Stemless Date Palm Phoenix acaulis

The stemless date short-statured palm from northern India, Bangladesh and the Himalayan regions. It is a tropical, evergreen perennial in the palm family (Arecaceae). Phoenix is the genus of the date palms. The meaning of the generic name is much-debated but likely honors Phoenicia, an ancient civilization from the eastern Mediterranean, where date palms were widely cultivated. The species epithet is Latin for “without a stem,” which is a bit of a misnomer. The stem is present but below ground and out of sight on all but the oldest individuals.

The stemless date palm needs partial sun as a juvenile, but once mature and established, it tolerates full sun. The palm is reasonably cold hardy and can survive brief exposure to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. During the growing season, it responds well to regular irrigation and fertilizer (a formula developed specifically for palms is best) but tolerates periodic droughts. It cannot tolerate waterlogged roots, so provide free-draining soil. This palm could be grown as a houseplant when young, if adequate light is available. 

Thi stemless date palm has a below-ground stem that produces a few short, stiff, pinnate leaves. Like all date palms, the lower leaflets are transformed into sharp spines. Take care when handling this palm, as date palm spine injuries are often deep and prone to infection. Use caution when pulling weeds or applying mulch around these plants. Like all date palms, the stemless date palm is dioecious, meaning the male and female flowers are on separate plants. If you have both male and female, the palm might produce fruits, which are edible (although the edible flesh is scant). 

This palm deserves to be more widely trialed in coastal NC, on sandy or otherwise well drained sites. It would make an interesting addition to a rock garden, winter garden, or border. Multiple individuals could be grown in a mass planting.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Monitor for mealy bugs, scale, and spider mites when grown indoors.