Phoenix canariensis Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS
Canary Island Date Palm

Phoenix canariensis

£12.99
Overwinter under coverSun-lovingEvergreenRHS award winner
Pot size
9cm / 0.5L £12.99

FREE tracked delivery on orders over £60

Complete the set up
Description

Phoenix canariensis, the Canary Island date palm, is the palm of Mediterranean seafronts: a pineapple-shaped base erupting into a fountain of long, arching, feather-form fronds in deep glossy green. Few plants say holiday as instantly, and young plants develop that character from their first seasons.

We sell it honestly: in most of the UK this is a patio and conservatory palm, not a border tree. It summers outside magnificently and winters under cover, and grown that way it is easy, fast to please and long-lived. Only mild coastal gardens can attempt it in the ground, and even there it needs shelter and a dry crown. For a border palm that laughs at frost, choose Trachycarpus fortunei instead; enjoy Phoenix for what it does best.

How and where to grow

  • Position: full sun on a warm patio May to October; bright and frost free in winter.
  • Soil: free-draining loam-based compost in a generous pot.
  • Size: slow in containers; a characterful metre-plus palm within a few years.
  • Hardiness: H2. Move under cover before frost; mature coastal specimens only tolerate brief freezes.

Grow it as the summer centrepiece of a courtyard among our plants for pots, flanked by architectural foliage, then let it lend the conservatory a Canaries air all winter. It completes the palm collection alongside our genuinely garden-hardy hardy palms.

Healthy young plants in 9 cm pots, ideal for growing on. Winter handling is covered in our seasonal expectations guide.

Live Arrival Guarantee

All plants are covered by our 7-day live arrival guarantee. We pack every order in protective, sustainable packaging designed to keep your plants safe in transit, and every plant is checked before it ships. On the rare occasion something is not right on arrival, we will make it good, provided the plant is still in its original nursery pot.

Find out more

What to Expect

Seasonal by nature: what to expect

  • Grown outdoors, the way nature intended. Weather-tested and hardened in real UK conditions, so they thrive in your garden. A few marks on the older leaves are normal, the sign of a tough, real plant rather than a flaw.
  • It follows the seasons. Depending on when you order, your plant may arrive cut back, dormant or leafless. That's healthy: dormancy is the ideal time to plant.
  • Posted, not posed. Big leafy plants like bananas and gingers may be trimmed or gently folded to travel safely. It does the plant no harm, and it powers away again in spring.

Not sure what to expect from yours? Dormant, cut-back or weather-marked plants are all perfectly healthy and normal. Read what to expect through the seasons

Delivery & returns

Order by 1pm Monday to Friday for same day dispatch. Every plant travels in protective, plant-safe packaging with tracked delivery.

Changed your mind? See our Return Policy.

Best quality plants guaranteed
7 day live arrival guarantee
Delivered to your door with care
Earn 64 points with this plant · 5 points per £1 Join free

How to care for Canary Island Date Palm

Plant me in full sun and bring me under cover before the frosts.

In their words

What our customers say

Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.

Emily P.

Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.

James R.

Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.

Sophie L.
Get to know me

About Canary Island Date Palm

Phoenix canariensis needs full sun and well-drained soil. It is frost tender and must come under cover for winter.

Good for

Architectural Pots & Containers

Hardiness

TenderVery hardy

Tender (H2): down to around 1°C. Tolerates cool conditions but not frost; protect or bring in over winter.

A patio and conservatory palm in most of the UK: we rate it H2. Enjoy it outside from late spring to autumn, then move it under cover before frost. Only in the mildest coastal gardens do established specimens live outside year round, and even there they need a sheltered spot and a dry crown. Read moreShow less

A patio and conservatory palm in most of the UK: we rate it H2. Enjoy it outside from late spring to autumn, then move it under cover before frost. Only in the mildest coastal gardens do established specimens live outside year round, and even there they need a sheltered spot and a dry crown.

