Dwarf Debino/Dates Seedlings

This easy-care palm is a dwarf plant reaching several feet tall after several years. Give it some space, though. Although slow-growing, this indoor palm will eventually spread to about 4 ft wide.

Its long, arching fronds feature slender, delicate-looking leaflets. Unlike other date palms, this one has soft leaflets giving it a feathery, elegant look.

Dwarf Debino/Dates Seedling Care Tips

Light: Bright indirect light. Strong morning light from an East-facing window will give your palm the light it needs. Give the plant a quarter turn every week to expose all sides to sunlight.

Water: This Date Palm doesn’t require a lot of attention, but be careful not to overwater it. Poor drainage and soggy soil can cause root rot. It is best to use a pot with a drainage hole. Water thoroughly to be sure that all the roots are moistened, allowing excess water to drain out of the pot. Aim to keep soil moist spring through summer and barely moist in fall and winter.

Humidity: This tropical native likes high humidity. Indoor air can become extremely dry without our noticing it. I use a humidity monitor near my tropical plants, rather than guess. When the relative humidity drops below 50%, stand the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool-mist room humidifier.

Temperature: Average to warm 65-85°F/18-29°C year-round. It will tolerate a minimum of 55°F/13°C in the cold season.

Soil: Use a potting mix that drains well. I recommend adding perlite or sand to a standard potting mix.

Fertilizer: Feed once in spring and again in summer with a time-release fertilizer. Rose fertilizer works well because it provides the micronutrients this palm needs. A shortage of magnesium will cause yellow spots on the leaflets.

Propagation: Cut off the suckers that grow at the base of the plant. Be sure to include the roots with it, and pot them in separate containers. Plants can be grown from seeds, but you’ll wait years for the plant to grow into a tree.