If you’re a patient and adventurous gardener, why not grow a date palm (Phoenix canariensis) from seed? This slow-growing, evergreen palm is native to the Canary Islands and reaches 40 to 60 feet tall and 20 to 40 feet wide. If you’re not in a tropical climate, it will be more compact if grown as a container plant that can summer outside on a patio and then be brought indoors when temperatures drop.
Whether you are lucky enough to collect date palm seeds yourself or use seeds from ripe grocery store dates, we have all the information you need to germinate the seeds, pot them correctly, and grow a robust palm.
Potting and Caring for Germinated Date Palm Seeds
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After your date palm seeds have germinated and begin to show tiny shoots above the potting soil, keep the soil evenly moist but not overly wet. Place the seedlings in a spot that receives bright sunlight for 6 to 8 hours per day. Wait until the seedling is at least three inches high with at least two sets of leaves before moving it to a larger pot.
- Pick a container. Select a container that is four to six inches in diameter with good drainage holes. Date palms prefer to be slightly rootbound for optimum growth so start with a small container after germination.
- Fill with soil. Fill the container about one-third full with nutrient-rich, loamy soil.
- Remove the germinated seed. Use a large spoon or garden trowel to gently lift the root ball of the germinated palm seed.
- Place the seed in soil. Place the palm in the container and fill it with soil tamping it down lightly to get rid of any air pockets.
- Water. Water the palm well until water drains from the bottom. Do not leave it sitting in a saucer of water.
- Move it to an ideal location. Place the palm in a brightly lit, warm spot (around 75°F) to recover from the shock of transplanting. The palm can be kept inside or outside depending on your hardiness zone and time of year.
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How to Care for a Date Palm
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Give a container or garden-planted date palm six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day.
Young palms should be watered at least weekly to keep the soil moist to encourage growth. Once established, the palm will be more drought-tolerant. Potted palms will require more frequent watering, and drainage is important because standing water can cause root rot.
When planting or potting, use a nutrient-rich, loose, loamy soil. Established date palms in the garden should be fertilized in early spring and again in mid-summer with a slow-release fertilizer that is high in potassium. Follow the label directions for the amount to use based on the size of the tree.
Repot a date palm only when roots are visible through the drainage holes. Spring or early summer are the optimum times to repot because the temperatures are warmer and humidity is higher. Select a new container that is 2 inches wider and deeper. Gently remove the root ball from the container to prevent damaging the roots. Add fresh soil to the new container, place the palm, gently tamp down the soil, and water thoroughly.
Date palms require little pruning except to remove dead or damaged fronds. Once the tree reaches maturity, suckers will grow from the base of the tree and should be removed. Once the tree begins to bear fruit, harvest the ripe dates so new clusters will have room to form.
How to Germinate a Date Seed
- Separate the seed from the flesh of a ripe date.
- Place the seed in cool water and soak for at least 24 hours. Discard the seed if it floats to the top.
- Fill a small container with a seed-starting mix and moisten the soil.
- Press the seed into the soil until it is barely covered with soil.
- Place the container in a warm spot with bright light. Keep the soil moist by placing a glass jar or plastic bag over the container until germination occurs.
- The seed should germinate in about one month, at which point they should be potted.
