Common
name: "Pygmy Date Palm"
Latin name: Phoenix roebelenii
Native
to: Assam to Vietnam
Growth habit: When young the palm is a bushy. As it
ages it will develop tree like trunks. Mature plants can grow up
to 20 feet plus in height.
Flowers: Yes, but unsightly.
Temps: Normal indoor temps
Humidity: Not critical. Pests: Watch for spider mites
Lighting:
Pictured
Houseplant:
14" Pygmy Date Palm
Houseplant
Cultural
information: "Pigmy Date Palms" are a one of
the few palms that can tolerate strong hot sunshine. In fact you
can use them outdoors during the summer in full sun. Outdoors they
may need watered 4 to 5 times per week. Indoors check for watering
weekly... allowing the top couple of inches of soil to dry to the
touch. If you're getting brown tips the plant is either getting to
much water or to little water. Remove the plant from the pot and
check the roots. Healthy roots should be dirty white to tan and
firm. If this is the case... the cause of yellow tips is under
watering. If the roots are dark brown to black and soft... you've
over watered.
Feed monthly while the plant is growing. During the course of
the winter only
feed the plant 2 or 3 times. Propagation is by seed or by dividing
offsets from the plant. Phoenix roebelenii is available in 6" pots thru
very large specimen trees.
