Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island Date Palm ) Care Indoors, Propagation & Common Problems
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Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island Date Palm ) requires bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions, and moderately moist, rich, well drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
This guide provides everything you need to grow a healthy and visually striking Canary Island Date Palm indoors. From understanding its light, watering, soil, and temperature requirements to learning how to propagate it from seeds, this resource is designed for both beginners and experienced plant lovers.
Let's first look at some facts about this palm. Phoenix canariensis also called Pineapple Palm is among the popular palms and bears pinnate leaves with numerous leaflets on a stiff and straight rachis.
On account of its tolerance to wide range of soil and light conditions and ability to adapt to drought conditions, Pineapple Palm is among the best plants with low water needs.
Botanical name: Phoenix canariensis
Family: Arecaceae
Common names: Canary Island Date Palm, Canary Island Date Palm Tree, Pineapple Palm
Origin
Phoenix canariensis is native to the Canary Islands off the coast of Northwestern Africa where it can grow to a height of 66 feet, ocassionally growing to 130 feet. It is the natural symbol of the Canary Islands.
Size
Canary Island Date Palm is a slow-grower and is exclusively propagated by seed. It grows to a height of only 6 feet when grown indoors. The leaves are 2-4 feet long and the leaflets are about 6-10 inches long, narrow, straight and stiff. On account of its size and tolerance to low light conditions, Phoenix canariensis is one of the low-light, tree-like plants for dark spaces in the home, office and other places.
Fruit
Canary Island Date Palm fruit is an oval, yellow to orange, edible 2 cm drupe with a large seed. It resembles a small, thin-fleshed date.
Is Phoenix canariensis toxic?
The foliage in Phoenix canariensis is non-toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA.
However, it bears sharp spines at the base of the frond which are extremely sharp and toxic. They often snap off once they penetrate the skin and may cause pain and swelling in the affected part of the body. Always wear leather gloves, eye protection and thick clothing when handling this palm.
Related Plants
Canary Island Date Palm is closely related to Phoenix roebelenii (Pygmy Date Palm) and Phoenix dactylifera, the true date palm.
Where to Buy
Are you looking to acquire these Pineapple Palms for your plant collection? You may acquire them from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Phoenix canariensis Care Indoors
Caring for Canary Island Date Palm indoors entails giving it bright indirect light (filtered light), warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 55-65% and moderately moist, fertile, well drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Phoenix canariensis care requires repotting every 2-3 years only when pot-bound. Regular pruning is necessary to keep it neat and tidy as well as minimize pest and disease infestations. Keep reading for more on these conditions and how to provide them..
Light Requirements
Does a Phoenix canariensis like sun or shade?
Phoenix canariensis grows best in bright indirect light; position it infront of a bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunlight or use a sheer curtain to filter the sunrays to avoid scorching the fronds.
Phoenix canariensis can tolerate some light shade but it will grow much slower. In deep shade the plant will stop growing. Therefore, if the natural lighting is not enough, use full spectrum grow lights to increase it.
Turn the pot regularly to ensure that the palm receives light on all sides for uniform growth as well as prevent lopsided growth.
Watering
How often should I water Phoenix canariensis?
Do not water on a shedule. Water your Phoenix canariensis thoroughly in spring and summer until water runs through the drainage hole. Allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist. Avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, drooping and yellowing.
Lessen watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is slowed at this time. However, do not allow the soil to dry out completely to prevent wilting, drooping and yellowing.
Use chlorine-free water like rainwater or filtered water. Like all palms, the palm is sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water. Ensure that the water is at room temperature to avoid shocking this tropical plant which can result in stunted growth.
Avoid getting the base of the palm wet to prevent rotting. Do not allow the palm to sit in soggy soil as it may lead to root-rot and eventual death of the palm. Therefore, use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil. Always discard excess water from the catch plate.
Temperature & Humidity
Canary Island Date Palm thrives in a warmth of 15-260C; if the temperature is comfortable for you it is ideal for this palm.
Keep the palm away from sources of drafts to avoid sudden changes in temperatures as they can result in stunted growth, yellowing, drooping and brown leaf tips.
Phoenix canariensis has no need for extra high humidity; a humidity of 55-65% is ideal for this palm. However, too low humidity may lead to brown leaf tips. Therefore, where the air is too dry, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity. Make sure that there is good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
How to feed Canary Island Date Palm?
Feed Canary Island Date Palm monthly with a balanced, liquid fertilizer during the growing period to encourage a lush growth. Stop feeding in the cold season to prevent fertilizer burn as growth is minimal at this time.
