Date Palm
Phoenix dactylifera
Classic desert oasis palm that brings resort-style elegance to any landscape.
Well-suited to Phoenix Zone 9b-10a. Tolerates summer heat well and handles brief freezes to 20°F without damage.
Care Guide
Water deeply once a week in summer for established palms. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged.
Remove dead fronds annually in late spring. Never over-prune — the "hurricane cut" weakens palms. Leave at least a full crown of green fronds.
Apply a slow-release palm fertilizer (with manganese and magnesium) in March and September.
Watch for the South American Palm Weevil, an invasive pest devastating Phoenix date palms. Also susceptible to diamond scale.
Dates ripen in fall. If fruit production is unwanted, remove flower stalks in spring. Frond growth is most active May through September.
Placement Tips
- •Plant at least 10 feet from pools — falling fronds and dates can create debris.
- •Perfect for framing entries and driveways for a resort feel.
- •Ensure adequate space overhead — mature trees reach 50-80 feet tall.
Features
Best Uses
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
Love Date Palm? Our landscape team sources from wholesale nurseries and can incorporate it into your design.
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Use this care guide to maintain your Date Palm. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.