Position

Full sunSouth-facingWest-facingSheltered
Full sun on a warm patio or in a bright conservatory. Turn container plants occasionally for an even crown. Read moreShow less

Full sun on a warm patio or in a bright conservatory. Turn container plants occasionally for an even crown.

Soil

LoamSandWell-drainedAcid pHAlkaline pHNeutral pH
Free-draining, loam-based compost in pots; fertile well-drained soil for planted specimens in mild areas. Read moreShow less

Free-draining, loam-based compost in pots; fertile well-drained soil for planted specimens in mild areas.

Watering

Water freely in summer with a monthly feed; keep much drier in winter, especially the crown. Read moreShow less

Water freely in summer with a monthly feed; keep much drier in winter, especially the crown.

Mature size

Height10-15 m in habitat; 1-3 m as a UK container palm
Spread2-4 m

Reaches full size in 20-50 years

Growth habit

Columnar/upright

Seasonal colour

Foliage

Evergreen (stays evergreen only when kept frost-free over winter)

Pruning

Remove only fully brown fronds close to the trunk; never cut the green crown or growing spear.

Toxicity

No significant toxicity, but old leaf bases carry long, sharp spines near the trunk; handle mature plants with gloves.

Native range

Canary Islands

Family

Arecaceae

Also known as

Phoenix canariensis

Genus

Phoenix
Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phoenix canariensis hardy in the UK?

Honestly, no, not in most gardens. We sell it as a patio and conservatory palm: outdoors for the warm half of the year, under cover for winter. Mature plants in mild coastal spots can take brief dips below freezing with a dry crown, but treat that as a bonus, not a plan. For a palm that genuinely lives outside year round, choose Trachycarpus fortunei.

Can I grow Phoenix canariensis in pots?

That is exactly how to grow it here: a handsome container palm summering on the patio and wintering somewhere frost free, a porch, greenhouse or bright room. It grows slowly in a pot, staying manageable for years. See our other plants for pots and containers.

How tall does a Canary Island date palm grow?

In the Canaries, to 15 m or more. In a UK container expect a satisfying but civilised palm: young plants build a pineapple-like base and arching feather fronds, reaching a couple of metres over many years. Growth is slow enough that it never outstays its welcome.

How do I care for a Phoenix palm?

Sun, water and food in summer; light and near-dryness in winter. Feed monthly through the growing season, never let the pot sit in a saucer of water, and keep the crown dry in cold weather. Older leaf bases carry sharp spines near the trunk, so wear gloves when tidying.

What size palm will I receive?

These are healthy young plants in 9 cm pots, the perfect stage to grow on: they establish faster than large specimens, cost a fraction of the price, and make characterful pot palms within a couple of seasons. Pot on each spring as roots fill the container.

Why are my palm's fronds going brown?

The usual culprits are cold, overwatering in winter, or underwatering in high summer. Trim spent fronds close to the trunk once fully brown, and check the growing point stays firm and green: while the spear is healthy, the palm is fine.

Does my plant come with a pot?
Your plant will arrive in its nursery grow pot — the plastic pot it's been growing in. We don't include a decorative pot as standard, and there's a good reason for that: it means you get to choose one that fits your space and style, rather than being stuck with something that doesn't suit your home.

It also means you're not paying extra for a pot you might not want. The nursery pot is perfectly fine to keep your plant in for a while, just pop it inside a decorative cover pot or cache pot and you're good to go. When you're ready to repot (usually after a growing season or when roots start poking out the bottom), you can move it into something more permanent with fresh soil.

If you're not sure what size cover pot to go for, check the pot selector tool listed above, you'll want a decorative pot that's a centimetre or two wider than that to give it a comfortable fit.
How big will my plant be when it arrives?
Every plant on our site includes the pot size (e.g. 12cm) and, where possible, an approximate height. That's the most reliable way to set your expectations, photos can sometimes make a plant look larger or smaller than it really is.

If you're thinking "that sounds quite small for the price," here's something worth knowing: younger, smaller plants almost always adapt better to your home than larger ones. They adjust faster to your light and humidity, put out new growth more quickly, and tend to establish stronger root systems long-term. A plant that grows into your space will usually outperform one that was already big when it arrived.

