Phoenix canariensis

PlantFile Report Copyright © 2000 - 2025 Peter Kirkland - www.plantfile.com Plant Profile
Plant
ID 422 Phoenix canariensis
Botanic Name Phoenix canariensis
Common Name Canary Island Date Palm
Family Name Arecaceae
Cultivars
Origin Canary Islands, Zone 9-11
Growth Type Palm / Cycad
Bark Type Leaf scars or bases
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Low
No. of Species 18
Growth Habit Standard Growth Rate Medium
Height 15 - 20 m (50 - 67 ft) Spread 5 m (17 ft)
Plant Overview
This large spreading palm has a large solitary trunk with a rough diamond pattern. The dull green fronds grow 6m (20ft) long and form a large rounded crown and the creamy flowers appear in a branched cluster in spring followed by wrinkled orange fruit.
Leaf
Type Compound Additional Information
Shape Imparipinnate
The crown has up to 200 imparipinnate fronds that are ascending at first then hang downwards and are up to 6 m (19 ft) long. They have pointed dull green leaflet that are up to 200 mm (7 ¾ in) long and some become sharp spines towards the base.
Arrangement Rosette
Margin Entire
Colour Dull green
Size 4500 - 6000 mm ( 177.2 - 236.2 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Crateriform
The 6 mm (¼ in) wide creamy yellow crateriform male and female flowers appear on separate trees (dioecious). The large pendant panicle arises from a leaf base and is up to 2 m (6 ft) long, appearing during late spring.
Inflorescence Panicle
Colour White - yellow
Size 4 - 6 mm ( 0.2 - 0.2 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Drupe Additional Information
Colour Orange
The green to orange 20 mm (3/4 in) wide drupes are globose to ovoid and contain wrinkled seeds. They appear in heavy clusters and are dispersed by birds and the crown is a breeding site for Indian Mynas, which are a pest in some countries.
Edible Yes
Bird Attractive Yes
Size 10 - 20 mm ( 0.4 - 0.8 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained sandy to loamy soil, deep and moist, acidic pH 6.0-7.5
Container Large tubs and large pots when young, under glass in cold regions
Climate Warm to sub-tropical
Aspect Full sun-semi shade, open position, drought, salt, frost, wind tolerant
Pest & Diseases Leafscab & blight, fusarium root rot, lethal yellowing red spider mite, scale
Fertiliser Complete fertiliser when young and keep moist
Pruning Remove spent fronds, pruning not normally necessary but be careful of the spines
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Canary Island Date Palm is a large palm that is grown as a lawn specimen in large gardens and parks or used for avenue plantings. It may also be grown in containers when young and establishes in 3 to 6 years and is long lived.
The seeds take 2 to 3 months to germinate and seedling variation is common. Pot up soon after germination into deep pots.
© 2025 PlantFileonline. All Rights Reserved.
Designed and Developed by Tatvasoft Australia