Canary Island Date

Phoenix canariensis

Cold Hardy

 

The Canary Island Date Palm's huge crown of stiff leaves over a thick trunk is best suited for more formal and spacious landscapes.  

 

People often call this palm tree a "Pineapple Palm” because of its resemblance to a pineapple.  Ferns often germinate in the "pineapple" part as the trunk forms, adding to the palm’s ornamental look.

 

The base has a fat, pineapple-like shape and a crusty leaf scar pattern, more noticeable while the palm is young.

 

Specifications

 

The canary date is a slow grower reaching heights to 40 feet. Give it plenty of room since the wide-spreading fronds stay low to the ground for many years as the trunk slowly forms.

 

In spite of its tropical look, a Canary Island Date is one of the best cold hardy palms.  It is fine anywhere in Zone 9 and southward.

 

The Canary Date is moderately salt-tolerant and needs a full sun location. It produces ornamental fruits resembling dates in spring and early summer.  The fruit is edible but doesn’t taste very good.

 

Care

 

Add top soil or organic peat to the hole when you plant.

 

Fertilize in spring, summer and fall with a granular palm fertilizer with micronutrients. The Canary Date Palm can be prone to potassium deficiency - which causes yellowed fronds - but you can apply a fertilizer that's high in potassium to keep it green.

 

This palm is not self-cleaning, so you'll need to remove browned fronds. But because of its slow rate of growth this isn’t a regular chore.  Avoid removing horizontal fronds or those above.

 

Though the Date Palm is drought tolerant once established, make sure it gets watered during dry spells.

 

Spacing

 

Canary Dates are very big palms so you need to plan for the palm's eventual massive size. It is best to plant

Canary Date Palms well away from the house (at least 10 feet).  If planting more than one, space them 10 to 15 feet apart.  Canary Date's are too big for containers.

 

Landscaping with Canary Date Palms

 

• use to anchor a large bed

• as a single yard specimen

• flanking a large formal gate and/or driveway entrance