Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis)
Profile Information
Scientific name:
Common name(s): Canary Island Date Palm, Canary Palm, Pineapple Palm, and Canary Island Palm.
Family: Arecaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 8+
Origin: Native to the Canary Islands
Canary Island Date Palm Culture:
 This palm is very slow growing when young. Once the trunk reaches it's full diameter the growth rate increases. Fertilize in spring and summer. It is tolerant of most well drained soils. Keep lawn grasses and mulch away from trunk. Use light, fast draining soilmix when growing in containers. Young plants are very susceptible to leaf spot and other fungus infections when grown in humid climates. I have success treating this condition with Daconil fungicide spray (follow instructions on container).
California Fan Palm Growth Rate:
Slow
Canary Island Date Palm Light requirements:
Canary Island Date palm prefers exposure to full sun and even quite small specimens will thrive in full sun.
Canary Island Date Palm Trees Water requirements:
Adult specimens are drought resistant. Water young plants for healthy look and fastest growth.
Canary Island Date Palms Maintenance:
Easy. It is not a self-cleaning palm, so you need to cut off dead leaves to maintain its beautiful appearance other wise you will end with decomposing leaves hanging from below the palm’s canopy. When pruned correctly, the bottom of the crown has a so called nut that looks like a pineapple, hence the name Pineapple Palm.
Canary Island Date Palm Hardiness:
Cold hardy to about 15-20F. It can also tolerate drought when mature enough. Great for growing in USDA Zones 8b (15 to 20 F) to 11 (above 40 F).
Canary Island Date Palm Trees Insects and Diseases:
Generally healthy palm
Canary Island Date Palm Tree Propagation by seed:
Propagated by seed.
Canary Island Date Palm Usage:
This is not a good palm tree for residences unless you have a really large yard. The huge bulk of the Canary Island palm dwarfs most houses. This palm is best used along boulevards, on campuses and in parks and grouped in trios to form focal points in cityscapes. I particularly like the look of a trio of these palms of different heights, with their trunks floodlit at night - very dramatic! Small specimens make great container plants - they look especially nice in large terra cotta pots. In colder regions they can be over-wintered indoors in a cool bright location. |
