Date palms have been cultivated for thousands of years. The tree’s small, sweet and sugary fruit is an important food source in desert and tropical regions around the globe. This magnificent tree grows well in Miami and is an awe-inspiring landscape element.
The date palm has a broad brownish-gray trunk patterned with diamond-shaped leaf scars. The crown can grow as large as 30 feet wide and is composed of up to 120 long gray-green or blue-green fronds that fall attractively in a bushy, v-shaped display. The flowers bloom on eye-catching inflorescences that emerge among the leaves. Female date palms bear fruit only if planted near a male tree. Dates first appear between five and eight years. The fruit is reddish brown when ripe.
Date palms can grow to 100 feet in height, although most cultivated specimens top out between 40 and 50 feet. This height, along with the girth of the trunk and the span of the crown makes date palms popular in commercial landscaping. They are often seen planted in rows along avenues or in groups as gatekeepers at beachside resorts or housing developments.
Alone or in pairs, this striking tree makes a stunning addition to contemporary home gardens.