Are you blessed with palm trees in your backyard? Then give your Christmas decorations a tropical twist and wrap them with LED rope lights for a magical time outdoors this holiday season.
Decorating these tall narrow leafy trees requires a bit more measurement and precision than with the traditional pine tree but it can be just as fun. All you need as extra tools are a ladder and a staple gun and you are ready to go.
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Best LED Palm Tree Lights
Check out these beautiful LED rope light options for your Christmas palm tree then scroll down for a quick guide on how to wrap rope lights on palm trees.
Best Overall: Surnie Flat & Flexible Daylight Color
Getting round rope lights to hang still around a tree can be difficult so Surnie offers a flatter shape that is easier to wrap tight around the trunk.
The flat sides on this product increases the surface area increasing the friction which in turn makes it less likely to slide down when spun around tightly.
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This is one of the brighter options with a 6000 kelvin daylight white glow and 22500 lumen to make your palm trees stand out from a distance. If you want to get the attention from your neighbors then this is the one for you.
The string light itself is IP65 waterproof but the power plug is not so make that it is safe from all weather conditions. Otherwise you can trust that this product will last you for years since it has an expected lifespan of 50,000 hours, typical of an LED.
Length | 50 ft |
Color | Daylight white |
Outdoor Suitable | IP65 |
Expandable | No |
Possible to Cut | No |
Power Source | Plug-in |
Second Best: Ainfox 150 Ft Expandable and Easily Cut Rope with Clips
Want to cover as much space as possible? Then go for this pretty long option by Ainfox that reaches an impressive 150 feet and lasts a whopping 50,000 hours.
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It is also one of the more versatile choices because you can cut it off at every 3 feet (marked on the rope) without causing damage to the lights. The package also already includes clips and end caps that let you connect different pieces, even different colored pieces from the same line.
For those that love DIY projects and go all out in their Christmas fairy lights, this is the best option for this year.
Length | 150 ft |
Color | Warm white |
Outdoor Suitable | Yes |
Expandable | Yes |
Possible to Cut | Yes |
Power Source | Plug-in |
Best with Dimmable Option: Starshine Connectable Waterproof String Lights Kit
If you want to be able to control the brightness of your outdoor lights then you have to get this version by Starshine which you can hook up to a dimmer. It plugs into a regular wall outlet so you can install the dimmer there.
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This is a versatile design so you could use it for more than just Christmas decorations. The dimming feature also makes it suitable for illuminating your patio, steps or even the dog house.
The downside is that you cannot cut this rope which will break the circuit but you do have the option to choose a shorter length of 50ft. You can also use the power socket to connect several pieces together if you wish to expand.
Length | 100 ft |
Color | White |
Outdoor Suitable | IP65 |
Expandable | Yes |
Possible to Cut | No |
Power Source | Plug-in |
Thinnest Wire Option: Omika 16 Colors Ultra Thin Bendable Fairy Light
Among the vast variety of string lights, do you prefer a dainty string light over the chunkier versions with thicker plastic? Then opt for these color changing fairy lights by Omika that you can control from a distance using the included remote control.
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This product gives you 4 lighting modes with a 6 hour timer so you can create your own colorful outdoor display. Get creative with the shapes as well, if you like, because this version uses 2-strand copper wires that are super easy to bend into any form.
Each package comes with a 66 ft long rope light plus 10 ft long power cord, remote control and batteries. Despite being so thin it is a durable product but you cannot cut into it or expand it.
Length | 66 ft |
Color | 16 colors |
Outdoor Suitable | IP68 |
Expandable | No |
Possible to Cut | No |
Power Source | Plug-in (battery-powered option also available) |
Most Settings Possible: Homestarry Remote Controlled with 16 Color Changing
If you are looking for something a little more advanced then you will be happy with all the different options that are possible with this Homestarry product. It can change into 16 different colors with 4 different transitions, 4 different patterns and 3 timer settings 3 speed levels.
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This is also one of the thinner wrappings that is still durable and very flexible thanks to the silver inner wire. Though you cannot cut or expand this 80 ft long cord, you can bend it into any shape.
This is a plug-in design but you can control everything from the included and upgraded remote control. The insulation around the LED bulbs has a waterproof rating of IP67 and each purchase includes a 1-year support.
Length | 80 ft |
Color | 16 colors |
Outdoor Suitable | IP67 |
Expandable | No |
Possible to Cut | No |
Power Source | Plug-in |
Most Durable: Direct Lighting Expandable Heavy Duty Rope
This product was intended for commercial use so you can be assured that it is made to top quality. This Direct Lighting option has an expected lifespan of over 100,000 hours and is insulated with heavy-duty PVC.
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This is one of the shorter options but it is also one of the more affordable choices so you can buy a few extra rolls and get creative with your decorations. The power cord is already connected giving you an extra distance of 4 feet.
Length | 50 ft |
Color | Warm white |
Outdoor Suitable | Yes |
Expandable | No |
Possible to Cut | No |
Power Source | Plug-in |
For a quick recap, Here are our Top 3 products:

- 6000 Kelvin
- White Glow Color
- 22500 Lumen Brightness
- 1500+ Amazon Reviews

- 50,000 Hours Lifespan
- Warm White Color
- 150 Feet Length
- PVC Tubing

- 100,000 Hours Lifespan
- Heavy-Duty PVC
- Warm White Color
- 120 Led Bulbs
How to Decorate Palm Trees with Rope Lights
The steps and materials are slightly different from decorating your indoor Christmas tree but it is still quite simple. Follow these steps and you will have a beautifully glowing outdoor space.
Required Tools:
Tape measure
Zip ties
Staple gun (optional)
Outdoor power cord
Ladder
Step 1: Calculate How Much Rope You Need
Measure the diameter and the height of the trunk.
The standard recommended distance between each layer is about 3 inches so you need to calculate how many layers of lights you can strap around the trunk with that spacing in mind.
First, divide the height of the trunk by 3. Then, multiply this number by the diameter of the trunk. If the trunk is not a uniform size, take the widest part.
If you would also like to have lights running down the fronds you will have to get into more complicated calculations. To keep it simple, double the number of feet that you will be using for the trunk so you can freehand the additional lighting on the fronds.
Step 2: Plan Out the Pattern
If you are only wrapping the trunk, then it is best to start at the top and work your way down. If you are including the fronds it is easier to do the opposite.
In either case, the power adapter should be near the ground because you will have to run this to its power source. Remember that the power adapter usually is not waterproof so make sure that you have an outdoor rated power cord to make the connection.
Step 3: Keep it Tight
Start circling the rope light around the trunk making sure that it sits tightly. Keep pulling as you go higher (use a ladder if necessary) to ensure that it is a snug fit, otherwise the lights will slide down.
Use your fingers as a rough guide for the distance between each layer – no need to make it more difficult with measuring tape.
If there are loose areas, either use zip ties or a staple gun to secure it. Zip ties are kinder to the tree because it does not cause any actual damage.
If you must use a staple gun, then use as few as possible to prevent damaging the tree. Also, make sure that the staples pierce on either side of the rope and not through it which would damage the circuit.
Step 4: Decorating Fronds
The simplest way to illuminate the fronds is by having a string of lights run right down the middle. Use zip ties to secure the rope into place but be careful that you don’t damage the leaves.
You can also use LED icicle lights along the branches for a snow effect.
Step 5: Check the Safety
Outdoor rated rope lights are waterproof but check its IP rating to be sure. The power adapter on the other hand is usually not waterproof meaning you cannot leave it randomly outside.
It better to use a power cord intended for outdoor use as a connector between the rope lights and the power adapter. This ensures that everything is safe in all weather conditions.