Pygmy Date Palm Supply

Low maintenance palm that grows indoors and out

Turn your yard into a tropical get away with the exotic Pygmy Date Palm.

Save space with this compact miniature palm. It can fit anywhere, in the corners of your garden, by the deck or pool.

Place it in a container and place it on the porch to frame entry ways. If your area gets too cold for the palm, simply bring it inside once the weather gets cold.

It has upright green branches covered with long slender leaflets. The branches curve towards the top to provide an elegant open crown. It will wave hello to your guests and neighbors as they pass by, making them jealous of its beauty.

In the spring small creamy flowers emerge and quickly turn into incredibly sweet dates. This exotic fruit is hard to find! Its dark crimson skin pops out against the leaves, giving Pygmy Date Palms a unique eye catching look.

Planting & Care

The Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii) is a compact species of palm that can be used in any part of the landscape in USDA growing zones 9-11 and as a houseplant in the rest of the country. Growing at 1-2 feet per year they will slowly reach an overall height of 5 to 9 feet tall. If planting a single trunk specimen they will get 2-5 feet wide, if planting a multiple trunk specimen, they can reach 5-7 feet wide. Mature palms can tolerate cold temperatures of 15 degrees but younger trees will need to be protected when temperatures begin to drop near the 20 degree range. These plants can easily be planted in a container and brought inside for the winter months if you are in an area that is too cold for the tree to remain outdoors in the winter. They can be placed on a deck or patio, or make a great entry way plant during the spring and summer months then brought indoors before the temperatures begin to drop. If you are in a warm enough climate, these trees can produce edible dates, flowering in spring the fruits typically ripen in September to October.

Selecting a location: Choose a location that receives a lot of sun, but while the tree is still young, try to limit direct sunlight to 3 hours per day.

Planting Directions: For warm weather locations, palm trees can be planted pretty much any time of year. For colder regions, it’s best to wait until the weather warms up a bit before planting. If there is going to be waiting period before you plant, keep the palms roots moist but don’t soak them.

1) Dig a hole that is 2-3 times the width and just as deep as the root ball.
2) Handle your palm tree carefully when placing it in the hole. Be especially careful of the tree’s roots and the bud (or heart) because this is where your Palm Tree’s new growth will come from.
3) Place the tree in the hole making sure the top of the roots are level with the surrounding soil. Tamp down as you fill in the hole to prevent air pockets from forming.

Watering: Watering for the first several months after planting is critical to the overall health and successful growth of your Palm. Be sure to use water that is salt-free to avoid leaf yellowing spotting. Keep a watchful eye on the soil, make sure there is enough moisture present to prevent it from drying out completely. That being said, you also need to make sure that you don’t over water, which could lead to root disease and limit the establishment of new roots in the surrounding soil. The typical rule of thumb with palms is to water once a week or more often as necessary, with less watering required during the dormant period in the winter.

Pruning: Palms do not need much pruning except to remove damaged fronds. Be careful not to pull off dead or damaged frond as that can leave a wound behind. Always remove any damaged fronds by pruning them off with a sharp pair of sterilized pruners. The pygmy date palm does not have a self cleaning trunk like most other varieties. Old leaf removal is required to allow the tree to keep its beautiful appearance.

Mulch: To help enrich the soil and reduce growth competition from weeds, apply a heavy mulch around the trunk, using wood chips, cypress bark or lawn clippings. This will also help to reduce water consumption.

Fertilizing: Nutrients are vital for Palm trees to thrive. The sandy, well-drained soils they prefer have a tendency to allow nutrients to leach away quickly. You can apply palm fertilizers that contain the specific nutrients most suited for Palm trees. The slow release of these nutrients will provide consistent, targeted feeding to help your tree grow strong and healthy. If you prefer, you can use a balanced fertilizer containing 8-8-8 or a 12-6-12 fertilizer for quicker growth. To avoid yellowing and maintain a healthy shade of green coloring, feed your tree a few spoons full of Epsom salt.