If palm trees are symbolic of our sub-tropical climate, then date palms are the plants for the dry times we are experiencing here in Florida. Yes - we have had some much needed rain in the past week, but the potential for continued drought may encourage Florida Yard owners to take a look at a group of palms that are adapted to dry conditions - the date palms. Information for today’s column comes to us from research conducted by former University of Florida Extension Specialist Alan Meerow.

Date Palms all belong to the genus Phoenix. The genus name is Greek for tender, but as far as palms go in Florida, these are among the most cold tolerant palms found in out landscapes. Despite their common appearance in our landscapes, they are not native to the New World, but instead hail from areas ranging from Africa and Asia.

Almost all Date palms grown in Florida are drought tolerant species, which makes sense if you image these plants in the Mediterranean-type climates that they originate; think warm and dry, not hot and humid. Another climatic note is that many of these palms will survive temperatures as low as 20^o F., so they do well over most of the Florida peninsula. Their slow growth means they can be long term fixtures in your Florida Yard, but will be expensive to acquire.

The physical characteristics of these plants can be used to distinguish them from other palms. Landscape maintenance personnel often don’t like Date palms because they are armed with large thorns at the base of their pinnate leaves, which are feather-shaped fronds. When fronds fall off, or as is more likely the case, are pruned off, they will leave a diamond-shaped scar on a dark brown stem. They produce clusters of oval-shaped fruit that in the case of one species, the Edible date, is cultivated as a fruit crop in desert-like climates.

Culture of the date palms is not unlike that of other tropical ornamentals grown in our Florida yards with a few exceptions and reminders:

• First, these are by nature dry climate plants that will suffer if provided with copious amounts of moisture. It amazes me to see people trying to use fungicides to solve bud rot or foot rot problems of date problems that are caused by directing sprinkler heads at water-hungry annuals planted in beds under date palms. When you consider the price of a Impatiens plant (< $1.00) to that of a specimen Canary Island Date palm ( $6000.00 or more), wouldn’t it make sense to plant water loving flowers somewhere else?
• Maybe it’s the revenge of the lawn men, but there is a disturbing trend towards over pruning palms in general and date palms in particular. Research has shown that regular removal of date palm fronds that are not totally brown will result in nutritional deficiencies. Palms need leaves to make food to grow, and removing them prematurely will stress the plant. And, there’s evidence that palm weevils are attracted to date palms that have been heavily pruned.
• Palms need palm fertilizers, and sweet (alkaline) soils will encourage yellowing and other stresses. Ask our Master Gardener volunteers about palm deficiency symptoms, fertilizer rates and frequency, and soil pH testing.

Canary Island Date Palm

Senegal Date Palm

Pygmy Date Palm

Date Palm

There are four common species of ornamental date palms commonly grown in Florida, and a couple other that are un common, plus a number of hybrids between these species that make life interesting for botanists and homeowners alike. Here are some descriptions that highlight the attributes of the common species:

• Canary Island DatePalm (Phoenix canariensis) is highly prized for its formal aspect in the landscape and for its cold hardiness. The leaf scar pattern on the trunk is very ornamental. The 40-foot spread of Canary Island dates mean ample room will be needed even when young. Extremely tough and durable, this species endures dry conditions and poor soils. Watch for yellowing which usually means magnesium deficiencies. Poorly drained sites should be avoided and over-irrigation increases susceptibility to various fungal diseases. Stressed plants are often invaded by palmetto weevils which quickly destroy the irreplaceable 'heart.' Many Canary Island dates including blue-green leafed specimens are actually hybrids of this and other Phoenix species. At $100-240 per foot of clear trunk, expect specimens to cost in the thousands of dollars.
• Senegal Date Palm (Phoenix reclinata) is the only date palm that forms a clump. It suckers vigorously and a single unpruned plant can have more than 20 stems. Senegal date palms hybridize readily with other date species, so expect variation. It is valued as a specimen plant for accent, but sufficient room is necessary both to allow for its natural (40 foot) spread and to keep some distance from its dagger-like leaflet spines. Senegal date looks best if trimmed up to reveal the slender, matted trunks. A more open cluster can be achieved by selectively removing some of the stems. If you want to see Florida’s Champion Senegal date Palm, plan to visit McKee Botanical Gardens. Reclinata may cost little as $100 for a 10 foot tall clump, or as much as $5000 for a clump with 20 to 30 five-foot trunks.
• Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelinii) is one of the most widely used date palms in the United States. It is single-trunked in nature, but multiples are frequently produced planting three or more individual plants together in the same container. This palm’s small stature (10 foot maximum), slow rate of growth, ease of culture, and graceful crown have made it a popular accent plant in tropical landscapes. It is the least drought tolerant of the dates, but it is still handles our droughts and doesn’t like excessive moisture. The crown requires occasional trimming of the browned older leaves. Pygmy date palms are also one of the most adaptable dates for container culture, though it does not hold up very well in dimly lit interiors. A 3 - 4 foot tall "triple" goes for around $75.00 at the garden center.
• Edible or 'True' Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) This palm is becoming much more widely used in landscaping . "Female" palms produce the fruit of commerce for several years, but as their productivity declines, large specimens have become available from date groves in California and Arizona for landscape purposes. They have a broad range of environmental tolerance, but fruit poorly in the humid tropics and subtropics. The canopy of date palm is often sparse in comparison to Canary Island date. Because lethal yellowing disease is sometimes found here, their selection should also be carefully considered as no variety is known to be resistant. There are subtle differences among some of the named cultivars of this palm which include Deglet Noor, Medjool and Zahidi. They will cost several thousand dollars for specimen sized plants.

For those persons who wish to find out more about how to take care of dates and other palms, I recommend that Internet users start their search at the Palm Production and Culture website hosted by the UF Fort Lauderdale Research & Education Center. The web address is: http://www.ftld.ufl.edu/palm.htm.  We also have a number of Extension bulletins on palm care and copies of some of my previous articles on palms at our office, and can refer you to local members of the Palm Society. 

If you need additional information on date palms, visit your county Master Gardeners, or call or stop by your county Extension office. For those with other questions about Florida Yards, contact me - my phone number is 863-763-6469 and you can send e-mail to dfculbert@ifas.ufl.edu.

Links:

UF/IFAS Miami / Dade County Extension Service:  PHOENIX PALMS FOR SOUTH FLORIDA. http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/programs/commorn/publications/Phoenix%20palms%20for%20S.%20FL..PDF  

GROWING TRUE DATE PALMS IN SOUTH FLORIDA. http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/programs/commorn/publications/growing-true-dates-in-south-florida.PDF 

Trade names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific information.  They do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does it imply criticism of products not named. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. Florida Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS /University of Florida. Larry A. Arrington,  Dean.  Last update: 06/12/2006 .  This page is maintained by Dan Culbert