How to care for a Phoenix Roebelenii | Pygmy Date Palm

Hailing from Southeast Asia, Pygmy Date Palms are one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. Though they are "pygmy" in comparison to other palms, they can grow to over six feet tall!

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  • Infrequent
  • Every 2 years
  • Bright, indirect light
  • Non-toxic
  • Once a month in spring and summer

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  • Pygmy Date Palms originate from Southeast Asia and are among some of the oldest cultivated plants in the world.
  • Like most palms, Pygmy Date Palms are excellent air purifiers!
  • Non-toxic and safe for pets! It does produce spines on its trunk, so be careful
  • Pygmy Date Palms prefer to be kept on the dry and are very sensitive to over watering. Water when the top 50% of the soil is dry. Always make sure any excess water is able to drain freely from the pot and the pot is not sitting in standing water. Water with filtered water as they can be sensitive to the minerals in tap water. Pygmy Date Palms will also benefit from misting to help boost humidity.
  • Pygmy Date Palms prefer bright, indirect light, but can tolerate a variety of lighting conditions. It will grow fastest in bright lighting conditions, but "fast" for a Pygmy Date Palm is still pretty slow.
  • Fertilize once a month during growing season (spring and summer) with fertilizer diluted to 1/2 strength.
  • Like most palms, Pygmy Date Palms benefit from being slightly pot-bound and only need to be repotted every other year.
  • Lower leaves on palms naturally turn yellow and dry out they mature and as new growth emerges from the top of the plant. These can be pruned using clean scissors or pruning shears.
  • Pygmy Date Palms resists most diseases but can be susceptible to Pestalotiopsis palmarum, a fungal disease that causes bud rot and spots on the leaves. It is transmitted via wounds to the plant, so make sure to use clean scissors or pruning shears when pruning.

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