Species Canary Island date palm
Green crown with white stems and light-brown trunk.

Canary Island date palm

Phoenix canariensis

The Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) is an impressive, stately palm tree native to the Canary Islands. Known for its dramatic, symmetrical crown of up to 7-9 smooth, strong leaves, it can reach heights of almost 80 feet. Its deep green leaves are up to 5-10 feet in length, with yellowish gray-green bark. It bears large fruits which resemble dates but are not edible. As an easy-care, drought-tolerant plant, it requires minimal watering and can be grown in full sun or partial shade. It is a striking addition to any garden!

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Offsets,Air Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation,Division,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

9 - 11

Flowers:

Creamy white to pale yellow Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Fruits:

green,yellow,orange,brown Fruits Ready In

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

High

watering

The Canary Island date palm should be watered on a regular basis, and enough water should be provided to keep the top 10-12 inches of soil moist at all times. During the summer, water should be applied about twice a week, and in the winter it can be reduced to once a week. Check the soil to make sure there is enough moisture before watering. If the Palms are in a container, make sure to monitor the soil for dryness and provide additional water when needed.

sunlight

Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) needs full sun in order to thrive. It does best when it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. The best times to provide direct sunlight are in the morning when the sun is just starting to rise and then in the late afternoon when the sun is just starting to set and is not as hot. If your Canary Island date palm is in a shadier area, you may need to set up temporary shade cloths or move it to a different location in order to give it more direct sun.

pruning

Canary Island date palm should be pruned twice a year, once in early spring and again in early fall. Pruning should remove any dead or diseased fronds and fruit stalks that may have grown during the year. It is recommended to remove no more than a quarter of the oldest fronds in each pruning session. The oldest fronds are usually the lowest on the trunk and can most definitely be identified due to their dry, yellowing leaves. Removing too many fronds can reduce the tree’s health and vigor. Lastly, additional removal of excess seed stalks can improve the overall look of the tree.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

The Phoenix canariensis typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

The Phoenix canariensis typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Harvest Fruit

The Phoenix canariensis is typically harvested from June to August.

Hardiness Map