Date Palms

How to choose a date palm

The Dwarf Date Palm, Phoenix roebelenii, is the small one. It grows slowly to two or three metres with a slender trunk and a soft, arching crown of fine fronds. It suits pots, pool surrounds, courtyards and bright positions indoors.

The Canary Island Date Palm, Phoenix canariensis, is a landmark tree. It forms a massive trunk and a crown of stiff, arching fronds that can span eight metres or more, and it eventually reaches twelve metres or taller. Plant it only where it has room: a large lawn, an entry drive or an acreage garden. The Senegal Date Palm, Phoenix reclinata, is a clumping species that makes several slender, leaning trunks, a good feature for a large warm climate garden.

Where date palms grow

The Canary Island date palm is the hardiest. It grows from the subtropics to cool temperate districts, takes frost, drought and salt wind, and is well suited to the dry summers of southern Australia. The dwarf date palm prefers the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zone; it takes sun or part shade and only light frost. The Senegal date palm belongs in warm, frost free or nearly frost free climates.

All need good drainage and do their growing in the warm months. For other palms see our palm trees, the large palms for instant impact and plants for pots.

Planting and spacing

Plant in spring or summer when the soil is warm. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball, keep the palm at the same depth it grew in the pot and water in well. Space dwarf date palms one and a half to two metres apart in a group. Give a Canary Island date palm at least five metres of clearance from buildings, paths and other trees, and keep it away from places where people will brush past the lower fronds. Allow a Senegal date palm several metres to spread as a clump.

Care basics

Water regularly for the first two summers. Established Canary Island date palms need little extra water; the dwarf date palm looks better with steady moisture in dry weather, especially in pots. Feed in spring and summer with a palm fertiliser, as palms short of potassium or magnesium show yellowing on the older fronds.

Date palms carry long, sharp spines at the base of the fronds, so wear heavy gloves and eye protection when pruning. Remove only fronds that are fully brown, cutting close to the trunk, and leave green fronds in place, as the palm draws on them. Our date palm guide compares the species and their care in more detail.

Common questions

Can I grow a date palm in a pot?

The dwarf date palm is well suited to a pot for many years. The Canary Island date palm will sit in a large tub while young but belongs in the ground long term.

How big does a Canary Island date palm get?

Twelve metres or more in height over many decades, with a crown that can reach eight metres across and a very thick trunk.

Do these palms produce dates to eat?

They produce small date like fruit on female plants, but the flesh is thin. The dates sold for eating come from a different species, Phoenix dactylifera.

Do date palms tolerate frost?

The Canary Island date palm tolerates frost well once established. The dwarf date palm takes only light frost, and the Senegal date palm prefers a frost free position.