Pygmy Date Palm
Phoenix roebelenii
Also known as: Phoenix Roebelenii, Robellini Palm, Roebelenii Palm, Miniature Date Palm, Dwarf Date Palm
The dwarf Phoenix. Slow-growing single-trunk palm with finely textured arching fronds and a refined silhouette suited to pool decks, entrance flanking, and container plantings. Sourced at 2-3 ft, 4-5 ft, and 7-8 ft trunk specimens. Pet-safe per NCSU.
Pricing Guide (per specimen)
| Size / Spec | Price (PHP) |
|---|---|
| 2-3 ft trunk | ₱5,500 |
| 4-5 ft trunk | ₱8,500 |
| 7-8 ft trunk | ₱14,000 |
Volume Discounts
- 5–15 specimens:5%
- 16–50 specimens:8-10%
- 51+ specimens:Project-specific pricing
Phoenix roebelenii is slow-growing; trunk height represents accumulated cultivation time. Multi-stem clumps (2-3 specimens grown together) command a premium over single-trunk specimens of equivalent height. Delivery, planting, and 30-day establishment service quoted separately.
Request Project Quote →About Pygmy Date Palm
Phoenix roebelenii, the Pygmy Date Palm, is a slow-growing dwarf palm native to riverbanks across Yunnan (southern China), Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and northern Vietnam.[^1] In Philippine landscape design it is the default small specimen palm, specified for pool decks, entrance flanking, container plantings, and indoor lobbies because of its refined arching fronds, manageable scale, and tolerance for both partial shade and full sun. Pet-safe per NC State Extension,[^3] which separates it from many ornamental palms with toxic fruit. Trunk height drives the pricing tier — slow growth means each additional foot of trunk represents years of cultivation.
Common Applications
- Pool deck and pool-bed plantings. Single specimens or paired plantings 2 m back from pool coping. Clean fronds and small fruit produce minimal pool-deck litter.
- Entrance flanking and gate plantings. Symmetrical pairs or trios at residential gates, hotel forecourts, and condominium drive-up zones. The 4-5 ft and 7-8 ft tiers carry the most visual weight at entrances.
- Container and urn plantings. Pot-grown specimens for hotel lobbies, condominium amenity decks, and rooftop gardens. Slow growth means specimens hold their visual character in containers for years.
- Resort and HNW residential arrivals. Statement focal point at boutique resort entrances and premium residential gardens. The 7-8 ft tier reads as a fully mature specimen.
- Indoor lobby plantings. Bright indirect light positions in atria, hotel lobbies, and corporate receptions. More shade-tolerant than larger Phoenix species.
Where You'll See It
- Pool decks and pool beds across Philippine residential and resort projects
- Hotel and condominium entrance forecourts in Makati, BGC, and Cebu
- Subdivision common-area entry plantings
- Mall and corporate atrium container plantings
- HNW residential gate plantings in Forbes Park, Dasmariñas Village, and Ayala Alabang
- Boutique resort arrival landscapes in Tagaytay, Boracay, and Bohol
Why Architects Choose It
- Refined dwarf scale fits residential and amenity-deck contexts where larger Phoenix species overpower
- Pet-safe per NCSU; non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses
- Pool-safe with clean fronds and minimal litter
- Slow growth holds the specimen in scale for years without major maintenance
- Adaptable light tolerance — partial shade through full sun, plus indoor performance
- Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit (per Wikipedia) — recognized horticultural reliability
Project Types Best Suited
- Residential pool deck and entry plantings
- Hotel forecourts and condominium lobby flanking
- Resort and HNW residential arrival landscapes
- Container and urn plantings on amenity decks
- Indoor lobby and atrium installations
- Subdivision common-area entry features
Specifications
- Botanical name
- Phoenix roebelenii O'Brien
- Family
- Arecaceae
- Native range
- China (Yunnan), Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam
- Habit
- Slow-growing dwarf palm; single-trunk in landscape stock; multi-stem clumps available as premium specimens
- Sourced trunk heights
- 2-3 ft, 4-5 ft, 7-8 ft
- Mature height
- Up to 2-7 m; commonly 6-10 ft in PH landscape conditions
- Trunk caliper
- Slender; thickens gradually with age
- Fronds
- Pinnately compound, 60-120 cm long, ~100 gray-green leaflets in a single plane, softly arching
- Spine hazard
- Lower leaflets near the trunk are modified into sharp spines (a Phoenix-genus characteristic). Wear gloves when pruning. Maintain setback from walkways and play zones.
