I have a young plant in a pot, I don't know what I'm going to do once it gets huge but I'll worry about it when it happens - I'll probably just give it away somewhere or compost it, and start the whole process over with a new one.

Most palms will do well in containers as long as you have the right soil mix, enough room, the right climate (natural or artificial), an effective watering scheme, and periodic repotting.

You can search the forum for more specifics on the above topics.

Date palms are easy to grow as potted indoor plants. I have had Phoenix Canareinsis, Dactylifera, Padalosa, (I killed the spelling on these) And now have a Phoenix Lourelli. They need good drainage, Sun a few hours a day, and watered less in the winter. The Phoenix I have now I planted in the ground last spring, and did not re pot again till this past December. Its doing fine indoors this winter after being subjected to heavy frosts.

All appreciate 'spelling' in the Spring to Autumn outdoors in a semi sunny patio or deck. They do not produce fruit as potted specimens.

ptmcclanahan, OMG they are BEAUTIFUL! I'm so jealous! ;> How long did it take for those to get that big?? WOW! Thanks for sharing that beautiful pic.

dragontek, Thanks for telling me they don't produce fruit in pots, that saves me from disappointment years from now when I don't get any! Of course with global warming, I may be able to plant them outside in about 20 years and maybe get fruit...

Those are probably 15-20 years old I would guess--I cheated and got them that size so I have no idea how long it took.

Paul, sorry to hear about the one on the left. What happened? It just took a turn for the worse??? Mine are dong ok...The one in the garage actually had the center spear pull out! I think it was from the real cold weather we had a couple of weeks ago....It got down below freezing in the garage on three seperate nights ranging from the coldest of 26-27 degrees to obviously 32 for a few minutes. I think that had something to do with it..but i treated it with some copper fungicide and i am thinking it is going to make a comeback! I hope because the cost to run that heater is KILLING me! AS for the one by my cousins house, he says its doing good. I haven't been over there in about a month to check on it, but he says he is watering it for me and the occasional mist. So we will see. How are yours doing in the garage? Heck if those all make it and for some reason mine don't i might be looking to buy one from you come this spring... LOL Oh what ever happened to your robusta in the ground?

The one that died (or at least is probably dead) I think never really stood a chance. Looking back, the new growth was already brown when I got it and it was just a matter of time until the lower fronds browned up too.

The 5 garaged ones are ranging from great to not so great. I think a big problem was that when we got these they weren't the healthiest palms in the bunch and some are struggling a bit to recover. Once the weather warms up and I'm able to move them out to the back patio, I think a recovery is underway.

And the outdoor Robusta (or what used to be an outdoor Robusta)....yeah that thing is toast. It was doing fine until about a month ago when we had the subzero temps and the plastic cover blew off in high winds and so it was exposed to -4F for several hours -- hardly even recognizable anymore. If that thing ever recovers it would be a true miracle...especially since I'm taking no steps to help it. I have it just sitting out in the cold exposed to all the wind, rain, sleet, and snow we've had this week.

Phoenix palms have one problem in our homes. Many eventually develop dangerously sharp leaf projections (P.canariensis for example). Generally, in the house the best one is the one we commonly see sold, Phoenix roebelini (pygmy date palm). It is someso more tolerant of the warm indoor winter conditions we keep in our homes. It too gets somewhat prickly but not as bad as others and develos a nice trunk even when very small. I have a lot of different types of Phoenix and keep them outside or in the garage (overwinter) and they are too massive and dangerous for inside the house. I have two cats and I myself once got poked in the eye with a canariensis. Be warned!

Prickly leaves on Phoenix and Cycads do have some advantages - it teaches a lesson and keeps the little kiddies away when my wife hosts a play date :-)

Mersiepoo
You should be able to grow a true date palm fine in a pot. As with all outdoor palms I would suggest that you move it outdoors for the summer to give it as true a growing season as possible. You will not be able to get it to fruit however. These palms have 18 inch trunks before they seed. There's no way you could keep it potted long enough, it would get too big. Even if you could the inconsistant temps of summer up where we are would not allow it.

Hi AndyAndy! Are you a "Cheers" fan? :>

Yeah, I'd need a pot the size of a kiddle swimming pool and that deep probably. Sheesh.

Well I removed the big dead 9ft trunk of my former pygmy date palm and put a healthier roebie in it's place. I've forgotten how heavy these monsters can be--and how much mud they leave on the carpet during removal/transplant. My girlfriend keeps telling me to not bring huge outdoor trees inside but it's sure worth the mess (and back pain for that matter).

If anyone is interested in a 9ft date palm dead trunk it's free for pick-up!! lol. It could make a killer statement in your home (no pun intended).

Yes if you want ican give you sprouted one call or text 3473204415

I had 4 date palm seeds germinate, the two I have now are doing well

I have grown Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island Date palm) from seed to large plants, but not the true date, (Phoenix dactylifera), I will eventually get around to trying true date again, but from my experience canariensis seemed easier and faster. Neither of these species would seem good for the home though, they need a lot of sun, TONS OF SUN. Besides that, they are dangerously sharp. Pygmy dates are safer indoors, but I realize that growing from seed is part of the fun.

Phoenix canariensis from seed.

beautiful plants! I may have to remodel if mine get that big!

David, these three and other palms go into a detached, two car, loft garage from December 1 to March 1. Definitely, NOT a palm for indoors, too dangerous. I had to saw off the tap root on these as they have a tendency to find cracks in the blacktop and grow into the ground over the course of the growing season. Remember, these guys grow in very arid regions so roots have a tendency to go deep seeking out underground water/aquifers (so deep pots are preferred). Big misconception is that date species from arid regions don't like much water, NOT TRUE. And some date species come out of tropical regions with monsoonal rains. Phoenix is a nice genus of palms but most are not for the house, with the exception of the Pygmy Dates (Phoenix roebellini).