Phoenix dactylifera
Family: Arecaceae

Generally thought to be a native of the Arabian Peninsula and northern Africa, the date palm is one of the oldest cultivated plants, and has been grown for commercial purposes since about 4000 BC. Some of the countries border­ing the Mediterranean have established an export market for dates and date palm products worldwide, and palm groves have been estab­lished in California and Mexico. The date palm has many uses. The annual edible fruit has been a staple food in many desert and tropical regions since ancient times, a fermented drink and sugar are produced from the sap, and the seeds are roasted and used as a substitute for coffee, or pressed for the oil they yield. The trunk is used for building and the fronds for thatching roofs. The date palm is also grown as an ornamental. It is an evergreen, dioecious tree, reaching heights of 30 m (100 ft) and pro­ducing annual, large clusters of reddish brown or yellowish green fruit, of cylindrical or oblong shape. The fruit is 2-8 cm (¾-3 in) long and the clusters can weigh as much as 90 kg (200 lb).

Cultivation

In cool and cold climates, the date palm is grown as a small, potted, ornamental foliage plant in a warm greenhouse or conser­vatory, or as a house plant. Best in soil-based potting compost, with maximum light but shade from direct sun. Propagate from seed ger­minated in a temperature of 24°C (75°F). The following information is for outdoor cultivation in suitable climates. The date palm can be grown in a variety of climates, but to achieve fruit production it needs a free-draining sandy loam, high temperatures night and day and suf­ficient water. Humidity at ripening time or rain at blossom time may ruin the crop. Propagate from suckers found near the base of the plant. When the roots have struck, plant out cuttings about 9 m (30 ft) apart in early spring. Keep moist while the root system is being estab­lished. Trees grown from suckers should begin to bear fruit in five to six years; once they blos­som, fruit will set in about seven months. One male plant is able to pollinate about 25 females but this is not without difficulty, and sometimes pollination by hand will be required. If the dates ripen unevenly, it may be necessary to pick them every few days.

Climate

Warmest parts of zone 9, and zone 10.