- Reproductive habit
- Dioecious (separate male and female plants). Female specimens produce small purple drupes; male specimens produce pollen panicles.
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Sun
- Adaptable — partial shade to full sun. Partial shade produces darker green fronds; full sun is tolerated.
- Water
- Moderate; consistent moisture preferred. Do not waterlog.
- Soil
- Adaptable; tolerates clay, loam, and sand. Acid to neutral pH. Good drainage essential.
- Salt tolerance
- Limited; suited to chlorinated pool decks but not exposed beachfront splash zones
- Drought tolerance
- Drought- and heat-resistant once established
- Hardiness
- USDA 10a-11b; thrives across all PH lowland climates
- Pet safe
- Yes — non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses (NC State Extension)
- Pool safe
- Yes (with spine setback). Clean fronds, minimal fruit drop in male specimens.
Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii) Specimen Supplier
Phoenix roebelenii, the Pygmy Date Palm, is the dwarf species in the Phoenix genus and one of the most widely specified small palms in Philippine landscape design. Native to riverbanks across southern China and mainland Southeast Asia,1 the species combines a refined arching frond silhouette, slow growth, and adaptable light tolerance into a specification that fits pool decks, entrance plantings, container installations, and indoor lobbies.
Trunk Height and Pricing Tiers
The reason Phoenix roebelenii commands tiered pricing is time. Slow growth means each foot of trunk represents years of cultivation:
- 2-3 ft trunk — approximately 5-7 years of cultivation (₱5,500)
- 4-5 ft trunk — approximately 8-12 years (₱8,500)
- 7-8 ft trunk — approximately 14-20 years (₱14,000)
Cultivation-time figures are industry estimates for slow-grown nursery stock in Philippine conditions, not POWO-cited.2 The pricing tier reflects accumulated nursery time, not material cost.
Multi-trunk clumps (2-3 specimens grown together for a fuller crown effect) command a premium over single-trunk specimens of equivalent height.
Native Range and Origin
Per Plants of the World Online (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew), Phoenix roebelenii is native to southern China (Yunnan), Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and northern Vietnam.1 The species evolved on riverbanks and seasonally inundated soils, which translates in cultivation to a preference for consistent moisture and tolerance for the broader range of Philippine lowland conditions. Hardiness USDA 10a-11b spans every PH climate zone.2
Form and Frond Character
The plant is a slow-growing dwarf palm typically reaching 2-7 m in cultivation, with most landscape specimens settling at 6-10 ft.3 Pinnately compound fronds run 60-120 cm long, carrying approximately 100 gray-green leaflets in a single plane (a feature that distinguishes the species from Phoenix loureiroi and similar species with two-plane leaflet arrangement).3
The fronds soft-arch from the trunk, giving a relaxed silhouette compared with the stiffer crowns of P. canariensis or P. dactylifera.
Important Safety Note: Spine Hazard
Like all Phoenix species, the lower leaflets at the base of each frond are modified into sharp spines.2 These can cause puncture wounds during pruning or when planted within reach of foot traffic.
For landscape briefs, this means:
- Maintain at least 1.5 m setback from walkways, pool coping, and play zones
- Wear stout leather gloves during any pruning or handling
- Avoid placement at children’s play areas or commercial drive-up zones where pedestrians may brush past
- Note in turnover documentation for residential clients
The spine hazard is the more relevant safety concern for this species, not toxicity — Phoenix roebelenii is non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses per NC State Extension.2
Distinguishing from Other Phoenix Species
Buyers and architects sometimes conflate the four Phoenix species commonly available in Philippine landscape supply. Quick reference:
- Phoenix roebelenii (this page): dwarf species, 2-7 m mature, finest fronds, single-plane leaflets, slow growth
- Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island Date Palm): large stately specimen, 10-20 m, massive solitary trunk, premium specimen tier
- Phoenix dactylifera (True Date Palm): commercial date producer, 15-25 m, classic desert palm form
- Phoenix sylvestris (Silver Date Palm / Wild Date Palm): mid-size, robust upright crown, silver-blue fronds
Landscape Use in the Philippines
Common deployments:
- Pool deck plantings with 2 m setback from coping
- Entrance flanking at residential gates, hotel forecourts, and condominium drive-up zones
- Container and urn plantings on amenity decks and rooftop gardens
- Indoor lobby specimens in atria and corporate receptions
- Resort and HNW residential arrival anchors at the 7-8 ft tier
- Subdivision common-area entry features for marker plantings
Why Specify Phoenix roebelenii
Refined dwarf scale. Fits residential and amenity-deck contexts where larger Phoenix species overpower.
