Canary Island Date Palm

Description

A MAJESTIC ADDITION TO YOUR LANDSCAPING WILL THRIVE IN A VARIETY OF SETTINGS

The Canary Island Date Palm, or Pineapple Palm, is found across subtropical climates. Typically ranging in height from 30 to 60 ft., it is a stately, proud addiction to landscaping. It’s quite hardy, and tolerant of a wide range of conditions – everything from drought to flooding. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, but it can also tolerate deep shade.

The Pineapple Palm’s wide brown trunk is beautifully accented by its pineapple cut crowns and deep green, exotic looking fronds. This palm will be the focal point of your walkway, pool, driveway or elsewhere in your garden.

The Canary Island Date Palm, also known as the Phoenix Canariensis, is one of the most common ornamental palms. It was first introduced to Europe in the 1600s and to other areas such as North Africa and West Asia in the 1700s. It was first found in the coastal and urban areas. It is a very hardy plant and a top option for all those who are looking for an indoor plant. 

Caring for your Canary Island Date Palm

Despite being a hardy plant, you need to be very careful when growing it. The Canary Island Date Palm can withstand both low and high temperatures, but you should still expose them to more moderate temperatures. 

Light

The Pineapple Palm requires bright and direct sunlight. However, if you cannot put it indirect light, the plant can also thrive in partial shade. The best way to give it light is to first give it the bright morning sun and then the shade of the evening light. The midday sunlight can be very harsh on the plant. 

Soil

Soil with good drainage and nutrient-rich compost is the best choice. If you go for very heavy soil, then that will absorb a lot of moisture, and that will not be too good for the plant. 

You can go for a standard mix of soil. To make it lighter, you can add organic material or additives such as coarse grit or perlite. 

Water

It is important for you to keep a check on the moisture levels for the Canary Islands Date Palm. It needs to be moist but not wet. Check the soil regularly, and as soon as its starts to completely dry out, you can add a little water. However, do not overwater the plant as that can rot the soil. 

Moreover, you need to water your plant according to the season. If it’s summer, you can water the plant regularly but reduce the frequency of watering in the winter. 

Fertilizer

Your Phoenix Canariensis does not need a lot of feeding. It can survive off of the soil. However, in the growing season, you can feed it half strength of the plant feed for optimal growth. You need to be very smart with the feeding and make sure that you choose the best timing. If you add too much and much later in the season, then you might disrupt the growth of your plants. 

Common Issues

The Phoenix Canariensis is very tolerant of drought and salt. You do not have to worry about these conditions; however, there are some things that can have adverse effects on your plant. 

Pests

Spider mites and Mealybugs are two of the biggest threats to the Canary Island Date Palm. Other than that, you may also find some scale, aphids, and whitefly. You can use organic treatment to get rid of these pests. It is best to lean towards natural pesticides over commercial ones such as neem oil mixture. 

Disease

There are no particular diseases affecting the Canary Islands Date Palm. However, you can experience that some of your plant’s lower leave are falling off. This is not something concerning, and the trees will grow back on their own. 

Pruning 

You do not need to prune the Canary Island, Date Palm. Trim the edges if you want to give it some shape, but there is no evident need to prune the palm tree. 

Propagation

You can use seeds to propagate the plant. Plant them in nutrient-rich soil, and that can help them grow. 

Potting / Repotting

These plants are slow-growing, which means that you don’t have to report them frequently. It is best to leave them in the plot and only change it when they have completely outgrown it. However, when repotting it, make sure to use a larger pot. 

Be sure to add an extra layer of compost to the base of the pot for optimal growth. For the roots to establish, add plenty of water.