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Roebelin Palm Phoenix roebelenii

Phonetic Spelling
FEE-niks roh-bel-EN-ee-eye
Description

Pygmy Date Palm tree is a subtropical spreading palm in the Arecaceae (palm) family.  Outdoors it grows to 6.5 feet high and 5 feet wide. As an indoor plant, it typically reaches 5 to 6 feet tall.

It has fine leaves, an attractive trunk and is suitable for use indoors in cooler climates. The fruits are purple drupes are produced on female plants and are edible. 

Plant in moist well-drained soil and give it protection from the hot afternoon sun since this plant prefers medium to high light. Keep the soil slightly moist during the growing season but do not overwater as it can cause root rot. This plant prefers to be slightly root-bound and doesn't like frequent repotting. It also prefers medium humidity but has pest problems. Keep away from cold drafts in the winter.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Odd pinnately compound leaves
  • Leaflets at base of petiole reduced to fibers
  • Leaflets are long and softly drooping at tips

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Susceptible to scales and leaf spot.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#slow growing#showy leaves#palm#edible fruits#fantz#tropical palm#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#patio
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#slow growing#showy leaves#palm#edible fruits#fantz#tropical palm#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#patio
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Phoenix
    Species:
    roebelenii
    Family:
    Arecaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Asia
    Edibility:
    Drupes are edible.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 5 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    1/2 inch ellipsoidal drupe resembles a thin-skinned date. It is red-brown to dark purple when mature. The fruit is produced on female plants only.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Description:
    Cream-colored male and female flowers are found on separate trees (dioecious) in the spring. Flowers are produced on 1 foot long panicles that are interfoliar and branched once.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The odd pinnately compound leaves are 24-45 inches long with around 100 leaflets. Pinnae is linear lanceolate, gray-green, drooping, and lowermost are reduced to fibrous spines. Each leaflet is 6-10 inches long and 1/2 inch wide and slightly droops from the stem. Spines are present at the leaf bases. They are gray-green in color with hairs on the undersides.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Bark Description:
    Bark gray and rough and is covered with a distinctive peg-like leaf base.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems are clustered, slender at the base, and expanding toward the crown.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Design Feature:
    Small Tree
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought