Description
Phoenix roebelenii is a small to medium-sized, slow-growing slender tree.
Phoenix roebelenii is a small to medium-sized, slow-growing slender tree growing to 2 to 3 metres (6.6 to 9.8 ft) tall. The leaves are 60 to 120 cm (24 to 47 in) long, pinnate, with around 100 leaflets arranged in a single plane (unlike the related P. loureiroi where the leaflets are in two planes).
Each leaflet is 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 in)15 to 25 cm long and 1 cm broad, slightly drooping, and grey-green in colour with scurfy pubescence below.The flowers are small, yellowish, produced on a 45 cm (18 in) inflorescence. The fruit is an edible 1 cm drupe resembling a small, thin-fleshed date.Pygmy date palm information allows that this particular genus is known as a date palm due to its often sweet, sugary fruit pulp found in some species of Arecaceae.Plant Specifications
| Common Name | Phoenix roebelenii, pygmy date palm, miniature date palm, robellini |
| Maximum Reachable Height | 2 to 3 meter. |
| Difficulty Level | Easy to grow. |
Planting and care
The up to 6-foot long fronds of the pygmy palm tree may occasionally need reining in. Pruning pygmy palm trees is not a daunting task and merely requires periodical removal of aged or diseased foliage.When grown in soil with a pH over 7, the tree may develop magnesium or potassium deficiency with symptoms of chlorotic or spotted fronds.
Pygmy Date Palm care
The only truly suitable date palm for indoor growth is the pygmy date palm. You will occasionally see wild date palms growing in large public venues like malls, but they aren t really appropriate for any kind of residential setting. Pygmy date palms are hardy and durable palms and make excellent accent plants. They do best with loads of light,if you cannot provide adequate light, cut back or cease fertilization so the plant doesn t stretch and become ungainly.
| Sunlight | Full sun to full shade. |
| Watering | Water regularly to keep the soil moist. |
| Soil | Sandy, well-drained soil. |
| Temperature | Minimum temperature 30 degrees F. |
| Fertilizer | Fertilize pygmy date palms about two to three times per year with a fertilizer that is labelled for use with palms. Typically a fertilizer with a ratio of 8-2-12-4 is ideal. Apply fertilizers to the soil at a rate of 1-1/2 pounds per 100 square feet every three months between April and September. |
Pygmy Date Palm uses
Ornamental Use:
- The pygmy palms may do well as a container specimen on a deck or patio during the summer months in the Midwest, but will need to be overwintered indoors before the first frost