Date Palm
Phoenix dactylifera
A large, evergreen palm featuring a single or clustered upright trunk topped with a crown of long, pinnate leaves made up of stiff, linear leaflets.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Water
- High drought tolerance once established. Water deeply when the top few inches of soil become dry. Avoid waterlogged conditions to prevent root rot.
- Growth
- Perennial evergreen tree with a single upright, columnar trunk, reaching mature heights of 50 to 75 feet and a spread of 20 to 40 feet with a slow to moderate growth rate.
Care instructions
Provide full sun exposure and plant in well-draining soil. Water deeply during establishment and allow the soil to dry out moderately between waterings. Fertilize during the active growing season with a balanced palm fertilizer.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Watering
High drought tolerance once established. Water deeply when the top few inches of soil become dry. Avoid waterlogged conditions to prevent root rot.
Soil
Prefers sandy or loamy, exceptionally well-draining soils with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH range of 7.0 to 8.5.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 11, preferring warm, arid climates.
Growth habit
Perennial evergreen tree with a single upright, columnar trunk, reaching mature heights of 50 to 75 feet and a spread of 20 to 40 feet with a slow to moderate growth rate.
Bloom season
Spring; produces small, creamy-white flowers arranged on large, branched inflorescences emerging from among the leaves.
Propagation
Propagated primarily through offshoots (pups) removed from the base of the parent plant, or occasionally from seeds, though seed-grown plants take longer to mature and vary in characteristics.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to fungal leaf spots, root rot in poorly draining soils, and insect pests such as scale insects, spider mites, and palm weevils.
Similar species
Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis), which features a much thicker trunk and a denser, more rounded canopy compared to the slender silhouette of the date palm.