Adult Canary Island palm tree crown

Credit: S. Rae

A Canary palm plantation

Credit: Cayambe

Canary palm fruit

Credit: Jesus Cabrera

Canary palm tree crown seen from below

Credit: Laura Hale

Phoenix canariensis, the palm tree par excellence

Emblematic of its native Canary Islands, Phoenix canariensis has conquered the world. Its geometric, graphic silhouette can be seen everywhere, from the Promenade des Anglais to the avenues of Beverly Hills. In the collective imagination, it has become synonymous with sun, beach and vacations.

How to recognize the Canary palm, Phoenix canariensis?

Phoenix canariensis is an arborescent evergreen palm. Its stipe is solitary, like that of triangle Palm. In the open ground and in the right climate, the false trunk can reach 20 metres in height and 60 centimetres in diameter. It is brown or grey in color, with the old petioles at its base. Young trees, whose stipe is completely covered, then look like pineapples.

The crown of palms can span up to eight meters. It is made up of more than a hundred green, pinnate leaves. The tough, lanceolate pinnae are irregularly arranged on the rachis.

Phoenix canariensis flowers between June and August. Creamy-white or yellow flowers bloom in panicles on both male and female specimens.

Only female specimens produce cylindrical, orange-brown fruits. They contain a ridged seed measuring one to two centimetres.

Although edible, their flesh is thin and almost tasteless. Phoenix dactylifera 's fruits are best tasted!

Our maintenance tips

Canary palms are easy to grow. To avoid killing them, you need to remember two things:

1. Palms need light. Be careful, however, not to expose it to full southern exposure: too much sun will burn its foliage.

2. Indoor palms like humidity, but hate excess water. Over-watering can rot the roots.

Watering

Canary palms thrive in a substrate that remains moist. Water when the soil is three centimeters dry. Pour in non-calcareous water, such as rainwater, at room temperature.

Drain any water that collects in the dish or planter. It will rot the roots.

Spray

Fogging helps to increase humidity and prevent pest invasion. Spray the foliage with fresh water, such as rainwater. Avoid tap water. Too hard, it leaves white marks on the leaves.

Repotting

Every spring, repot your Phoenix canariensis to give it more space.

Obtain a pot two to five centimetres larger than the previous one. It must be pierced to allow excess water to drain out.

Pour a bed of gravel or clay balls in the bottom to optimize drainage, followed by a layer of potting soil for green plants or Mediterranean plants. Plant the palm in the center and add substrate. Press down to remove air bubbles.

Fertilization

To promote the growth of your Phoenix canariensis, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.

Give your Canary palm a green plant fertilizer to support its growth.

Follow the instructions on the product! If you overdose, you could damage its foliage.

Cleaning

When the foliage of your Canary palm is covered with dust, the photosynthesis process is slowed down. To allow the plant to take full advantage of the light, gently wipe the leaves with a clean, damp cloth.

To avoid damaging the largest limbs, support them with one hand while you wash them with the other.

Prune

You can remove dead palms, i.e. Those that are dry and yellowed. To do this, use pruning shears and cut at the base of the leaf.

Plantation

When the risk of frost has passed, it's time to plant.

Soak the rootball while working the soil. Choose a sunny spot sheltered from the wind.

Dig a hole 50 cm deep and 60 cm wide. Place gravel, pebbles or pozzolan at the bottom for drainage. Pour in a layer of substrate, made up of garden soil, universal potting soil and sand. Plant your Canary palm in the center, making sure that the rootball is level with the soil. If necessary, loosen the root ball.

Fill in the soil with a mixture of potting soil and garden soil and water for the first time. You can mulch the base with bark, pozzolan or gravel to retain moisture.

Seedling

Soak seeds in warm water for 48 hours.

Prepare a mixture composed of :

one-third potting soil for green plants ;
one third heather soil ;
one third perlite.

Fill a terrine or 1-liter pierced pots with this mixture. Sow the seeds, covering them with a centimetre of potting soil. Water the substrate regularly to keep it moist, and place your seedlings in a well-lit room with a temperature of at least 20 degrees. After a month, the seeds will germinate.

Diseases / Threats

Information

Family	Arecaceae - Arecaceae
Type	Phoenix - Phoenix
Species	Canary Palm - Phoenix canariensis
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposures	Sun Half-shade Shade
Substrats	Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting methods	Open ground In pots In tubs
Category	Herbaceous
Tag	Large pot
Origin	Southern Europe
Hardiness (USDA)	8b
Leaf color
Flower colors
Fruit color