The phoenix palm (bot. Phoenix canariensis), also known as the "Canary date palm", can often be found on terraces or in gardens in this country. No wonder, because the attractive plant is considered to be robust and extremely frugal, which is why it still thrives in the Central European climate. There are about 14 different types of date palms, all of which come from rather dry climates and can be cultivated in containers as ornamental plants.

The phoenix palm comes from the warm Canary Islands

Table of Contents

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  1. origin and distribution
  2. use
  3. appearance and growth
  4. leaves
  5. blossoms
  6. fruit
  7. toxicity
  8. Which location is suitable?
  9. substrate
  10. Water the phoenix palm
  11. Fertilize the phoenix palm properly
  12. repot
  13. Prune phoenix palm properly
  14. Propagate phoenix palm
  15. hibernate
  16. species and varieties

    17. origin and distribution

    The Canary Island date palm or phoenix palm (bot. Phoenix canariensis) belongs to the palm family (bot. Arecaceae). It is one of around 14 different species of the Phoenix palm genus, which originally came from the Middle East and spread across India and North Africa to the subtropical and tropical regions of Africa as well as to the Mediterranean islands, the Azores and the Canary Islands. The phoenix palm, on the other hand, comes from the Canary Islands, where it is rarely found in the wild. The species is closely related to the real date palm (bot. Phoenix dactylifera), which has been cultivated for thousands of years for its fruit.

    use

    Due to its high ornamental value and its robustness, the phoenix palm is often cultivated as a container plant in gardens, on terraces or balconies and in winter gardens. Since the plant is not hardy in our country, it should not be planted out in the garden. In the Mediterranean regions, on the other hand, it is often found as avenue or park planting. Date palms develop deep roots that allow them to survive even in a very dry environment. For this reason, the plants also thrive in oases in the middle of otherwise hostile sandy deserts.

    If there is little space, we recommend cultivating a dwarf date palm (bot. Phoenix roebelenii), which is well adapted to being kept in a tub

    Use as a houseplant

    Even if date palms are often touted as houseplants, you should not keep them in the living room all year round - they only feel comfortable here during the short transition periods in spring and autumn. During the summer months, on the other hand, the Mediterranean plants need significantly more light than they would get in the brightest part of the apartment. For this reason, they are better off outdoors. During the winter months, on the other hand, a cool, but frost-free and bright hibernation makes sense. Phoenix palms kept purely as houseplants usually do not have a long life span.

    appearance and growth

    All date palms are so-called feather palms, which are green all year round and, depending on the species, also develop trunks of different strengths. The phoenix palm, for example, initially grows without a stem, as this only develops over the years. In its natural habitat, the Canary Island Date Palm reaches heights of growth of up to 15 meters, but stays much lower when cultivated in pots. The strikingly patterned trunk of this species of palm develops from the woody stigmas of dead leaves, with the lower portion eventually being smooth on older specimens. The dwarf palm, on the other hand, develops a trunk that is only up to 15 centimeters thick and reaches a maximum height of approx. two meters.

    leaves

    The characteristic, imparipinnate leaves of the phoenix palm are located at the upper end of the trunk and protrude in an arching manner. As a rule, the fronds at the tips of the leaves are equidistant from each other, which is why the plant always looks evenly grown. Date palms constantly develop new leaves while the old ones die off and the trunk gradually develops.

    The Canary Date Palm forms long, pointed, wide fronds up to five meters long with green leaves, which can develop into an impressive crown. The dwarf date palm, on the other hand, has fronds that are no more than two meters long. The leaf stalks of both species are often thorny.

    blossoms

    Between February and May, the phoenix palm forms numerous flower spikes up to one and a half meters long at its traditional locations, which are dioecious - this means that both male and female flowers develop. However, the Canary date palm does not bloom in the Central European climate or only with a corresponding culture in the air-conditioned winter garden.

    fruit

    Dates are available in dried form in supermarkets in Germany, especially during the Advent and Christmas season. The fruits, which are oblong and fleshy seeds, develop exclusively from the female flowers. These sit very plentifully on long panicles. However, only the real date palm (bot. Phoenix dactylifera) produces edible dates, and it only bears fruit in the warm growing regions. The fruits of the Canary date palm, on the other hand, are not edible due to their very tart taste.

    toxicity

    Like all real palms, the Canary date palm is not poisonous and can therefore be cultivated in households with small children and pets without any problems. The only thing to be careful of is the long, hard leaves that can easily cut you.

