Maureen Gilmer
Family
Arecaceae
Botanical Name
Phoenix dactylifera
Plant Common Name
Date Palm
General Description
A tall palm with an upright feather-duster crown of long gray-green fronds, the date palm produces large pendent clusters of the sweet edible dates of renown. An ancient foodsource integral to the cultures of the drier regions of Africa and Asia for 5000 years, this palm apparently originated in northern Africa and the Middle East. It is found only in cultivation, although several wild date palm species are known. Borne in an arching clump at the apex of the trunk, the fronds have many slender leaflets with the lowest ones reduced to large, nasty spines. The canopy of this species is sparser and more upright than that of other date palms. Mature specimens often send up additional trunks from their base.
With the heat of late spring, branching stems bearing hundreds of tiny white flowers droop from the leaf crowns. Each tree is dioecious, producing only male or female flowers. Female trees bear oval single-seeded fruits that are golden yellow or reddish brown when ripe. The flesh that surrounds the hard seed is sweet and juicy.
Grow date palm in full sun in nearly any well-drained soil, including those that are quite alkaline. Although tolerating drought and salt, the plant needs water to thrive and should not be treated like a desert cactus. It is more cold hardy in porous relatively dry soil. Fruit quantity and quality is best in regions that do not have a wet, humid summer. Use date palm as an upright accent by streets or large buildings, or more dramatically in clustered groupings of varying heights.
Hundreds of date palm cultivars are known, selected for the tastebuds, climate and soils of the regions in which they are cultivated. Cultivar 'Deglet Noor' is the most commonly used in commercial date production while 'Medjool' and 'Zahedii' are widely grown in relatively moist climes.
Date palm is considered an invasive weed in several areas including portions of Western Australia and Fiji.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 9
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 12
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Palm or Cycad
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Height
50'-75' / 15.2m - 22.9m
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Width
20'-35' / 6.1m - 10.7m
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer
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Native To
Northern Africa, Western Asia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought, Salt
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Upright/Erect
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Ivory
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Fruit Color
Yellow, Orange Red
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Blue Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Blue Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Gray Green, Silver
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
Yes
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Bold
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Edible, Feature Plant, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Street Trees, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
Yes
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Birds
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Self-Sowing
Yes
