Date palm

Phoenix dactylifera

Layer 1 · Canopy
Edible companion

Status by region

No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.

Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).

Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.

About

Native to North Africa and the Middle East, the date palm is an imposing palm tree emblematic of oases. It produces very sweet dates and creates a beneficial shady microclimate for lower layers in the food forest.

It is harvested now — September is one of the harvest months.

See the guild for a date palm on your land

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Needs

Water: Medium
Light: Full sun
Size: Palm tree up to 20 m
Mature diameter: 5 m
Soils: Loam, Sandy, Limestone
Climates: Hot, dry Mediterranean

Calendar

January
February
March
April — Planting
May — Planting
June — Planting
July
August
September — Harvest
October — Harvest
November — Harvest
December — Harvest

Harvest
Planting

Medicinal use: The fruits are highly nutritious, rich in natural sugars and fibre, consumed fresh or dried.

Where to buy

May grow well with

Suggestions worked out from growing conditions — same soil and climate, complementary layers and functions. These are not observed guilds; treat them as a starting point to try on your own land.