Date palm Phoenix dactylifera
Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Arecaceae family, native to Arid Middle East and North Africa (exact origin uncertain; cultivated for millennia). It grows 8–15 m (26–49 ft) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -8 °C (18 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
Plan Date palm in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Date palm at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Arecaceae |
| Mature height | 8–15 m (26–49 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 8 m (26 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 8 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -8 °C (18 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 48 °C (118 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: fruit (dates), palm heart |
| Native to | Arid Middle East and North Africa (exact origin uncertain; cultivated for millennia) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇮🇷 Iran |
Is Date palm toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Fruit is edible and the plant is listed as non-toxic to pets; the leaf spines are sharp and cause puncture injuries.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Date palm
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Date palm in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (1 plants)
- Desert Botanical Garden (2 plants)
Questions about Date palm
- How far apart should I plant Date palm?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
- Does Date palm need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Date palm need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Date palm?
- It tolerates about -8 °C (18 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Date palm flower?
- From about March for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Date palm poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Fruit is edible and the plant is listed as non-toxic to pets; the leaf spines are sharp and cause puncture injuries.
- What grows well with Date palm?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Date palm. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Dioecious: only female palms bear dates and need pollen from a male, usually hand-applied. Fruit needs very hot, dry summers; it rots in humid climates. Hardy to about −8 °C once established; the dead frond skirt is highly flammable.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Coconut palm Cocos nucifera
- Açaí palm Euterpe oleracea
- Mexican fan palm Washingtonia robusta
- African oil palm Elaeis guineensis
- Areca palm (golden cane palm) Dypsis lutescens
- Chilean wine palm Jubaea chilensis
- Joey palm Johannesteijsmannia altifrons
- Clustering fishtail palm Caryota mitis