Canary Islands Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis)

Canary Islands Date Palm
Scientific Name: Phoenix canariensis Chabaud
Family: Arecaceae

Show Larger Picture Recommended Temperature Zone:
sunset: 9, 12-24
USDA: 9-11

Frost Tolerance: 20°F (-7°C)
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Origin: Canary Islands
Growth Habits: Wide trunk, solitary palm tree, up to 60 feet tall (18 m), 50 feet spread (15 m); trunk with no crownshaft, up to 3 feet in diameter (90 cm); pinnate, spiny leaves. The lower leaflets as for most date palms are transformed in long spines.
Watering Needs: Moderate water
Propagation: Seeds produced by female palms, germinating rapidly with heat.

This palm tree is sometimes bought in a 1 or 5-gallon container, looking small and cute. Within a few years, as it starts building a trunk, it will be 15 feet wide, with a spiny foliage, so be sure to leave enough space.

Canary Islands Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis)

Blooming Habits:
Flower stalk coming from among the leaves.

Fruiting Habits:
Only the female palms produce the fruits. The fruits are not edible and look like small dates, up to 1.5 inches long (3.5 cm). They are not poisonous, but are very astringent. The seeds measure 1 to 1.5 inches long (2.5-3.5 cm) with ends more rounded than most other date seeds.

Propagation:
As the other Phoenix, the Canary Island Date Palm is dioecious, there are male and female palms.

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