Palm, Canary Island Date   /   Phoenix canariensis

Geographical origins: Canary Islands.

Adult dimensions: Height up to 20 m. The trunk can measure up to 15 m and its leaves can measure as much as 5 m across.

Foliage: Evergreen.

Type of soil: Any well drained soil.

Climate: Adult specimen hardy to - 10°C.

Site: Light shade to full sun.

Growth: Rapid if frequent watering.

Characteristics and uses:
The Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis) is the most widespread palm around the Mediterranean. It has a single slender trunk which can measure up to 60 cm in diameter. In earlier times it was often used for construction purposes. The large scales that cover the trunk are actually the remnants of old leafstalks.
Its leaves are grouped together in a decorative and characteristic crown. The leaves are long, palmate and particularly curved. They used to be dried and used as roofing for houses.

As an outdoors plant the Canary Island Date Palm will provide beautiful flowers as soon as the summer arrives. The flowers are grouped together in big clusters, which on female specimens will be followed by bunches of round orange colored fruits. These fruits are not edible.
This palm is very sculptural and can be grown in a pot as a house plant. This will obviously restrict its growth.

How to look after your Canary Island Date Palm:
Grown outdoors your palm will need very little looking after. If there are very cold spells then the leaves can be protected by lifting them up and tying them together. To encourage quick growth it is important to regularly water your palm during the summer.
Indoors, make sure to put it in a bright room. However pay attention not to put it next to a window that is exposed to the sun for long periods as this may cause burning of its leaves.
As soon as outside temperatures allow you can put your palm outside on the patio. Water it with care especially during the winter. A good guide is to wait until the soil surface is dry before watering. Sprays its leaves regularly especially in the summer.

To read:
Shrubs and trees around a swimming pool By Jean-Michel Groult.

Other palm tree:
Bismarck Palm, Bismarckia Nobilis, grows slowly, this makes it a good candidate for a pot plant...
Dwarf fan Palm, its slow growth encourages shoots, and allows the formation of numerous new stems.
Skyduster Palm, Its leaves are very high up in the form of a crown and are palmate and a bright green color...
Windmill Palm, Beautiful creamy perfumed flowers in May and June produce violet brown drupes...

Other indoor plants:
Aloe Vera, enjoy the air cleansing properties of the Aloe Vera and show your children how to extract its juice...
Arabian Jasmine, this Jasmine is the one most used indoors for the bewitching perfume given off by its flowers.
Areca, its long leaves that part from its base add an unbelievable touch of greenery and freshness.
Baobab, bring a touch of Africa into your lounge.
Dracaena marginata, has long slender leaves that grow in clumps at the end of the stems.
Dracaena massangeana, has long slender leaves that grow in clumps at the end of the stems.
Dwarf fan Palm, its slow growth encourages shoots, and allows the formation of numerous new stems.
Ficus 'Golden King', its beautiful green foliage edged with a creamy white will light up the room.
Ficus Tree - 70/80 cm
Ficus Tree, Braided - 130/150 cm
Madagascar Jasmine, it produces many highly perfumed white flowers from the spring right through to the autumn.
Nephrolepis Boston, its beautiful leaves are reminiscent of feathers.
Sago palms, planted in a pot in a light and well ventilated room, it will compliment perfectly your indoor living space.
Sansevieria Laurentii, is valued for its easy maintenance and long life.
Schefflera Dalton, its shiny dense foliage adds a magnificent touch of greenery to your interior.
Skyduster Palm, Its leaves are very high up in the form of a crown and are palmate and a bright green color...
Yucca with 3 Trunks - 80 cm
Yucca with 4 Trunks - 170 cm