The Date palm, also known as the Medjool palm is  not only a beautiful  palm tree for landscaping, but also one of the most desirable palm trees for valuable delicious fruits. The Phoenix Dactylifera  is one of the first plants human began to cultivate. It can produce real edible tasty dates. The palm trees are grown widely commercially throughout the world and especially the Middle East.

The Date palm is used widely as an ornamental  in  parks, resorts, mall entrances and neighborhoods in the Florida Region.

Additional Information:

Scientific name: Phoenix Dactylifera

Family: Arecaceae

Genus: Phoenix

Origin: It is native to Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Growth rate: Slow growing

Trunk: The trunk is covered with ornamental pattern of leaf scars. It can reach a height of 80-100 feet.

Leaves: The pinnate, silver or dark green, shiny, upright leaves are originated from one growing point on the top of the trunk.

Indoor/Outdoor Use: Both

Maintenance: Moderate

Light exposure: The Date palm likes bright light and full sun.

Water requirements: Moderate

Drought toleration: The palm tree is drought tolerant.

Cold toleration: It is cold tolerant. The tree can tolerate light freeze.

Flowers: The stalk of flowers comes from among the leaves. Female and male flowers grow on different trees. Female flowers are cream and yellow, and male flowers are white. The trees produce flowers at early age.

Fruits: The Date palms start producing fruits after 6-8 years old. Dates are green at the beginning, become dark-brown when ripe. The  fruits can be produced in areas where it does not get cold. Dates have high nutritional value. They are important source of food for people in the Middle East, Africa, South America and Asia. Dates are used as secondary products to make syrups, ice-creams, alcohol drinks and vinegars. Seeds are used to make cosmetics and soaps.

Propagation: It is propagated by seeds.

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