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Phoenix roebelenii

Pygmy Date Palm

The Pygmy Date Palm is the palm you want if you are looking to add a small statement to your landscape, or if you want a potted palm to use as an accent piece. The Date palm is a slow grower that stays short - only 10 feet or less. It has a dense crown of as many as 50 leaves at one time. As a single plant, the tree will grow straight up. The appealing aspect of these palms is the way they gracefully lean away from each other when more than one is planted in the same hole.

Phoenix roebelenii is an easy palm to grow. It likes a fertile, well drained soil with moderate moisture. It will yellow from a shortage of micronutrients if planted in a poor soil, but will respond well to a regular application of a quality palm fertilizer. The fertilizer should be manufactured specifically for the soil type in your area. The palm will do well in full sun, but actually prefers some shade. They even thrive in full shade. Evan though this is considered a tropical palm, it will take temperatures in the low 20's for a short period of time with only minor leaf damage.

This also makes an excellent indoor accent plant. It does well at normal room temperatures if given a well lit area. Because it is naturally a small palm, and it grows very slowly, it can be kept in a container for many years. The crown of dense, dark green fronds add a tropical look to any room corner.

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