    Which location is suitable?

    The Canary date palm needs a bright and warm location, although outdoors it is best placed in a sunny to light, semi-shaded place that is protected from cold winds. The plant, which is adapted to the Mediterranean climate, tolerates constant drafts just as little as cold rain. The phoenix palm feels particularly comfortable in the light semi-shade, but after a period of getting used to it, it also tolerates direct sunlight quite well. However, shading should be possible against the harsh midday sun. If it gets cooler than about 15 degrees Celsius, the plant belongs in the brightest possible place in the house.

    Date palms are very suitable for cultivation in a warm conservatory, as long as there is regular ventilation and there is enough light.

    substrate

    Like all palm trees, the phoenix palm also feels at home in loose palm soil, which you can either buy ready-made in specialist shops or mix yourself from two-thirds compost soil and one-third lava gravel or coarse sand.

    Water the phoenix palm

    Since a lot of water evaporates through the large fronds, the phoenix palm has a high water requirement. Always water thoroughly when the substrate has dried on the surface. Don't let the soil dry out or keep the plant standing in a puddle of water. Rainwater is best for watering, but you can also use calcareous tap water - in contrast to tropical palm species. If the water is hard, balance the lime content with an occasional fertilization with coffee grounds. In contrast to the tropical representatives of the palm family, the phoenix palms, which come from a semiarid climate, do not have to be sprayed - they usually get along very well with humidity between 40 and 60 percent.

    Fertilize the phoenix palm properly

    During the growing season between April and September, you should provide the phoenix palm with a suitable fertilizer about every two weeks. A special palm fertilizer is suitable for this, but any conventional leaf or green plant fertilizer can also be used. In the case of the latter, note that the phosphorus (P) content is slightly lower than that of potassium (K) and nitrogen (N). Dose rather lightly, because the plant, which is sensitive in this regard, will quickly die as a result of over-fertilization. Don't fertilize during the winter dormant period.

    repot

    Because phoenix palms are slow-growing, you only need to repot them into a larger container every few years. It is high time for this step when the roots fill the entire pot and cannot find any more space. Now choose a container that is both wider and deeper, as date palms develop strong taproots and therefore grow downwards like carrots. The best time for repotting is spring - before clearing out the winter quarters - or late autumn before clearing.
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    Prune phoenix palm properly

    Palm trees and thus also the Canary date palm should not be pruned, as this results in an unsightly appearance and the wound surfaces also provide an ideal entry point for fungi and other pathogens. This also applies to withering leaves, which occur frequently and are typical of palm growth - they eventually become the trunk. Therefore, do not cut the fronds until they have completely dried out.

    Do not try to limit the growth of the phoenix palm by pruning or cutting the fronds. The only way to influence growth to a certain extent is to shorten the roots when repotting - then the plant will at least grow more slowly.
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    Propagate phoenix palm

    The easiest way to propagate phoenix palms is vegetatively via the side shoots that emerge from the root area next to the main trunk in spring. Simply cut them off and then plant them in a pot with growing substrate. Place it in a bright and warm place and keep the soil slightly moist, and with a bit of luck the offshoot will take root within a few weeks.

    hibernate

    If it is permanently cooler than 15 degrees Celsius outside in autumn, you should gradually prepare the phoenix palm for hibernation. Stop fertilizing, gradually reduce the watering and finally place the plant in a bright and cool place of around 10 to 15 degrees Celsius - for example in the (unheated) conservatory, bedroom or stairwell.

    tips

    If the phoenix palm is too warm in winter, it can be attacked by spider mites or scale and mealybugs. Regular spraying helps against these pests, and the location should also be kept cooler.

    species and varieties

    In addition to the species Phoenix canariensis described here, the dwarf date palm (bot. Phoenix roebelenii), which is widespread in Southeast Asia, is also suitable for pot culture. This phoenix species, which grows around a meter high in indoor culture, has very similar preferences to the related Canary date palm in terms of location, substrate and care.

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