. Two very similar species are grown, Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) and Slender Lady Palm (Rhapis humilis). May be grown indoors but resents cold draughts.
Climate adaptability
Many palms are frost tender but there are quite a few that tolerate reasonably tough frosts. They have small fronds on fibre covered bamboo-like canes. These palms have high light requirements and are unlikely to be good house plants except for conservatories. Two species, Howea belmoreana and Howea forsterana, are grown. The most common problem is very hard seed coats. The seeds germinate easily.
Palm seed varies greatly in its ease of germination. It is a feather palm with arching fronds and graceful drooping leaflets. The seed germinates easily. Unless otherwise stated all of these palms have panicles of small yellow flowers. armata has beautiful, finely divided glaucous fronds. The fruit is oval, about 18 mm long and black. It grows into a multi-trunked clump about 1. They have fairly strong roots that anchor them firmly. Some, such as Butia capitata, may take upwards of a year in the soil before germination but eventually with the right combination of moisture, temperature and time they sprout.
Kentia-see Howea
Lady palm-see Rhapis
Livistona
These fan palms are native to South East Asia and Australia.
Sabal
The Palmetto palms are native to the southeaste United States and Mexico. They are among the smaller species: Sabal minor is a bushy, often multi-trunked and grows to about 3.
Container growing
Palms often make superb container plants, both indoors and outdoors. The most widely grown fan palm is Trachycarpus fortunei, the Chinese Fan Palm. Both are feather palms with broad leaves that have silvery undersides. It makes a good house plant when young but needs bright light and humidity.
Chilean wine palm-see Jubaea
Chinese fan palm-see Trachycarpus
Cocos
The Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera) is one the most important commercial crops. As this palm prefers shade when young it makes a good house plant when young. This article may be re-published provided this information is published with it and is clearly visible. It has shorter fronds in a less dense head than Phoenix canariensis.