As the name suggests, this palm comes from the Canary Islands, where it is no longer commonly found. Since it is very robust and can be easily cultivated in a pot, it is one of the most sought-after potted plants and gives closed rooms and winter gardens a southern flair.
How to care for a Phoenix Canariensis houseplant?
The Phoenix Canariensis as a houseplant prefers a sunny, bright location, low-lime water for watering, commercial palm soil or a self-mixed substrate combination of compost, potting soil and sand. During the growth phase, fertilization should be carried out every 14 days.
Growth habit and leaves:
Like many feather palms, the Canary Island date palm initially has no trunk. This only develops over the years through the dead fronds, which then form the typical tuft. The upper part of the trunk is noticeably fibrous, the lower part of the trunk of older plants is smooth.
The arched leaves at the ends are long, pointed and bright green. The petiole is often thorny. If this is the case with your specimen, you should wear gloves during all care procedures as the spines can cause painful injuries.
Which location does the indoor palm prefer?
This palm feels extremely comfortable in a sunny, bright spot close to a window or in the winter garden. You can cultivate the plant indoors all year round or cultivate it outdoors during the summer months.
Please note that the Canary Island date palm can grow quite large and give it enough space to develop.
Which substrate is suitable?
You can plant the phoenix palm in commercially available palm soil. If you would like to mix the substrate yourself, you should use equal parts of:
- rotted compost
- potting soil
- Sand
pass.
A drainage layer in the planter ensures that excess irrigation water drains away easily. This prevents waterlogging from forming, which could lead to root rot.
How to water and fertilize the indoor palm?
Watering is always done when the substrate feels dry. Use low-lime, stale tap water or rainwater.
During the growth period, you should supply the Canary Island date palm with a commercially available palm fertilizer (€14.00 on Amazon) every 14 days.
Additional care measures
Since the sprawling fronds literally attract dust, you should shower the plant regularly. This also prevents spider mites, which occasionally cause problems for the palm tree due to the dry heating air. Therefore, spray Phoenix Canariensis regularly with low-lime water.
Tip
Palm trees thrive when watered with pond or aquarium water. So it's worth not just throwing the liquid away the next time you change the water, but rather pampering your houseplant with it.
