True Date Palm, Phoenix dactylifera, Tree Seeds


Easy to Grow, Fast Growth, Showy Edible Fruit/Nuts, Evergreen, Specimen Tree, Street Tree, Wildlife Food, Heat, Drought and Salt Tolerant


Although there are many palms that we call "Date Palms", the "True" Date Palm from which the tasty fruit is obtained is Phoenix dactylifera. This is a multi-stemmed palm from which the suckers are usually removed to create single stemmed specimens. Trimmed in this manner the Date Palm will grow to heights of 100 feet. The broad gray trunk is patterned with diamond-shaped leaf scars and is up to 16 inches in diameter. The large greenish or bluish gray pinnate leaves are typically 18-20 feet long by 2 feet wide. They are arranged in a thick canopy up to 40 feet wide. Leaflets are 1 to 2 feet long and arranged in V-shape ranks that run the length of the leaf stem. Leaflets near the base are modified into sharp 3 to 4 inch spines.


The yellow orange to red fruit, called 'dates', are oblong and about 1.5 inches in length. They consist of a large pointed seed surrounded by sweet sugary flesh. Dates are formed from flowers on 4 feet inflorescences that emerge from among the leaves in spring. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Only female plants produce dates and only if a male tree is nearby. Dates are not formed in climates that are too cool.


This is a spectacular palm for landscaping large areas. Date palms are also frequently seen guarding the entrances to upscale housing developments and standing at attention along boulevards.


The Date Palm is native to North Africa. The Date Palm was one of the first plants to be cultivated by humans. The people of North Africa and the Middle East have depended on dates as a food source for thousands of years. During this long interval, man has constantly selected those trees that produced the finest fruit. Today there are many distinct varieties grown commercially in Iraq, Israel, and North Africa. Commercial date groves are also found in the U.S. mainly in southern California and Arizona. Also a popular ornamental, the Date Palm graces landscapes from Florida to Texas, in the warm dry climates of the southwest from Arizona and California to Nevada and anywhere freezing temperatures are non-existent or of brief duration. The various Phoenix palm species hybridize with one another easily so individuals may show a mix of species characteristics.


Leaves: pinnate, feather-like fronds, 15 to 20 feet long, more silver-gray than other Phoenix palms, rough and sharp, toothed petioles, held more erect (not arching); life span of leaf is 3-7 years; frond bases usually persist on trunk if not removed.
Flowers: Diecious (Separate Male and Female plants); off-white clusters.
Fruit: Edible dates on female plants (if pollinated); cylindrical 1 to 2 inch long yellow fruit held out amongst fronds in pendulous clusters.
Stems/Trunks: slender trunk, 18 inches diameter, leaf base scars form interesting geometric pattern; may produce basal offsets.

Zone: 9 to 11 (cold hardy to 20 degrees F)

Growth Rate: Medium

Plant Type: Palm
Family: Arecaceae or Palmae

Native Range: North Africa

Height: 60 to 100 feet
Spread: 20 to 40 feet
Shape: Tall palm with feather fronds; fronds held upright in "feather duster" like arrangement; usually trimmed as single trunk.

Sun: Full Sun, thrives in heat.
Fall Color: Evergreen

Drought Tolerance: High

Water: Low. Although a drought resistant desert plant, the Date Palm has deep roots that typically seek out subterranean water sources. Provide regular irrigation for best look and faster growth.
Maintenance: High; fruit on females attracts animals and drops messily, frond removal.

Site Requirements /Soil Tolerances: Not particular about soil and will even grow in poor soils. Best in sandy well-drained soil.

Culture: Prune suckers annually to create single trunk specimens.

Uses: Formal groupings, street plantings, and groves in large open areas. This palm should only be used in large open areas - it is NOT a good palm for small yards.


Sowing Phoenix dactylifera Seeds:

For best results, please follow the instructions in the order provided.

Scarify: Soak in water for 24 hours

Stratify: None

Germination: Sow 1” Deep. Sow in deep pot as fast growing tap root grows very quickly and if in a shallow pot will strike bottom and may be damaged. Germination of seed may take 2 to 3 months under normal conditions.

For more information about seed pretreatment and growing trees and shrubs from seed, please download this .pdf:

https://cdn.forestresearch.gov.uk/2007/08/fcpg018.pdf


Germination:

  1. Seeds Packets are labeled with seed name and sowing details.
  2. Seeds have not been pretreated unless specified in the listing.
  3. Seed is not a specific Cultivar (Variety) unless specified in the listing.
  4. Due to the many factors involved in successful germination, Seller cannot be responsible for buyers growing methods or mistakes.
  5. I have provided what I believe to be a good overview on this page (which you are free to print for further reference), however, it is still recommended to check specialist literature for more details and practices specific to your climate and soil conditions to avoid mistakes in the germination and growing process.


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