Also known as Arabian Date · Common Date Palm · Dadel
Phoenix dactylifera, the Date Palm, is a long-lived tree cultivated for its sweet, nutritious dates. It thrives in hot, arid climates, growing tall with a crown of large,
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full sun, at least 6-8 hours direct sunlight daily.
90% intensity
Regularly, especially when young and fruiting. Drought-tolerant once established.
60% intensity
Well-draining, sandy loam, tolerant of various soil types
50% intensity
Warm to hot, ideal 20-35 °C. Tolerates brief cold snaps.
80% intensity
Outdoor
50% intensity
Annually in spring with palm-specific fertilizer.
50% intensity
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | Yes |
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Date palms require regular watering, especially during establishment and fruit development, to ensure good yield. While mature trees are drought-tolerant, consistent moisture promotes healthier growth.
Deep watering is preferred to encourage deep root growth, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between applications. Reduce watering in cooler months.
Pruning primarily involves removing dead, diseased, or damaged fronds to maintain tree health and appearance. Lower fronds that hang below horizontal should be removed.
This also facilitates harvesting and reduces fire hazards. Use sharp, sterilized tools to prevent disease transmission. Avoid over-pruning green fronds, as this can stress the tree and reduce fruit production.
Date palms are primarily propagated from offshoots (suckers) that emerge from the base of the parent plant. These offshoots, ideally 2-5 years old and weighing 9-18 kg, are carefully detached and planted.
Seed propagation is also possible but does not guarantee true-to-type offspring and takes longer to fruit. Tissue culture is used for commercial propagation of specific cultivars.
Date palms are typically grown in the ground and are not usually repotted.
If a young palm is started in a container, it should be transplanted to a larger container or directly into the ground once its roots fill the current pot.
Choose a pot only slightly larger than the root ball to avoid overwatering issues. Ensure excellent drainage.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera)
Where Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is found
Density
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6 known issues from plant disease data
Bayoud disease in Date Palm makes one side of a frond turn ash gray and dry first, then more leaves wilt and the palm can die.
Black scorch in Date Palm causes dark, charcoal-like lesions on leaves and stalks, and severe attack can rot the heart and kill the palm.
Khamedj disease (inflorescence rot) in Date Palm starts as rusty areas on unopened spathes and can destroy the flowers inside.
Graphiola leaf spot (false smut) in Date Palm forms many tiny yellow-brown to black sori on both sides of leaflets and shortens frond life.
Diplodia disease in Date Palm causes yellow-brown streaks along the leaf base and rachis, and young offshoots or the terminal bud may die.
Belâat disease in Date Palm makes the young central fronds whiten and die, then the terminal bud rots and the trunk develops wet heart rot.
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Arecales |
| Family | Arecaceae |
| Genus | Phoenix |
| Species | Phoenix dactylifera |
Similar in genus Phoenix
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
