Canary Island Date Palm / Pineapple Palm

Phoenix canariensis

Light Requirement: Full sun. It performs best in open, sunny locations with plenty of room for the canopy to develop.

Height: Typically 40–60 ft. tall at maturity, with a large canopy spread of 20–40 ft.

Growth Habit: Slow to moderate-growing, massive single-trunk feather palm with a thick trunk and a large, rounded crown of long arching fronds. When professionally trimmed, the upper trunk is often shaped into a pineapple-like pattern.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 9b–11; cold hardy to the upper teens or low 20s once established, though hard freezes can damage foliage; moderately drought tolerant once established; moderately salt tolerant and suitable for many coastal Florida landscapes when not exposed to constant direct salt spray.

Maintenance Info: Moderate to high maintenance due to its large size. It requires professional pruning as it matures, and old fronds, fruit stalks, and seed clusters can create cleanup. The fronds have sharp spines near the base, so it should not be planted too close to walkways, driveways, or tight spaces. Give it plenty of room away from roofs, power lines, pools, and structures.

Best Uses in the Landscape: Best used as a large specimen palm, estate palm, commercial landscape feature, driveway statement tree, entrance palm, or large open-lawn focal point. It is not ideal for small residential beds or narrow spaces because of its massive mature size.

Plant Info: Canary Island Date Palm is native to the Canary Islands and is one of the most iconic large ornamental palms used in Florida landscapes. It is known for its bold, formal appearance, thick trunk, and dramatic crown of feather-like fronds. Mature palms can create a high-end, resort-style look, but they need plenty of space and professional maintenance as they grow.