Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii) Indoor Care, Propagation, Problems and Remedies
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Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii) flourishes in bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, rich, well drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing period.
Phoenix roebelenii also called Dwarf Date Palm is among the popular palms on account of its beautiful foliage and tolerance to drought and shade conditions.
The leaves in Pygmy Date Palm are 2-4 feet long, pinnate, with around 100 leaflets arranged in a single plane. The leaflets are about 6-10 inches long and very narrow, slightly drooping and grey-green in color. The fronds develop off a stately central trunk.
Botanical name: Phoenix roebelenii
Family: Arecaceae
Common names: Pygmy Date Palm, Dwarf Date Palm
Origin
Phoenix roebelenii is native to the dense tropical forests of Africa and Southeastern Asia from Southwestern China, Northern Laos and Northern Vietnam.
The Latin name roebelenii honors the orchid collector Carl Roebelen (1855-1927).
Size
Pygmy Date Palm is a small-sized, slow-growing, slender tree which grows to a height of 3-5 feet and about the same width. These characteristics place this palm among the best plants for limited spaces in the home and office.
Flower
Dwarf Date Palm flowers are small, yellowish, produced on a 18 inches inflorescence. The fruit is an edible 1 cm drupe which resembles a small, thin-fleshed date.
Air Cleaning
According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Phoenix roebelenii was found to be a good indoor air cleaner and gets rid of like xylene, toulene and formaldehyde from indoor air.
Toxicity
The foliage of Phoenix roebelenii 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
Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii) is closely related to Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island Date Palm) which grows to a height of 6 feet.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to add Pygmy Date Palms to your collection, you may acquire them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Phoenix roebelenii Care Indoors
Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii) prospers in bright indirect light (filtered light), average warmth of 16-280C, humidity of 50-60% and moderately moist, fertile, well drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing period.
Phoenix roebelenii requires repotting every 2-3 years only when it becomes 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
Pygmy Date Palm grows best in bright indirect light. Keep it from hot direct sunlight to avoid scorching the fronds.
It can tolerate some light shade. However, where the light is too little leading to slow growth, consider instaling a grow light to supplement it. Check out these full spectrum grow lights available on Amazon.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the Dwarf Date Palm receives light on all sides for uniform growth.
Watering
Water Pygmy Date Palm thoroughly until water runs through the drainage hole and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.
Cut down on watering in the cold season as growth is minimal but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Use chlorine-free water to water the palm; like all palms, Dwarf Date Palm, is sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water.
Do not allow the palm to sit in soggy soil as it may result in root-rot and loss of the palm. Always make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy.
Temperature and Humidity
Pygmy Date Palm requires an average warmth of 16-280C to thrive. If the temperature is comfortable for you it is ideal for the Palm. Keep it away from cold drafts from windy doors and windows to avoid sudden drops in temperatures as they may cause reduced growth and brown leaf tips.
Pygmy Date Palm does not require a very humid environment to thrive. Moderate humidity of 50-60% is ideal for this Palm. However, where the temperatures are very high causing too low humidity, they may lead to brown leaf tips. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.
Clean the leaves regularly with a gentle spray of water from a hose or spray bottle to get rid of dust as well as discourage pest infestations.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Phoenix roebelenii should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. All purpose potting mixes are ideal for this palm.
Fertilizer
Feed Pygmy Date Palm monthly with a balanced, liquid fertilizer during the growing period but do not feed in the cold season as growth is reduced at this time.
To avoid fertilizer 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.
Repotting
Repot Pygmy Date Palm every 2-3 years at the beginning of the growing season when the palm has become 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 as it can lead to root-rot. Take a look at these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Pygmy Date Palm is easy. Cut away the old brown and dry fronds near the soil surface to maintain the plant neat as well as minimize pest and disease infestations. Cut off only old brown and dry fronds. Any frond with green continues to provide food (nutrients) to the palm.
If the seeds are required for propagation, allow the fruits to mature and drop then cut away the spent flower stalk. Where the seeds are not required, cut away the flower stalk immediately to prevent the palm from wasting energy on developing the flowers and seeds.
Propagation
Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii) propagation is done exclusively from seeds. Seed germination can take up to 3 months and requires keeping the soil moist through out the period.
How to propagate Pygmy Date Palm 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, free-draining 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 shaded, warm place at about 300C. Warmth and humidity are important for germination.
Keep the soil moist through out the period until germination of the seeds has taken place. Germination may take upto 3-4 weeks.
Lower the temperature slightly after germination and maintain the soil moist until the new Dwarf Date Palms are well established after which you can begin routine care.
Phoenix roebelenii Problems
Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii) growing problems are brown leaf tips, yellow leaves, brown leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more details on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Pests
Phoenix roebelenii is rarely attacked by pests. However, pests like mealy bugs, spider mites and scales may attack the weak plants. Regularly check underneath the leaves for these pests. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat it for these pests. Learn more on how to identify and treat pests in houseplants.
Brown leaves
The lower leaves of Pygmy Date Palm may turn brown and droop due to age; remove by cutting and not pulling to avoid unnecessary injuries. If the browning of the leaves is general and accompanied by rotting, the reason is root-rot which is promoted by soggy soil.
Ensure that the soil is free-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Reduce watering during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Brown leaf tips
Pygmy Date Palm brown leaf tips are caused by four possible reasons. Trim off the brown tips with sterilized scissors to prevent transmission of diseases. One reason is dry air (low humidity). To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Learn more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
The second reason for brown leaf tips in Phoenix roebelenii is underwatering. Water the palm liberally and keep the soil moderately moist at all times during the growing season. Reduce watering during the cold season and keep the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
The third reason for brown leaf tips in Pygmy Date Palm is cold drafts. Keep the palm away from cold drafts from windy doors, drafty windows and air conditioning units to maintain an average warmth of 16-280C. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
The fourth reason for brown leaf tips Pygmy in Date Palm is damage by touching. Place the palm away from the line of traffic to avoid brusing.
Yellowing leaves
Pygmy Date Palm yellowing leaves are due to two possible reasons. One possible reason for yellowing leaves is watering issues; either underwatering or overwatering. Water the palm liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out to keep the soil moderately moist through out.
Decrease watering in the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal but never allow the soil to dry out completely. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil drains freely to avoid getting soggy soil. Learn more on how to water houseplants correctly.
The second reason for yellowing leaves in Dwarf Date Palm is overfeeding. Feed the palm with a balanced, liquid fertilizer> monthly during the growing period. Stop feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time. Learn how to feed houseplants.
Brown leaf spots
Pygmy Date Palm brown leaf spots are due to two possible causes. Remove the affected leaves and discard. One cause is overwatering. Water the palm liberally and keep the soil moderately moist at all times during the growing season.
Lessen watering during the cold season but never allow the soil to dry out completely. Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to avoid getting soggy soil.
The second causes of Pygmy Date Palm brown leaf spots is sudden decrease of temperature due to cold drafts. Keep the palm away from drafts to maintain an average warmth of 16-280C.
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