Wild date palm (Senegal date palm) Phoenix reclinata
Wild date palm (Senegal date palm) (Phoenix reclinata) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Arecaceae family, native to Tropical and southern Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula (riverbanks and wetlands). It grows 4–10 m (13–33 ft) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
Plan Wild date palm (Senegal date palm) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Wild date palm (Senegal date palm) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Arecaceae |
| Mature height | 4–10 m (13–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about September for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: ripe fruit (thin sweet flesh), palm heart, sap (palm wine) |
| Native to | Tropical and southern Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula (riverbanks and wetlands) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Wild date palm (Senegal date palm) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; very sharp spines at the base of the leaves.
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 Wild date palm (Senegal date palm)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Wild date palm (Senegal date palm)
- How far apart should I plant Wild date palm (Senegal date palm)?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
- Does Wild date palm (Senegal date palm) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Wild date palm (Senegal date palm) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Wild date palm (Senegal date palm)?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Wild date palm (Senegal date palm) flower?
- From about September for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Wild date palm (Senegal 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. Not poisonous; very sharp spines at the base of the leaves.
- What grows well with Wild date palm (Senegal date palm)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Wild date palm (Senegal date palm). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
Notes and assumptions
- A clumping palm with several leaning, curving trunks; leaves are used for mats and baskets. Separate male and female plants; hybridises freely with other Phoenix palms in gardens.
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
- Date palm Phoenix dactylifera
- 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