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.
AMWUA Notes
Not listed in the 2024 AMWUA guide, but a long-proven low-desert oasis palm that is well adapted to Phoenix heat and alkaline soils and moderate in water use once established.
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.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Adaptable to sandy, loamy, or clay soils; tolerates saline and alkaline low-desert ground.
Needs well-drained soil.
Moderate feeder.
Propagated from basal offshoots (pups) to stay true to the parent; seed germinates but yields variable, lower-quality fruit.
20-30 ft
Deep, fibrous, non-invasive root system that is safe near hardscape; site well clear of overhead lines and structures.
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.
Date Palm — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Date Palm need in Phoenix?
Date Palm is a moderate-water palm once established. Water deeply once a week in summer for established palms. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Not listed in the 2024 AMWUA guide, but a long-proven low-desert oasis palm that is well adapted to Phoenix heat and alkaline soils and moderate in water use once established.
How big does Date Palm get?
Expect roughly 50-80 ft tall and 20-40 ft wide at maturity, with a slow growth rate. Allow about 20-30 ft of spacing when planting. Deep, fibrous, non-invasive root system that is safe near hardscape; site well clear of overhead lines and structures.
Can you plant Date Palm near a pool?
Yes. Date Palm is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated moderate.
Can Date Palm handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Date Palm is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Well-suited to Phoenix Zone 9b-10a. Tolerates summer heat well and handles brief freezes to 20°F without damage. Dates ripen in fall. If fruit production is unwanted, remove flower stalks in spring. Frond growth is most active May through September.
Does Date Palm have thorns?
Yes — Date Palm has medium thorns. Site it back from walkways, seating and pool decks where people brush past.
Is Date Palm safe around pets?
Date Palm is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
How much maintenance does Date Palm need?
Date Palm is moderate-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated moderate. Remove dead fronds annually in late spring. Never over-prune — the "hurricane cut" weakens palms. Leave at least a full crown of green fronds.
What kind of soil does Date Palm need?
Adaptable to sandy, loamy, or clay soils; tolerates saline and alkaline low-desert ground. Nutrient needs are moderate. Apply a slow-release palm fertilizer (with manganese and magnesium) in March and September.
Is Date Palm native to Arizona?
No. Date Palm is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Middle East, North Africa, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.