That said, every plant is an individual. The one you receive may vary slightly in height, shape, or fullness compared to the photo, that's the nature of living things, not a quality issue. We select healthy, well-established specimens, and if you ever feel your plant doesn't match what you were expecting, just get in touch and we'll take a look.
What makes your plants different from the supermarket or garden centre?
There's a big difference between a plant that's been sitting under on a retail shelf and one that's been looked after and cared for by people who specialise in exactly this.

Our plants are grown in house or sourced from specialist nurseries, many of them varieties you simply won't find at your local garden centre or supermarket. Before anything leaves us, it's checked over by our horticultural team to make sure it's healthy, well-rooted, and ready to thrive in your home. We're not shifting volume off a pallet, we're choosing plants we'd want to keep ourselves.

When you buy from a supermarket, you get a plant and a generic care label. When you buy from us, you get the knowledge that comes with it, detailed care guidance, a team you can actually contact if something isn't going right, and the confidence that what's arriving has been looked after properly from the moment it was grown to the moment it reaches your door.

We're a specialist nursery first, not a retailer that happens to sell plants. That's the difference, and you'll see it the moment you open the box.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
First things first, unbox it as soon as you can. Plants don't love being in dark boxes any more than you would, and the sooner yours is out and breathing, the better.

Remove all the packaging carefully, give the soil a check with your finger, and water lightly if it feels dry. Then find it a spot with appropriate light, but avoid putting it straight into harsh direct sun or next to a radiator. Think of it like arriving somewhere new after a long journey: it needs a moment to adjust.

It's completely normal for your plant to look a little tired or droopy after transit. This is called transit stress, and most plants bounce back within a week or two. You might see a yellow leaf or some drooping, don't panic, and resist the urge to overwater or start repotting straight away.

Our advice for the first couple of weeks: leave it in its nursery pot, water it only when the top layer of soil feels dry, and let it acclimatise to your home's light, temperature, and humidity. Once it's settled in and showing signs of new growth, you can think about repotting or moving it to its permanent spot.

Every plant we sell comes with a care guide on the product page so you'll know exactly what it needs going forward. And if anything doesn't look right, get in touch with our team, we're always happy to help.
Will my plant survive being shipped?
Yes! and we go to serious lengths to make sure of it. Every plant is hand-packed by our team with protective wrapping and secure, custom-designed boxes to keep it stable and safe in transit. We've shipped hundreds of thousands of plants across the UK and our packaging methods have been refined over years to handle the bumps and jolts of delivery.

During colder months, we monitor weather forecasts and offer heat packs where needed to protect against frost. In extreme conditions, we may hold your order for a day or two rather than risk sending it out, we'd rather you wait an extra day than receive a stressed plant.

That said, plants are living things, and the occasional transit wobble can happen. If your plant arrives damaged or isn't in the condition you'd expect, just get in touch within 48 hours with a photo, and we'll make it right, whether that's a replacement or a full refund. No fuss.

The short version: we treat every box like it's going to someone who really cares about what's inside, because it is.
Why Grow Tropicals

Plants delivered the way they deserve

Packaged with Care

Packaged with Care

Every order is hand-packed in eco-friendly, protective packaging - refined through thousands of deliveries to ensure your plant arrives healthy, hydrated, and looking its best.

Backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

Perfect for Gifting

Perfect for Gifting

From rare collector’s pieces to easy-care favourites, our plants arrive fully potted and ready to enjoy. Add a personalised note at checkout for a thoughtful finishing touch.

Delivered fresh, beautiful, and gift-ready.

Sustainability at Heart

Sustainability at Heart

All plants are ethically sourced from trusted growers, never wild-collected. Every order ships carbon-neutral in minimal-waste packaging.

Good for your home - and the planet.

Verified reviews

Rated by real customers

You may also like

We recommend
Phoenix canariensis
£12.99