How to Care for an Indoor Dwarf Date Palm Tree

by Shelley Marie Google

    Indoor dwarf date palm trees, also called pygmy date palm trees (Phoenix roebelenii) can grow between 6 and 12 feet tall, with leaves that can reach 12 inches long. They produce red fruits that turn black when fully ripe, but they aren't typically eaten. These attractive indoor palm plants prefer moist, fertile and well-draining soil, as well as indirect sunlight. Dwarf date palm trees don't require pruning, and need little care or maintenance. Dwarf date palm trees grow outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11.


    Set the plant in an east-facing window that receives morning sun. Pygmy date palms require bright, indirect sun. Temperatures should remain between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and around 60 F at night. In winter, temperatures between 55 and 60 F are ideal.


    Water dwarf date palms deeply just until water drips through the bottom of the pot. The soil should remain moist at all times, but not soaking wet. Don't let the plant sit in water because it can lead to root rot.


    Fertilize dwarf date palm trees with a balanced, complete fertilizer, such as 12-12-12 slow-release granulated fertilizer. In the early spring, at the beginning of the growing season, add 1 1/2 tablespoons to the pot. Check the label to make sure, as different formulas may require different quantities.


    Rinse the foliage in the shower with a stream of lukewarm water occasionally to remove dust, excess fertilizer salts or pests, such as aphids. Placing the plant outside on a warm, rainy day is another option. Allow the excess water to drain from the pot before returning the palm to its spot.


    Repot pygmy date palms every two to three years when they become overgrown or the roots fill up the pot. Do this in late spring or early summer. Select a pot that's 2 or 3 inches larger in diameter than the previous one and make sure it has drainage holes. Use a well-draining standard potting soil mix amended with equal parts loam or compost.

    Things You Will Need

    • 12-12-12 granulated slow-release fertilizer
    • Pot
    • Standard potting mix
    • Loam
    • Compost

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