To prevent salts build up which is indicated by leaf burn and brown spots, regularly flush the soil. Run a stream of water through the soil until water comes out through the drainage hole. Allow the stream of water to run for some time and repeat the process several times.
Potting Soil
What is the best soil for a Canary Island Date Palm?
The best soil for Phoenix canariensis should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. A blend of 2 parts of all purpose potting mix and 1 part perlite is perfect for this palm.
Repotting
Repot Canary Island Date Palm every 2-3 years at the beginning of the growing season when pot-bound. Use a pot 1-2 sizes larger than the current one. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to avoid root-rot. Check out these ceramic pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning & Maintenance
How to prune Canary Island Date Palm?
Pruning Canary Island Date Palm is easy. Cut away the old brown and dry fronds near the soil surface to maintain the palm tidy. Cut off only old brown and dry fronds. Any frond with green continues to provide food (nutrients) to the palm.
Where the seeds are required for propagation, allow the fruits to mature and drop then cut away the spent flower stalk. If the seeds are not required, cut away the flower stalk immediately to prevent it from wasting energy on developing the flowers and seeds.
Occasionally clean the mature leaves by spraying with a strong jet of running water to get rid of dust as well as discourage pest infestations.
Phoenix canariensis Propagation
Phoenix canariensis propagation is done exclusively from seeds. Seed germination can take up to 4-6 months and requires keeping the soil moist through out the period.
Canary Island Date Palm propagation from seeds
Seed germination is difficult and may take up to 3-4 months. It also requires that the soil be kept moist through out the period.
- Fill the rooting container with loose, well-drained potting mix and slightly moisten the soil.
- Sow the seeds in the moist soil and cover the seeds slightly with soil. Do not bury them too deep to hasten germination.
- Cover the set up with polythene cover to create a greenhouse effect and place in a well-lit, warm place; 300C. Warmth and humidity are important for germination.
- Keep the soil moist through out the period until germination of the seeds takes place. Germination may take upto 3-4 weeks.
- Lower the temperature slightly after germination and maintain the soil moist until the new palms are well established after which you can begin routine care.
Phoenix canariensis Problems & Solutions
Canary Island Date Palm problems are yellow leaves, brown leaf tips, brown leaf spots, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their remedies.
Yellow leaves
Yellow leaves on Canary Island Date Palm are caused by too little light, nutrients deficiency, salts buildup, inconsistent watering, soggy soil or aging.
How to fix it
Too little light: Position the palm in bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed the palm with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer. Do not feed in fall and winter.
Salts buildup: Occasionally, flush out accumulated salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water the palm when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out.
Soggy soil: Use a fast-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.
Aging: Naturally, the older leaves turn yellow, brown and eventually drop as the plant matures.
Brown leaf tips
Brown leaf tips on Canary Island Date Palm are caused by dry air, underwatering, drafts or bruising.
How to fix it
Trim off the brown tips with sterilized scissors to keep the palm neat and tidy.
Dry air: To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together.
Under watering: Water the palm when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Drafts: Keep the palm away from sources of drafts like windy doors, drafty windows, AC units, heat sources, hot air vents among others.
Bruising: Place the palm away from the line of traffic to prevent bruising.
Brown leaf spots
Brown leaf spots on Canary Island Date Palm are caused by inconsistent watering, soggy soil or cold drafts.
How to fix it
Remove and discard the affected leaves to keep the plant neat.
Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and free-draining soil.
Cold drafts: Keep the palm away from sources of cold drafts like drafty windows, open doors to maintain a warmth of 15-260C.
Pests
Canary Island Date Palm is rarely attacked by pests. However, spider mites, scales and mealybugs may attack the weak plants especially in dry air conditions.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants.
- Treat it with neem oil or an insecticidal soap as recommended by the manufacturers.
- Regularly check underneath the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
- Keep the plant well pruned to discourage the pests.
- To step-up humidity, use a cool mist humidifier, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together.
Diseases
Canary Island Date Palm is prone to root-rot disease which is promoted by soggy soil. It presents as general yellowing and browning of the leaves accompanied by rotting and followed by plant collapse.
How to fix it
- Slip the plant out of its pot, wash off the soil and inspect the roots.
- Brown-black, mushy roots indicate root-rot; cut them away. In addition, cut away any stems showing any signs of rot.
- Treat the healthy roots and the entire plant with a copper-based fungicidal solution as instructed by the manufacturer.
- Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh potting soil.
- Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging.
- Water the plant with the fungicidal solution and place it in a warm, brightly-lit spot.
- Withhold watering until new growth appears and avoid overwatering and soggy soil thereafter.
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