Pet-safe per NCSU. Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, which is a meaningful selling point for residential clients with pets.2
Pool-safe with clean habit. Minimal frond drop and no significant fruit issue with male specimens. Spine setback is the only placement constraint.
Slow growth as a feature. Specimens hold scale for years in containers and tight beds without major maintenance.
Adaptable light. Partial shade through full sun, plus indoor performance — wider tolerance than most Phoenix species.
Award of Garden Merit (RHS). Recognized horticultural reliability worldwide.3
Pest Watch
Standard palm pests apply: scale insects, fern scale, banded greenhouse thrips, and leaf spot fungi.2 At the genus level, red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) is a major global threat to Phoenix species in cultivation. Inspect new stock at delivery, treat early at first sign of pressure, and watch for crown wilting, trunk frass, or fallen crowns. Report suspected red palm weevil immediately for prompt response.
Sources
Footnotes
-
Plants of the World Online (POWO), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. “Phoenix roebelenii O’Brien.” Accessed 2026. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:668945-1 ↩ ↩2
-
NC State Extension Plant Toolbox. “Phoenix roebelenii.” North Carolina State University. Accessed 2026. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/phoenix-roebelenii/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6
-
Wikipedia contributors. “Phoenix roebelenii.” Wikipedia. Accessed 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_roebelenii ↩ ↩2 ↩3
Sourcing & Supply
Origin
Sourced from established Philippine palm growers who maintain Phoenix roebelenii stock at trunk-height tiers from 2 ft through 7-8 ft. Specimens at the higher trunk tiers come from older nursery stock cultivated over a decade or more under shade-house conditions.
Supplier Relationship
Long-term relationships with multiple palm-specialist nurseries. Bulk orders for hotel and residential entrance plantings are coordinated across yards when single-source inventory is short, particularly at the 7-8 ft tier where availability is more selection-driven than spec-driven.
Quality Control
Each specimen inspected for trunk caliper, frond density, crown symmetry, and absence of pests. Stock is screened for scale, fern scale, and red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) symptoms before delivery. 30-day establishment guarantee covers nursery-side issues.
How to Order
- 1
Inquiry to Quote
Send us your specs and project size. We respond with a project-specific quote within 24 hours.
- 2
Site Visit / Spec Confirmation
For larger projects, we coordinate a site visit or spec call to confirm requirements.
- 3
Order Confirmation + Deposit
50% deposit confirms your order. Established institutional accounts may qualify for net terms.
- 4
Production / Sourcing & Delivery
We coordinate sourcing, production, and delivery. Final payment due on delivery.
- Response time
- We respond within 4 business hours.
- Payment terms
- 50/50 standard. Net terms available for established institutional accounts.
- Documentation
- Sales Invoice, Delivery Receipt, COA-compliant documentation on request.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Pygmy Date Palm cost in the Philippines?
Trunk specimens retail at ₱5,500 for a 2-3 ft trunk, ₱8,500 for a 4-5 ft trunk, and ₱14,000 for a 7-8 ft trunk. The trunk-height tier reflects accumulated cultivation time; Phoenix roebelenii is slow-growing, so each foot of trunk represents years of grower investment. Multi-stem clumps cost more than single-trunk specimens of equivalent height. Delivery and planting quoted separately.
Is Pygmy Date Palm pet safe?
Yes. NC State Extension lists Phoenix roebelenii as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. This separates it from ornamental palms with toxic fruit and makes it a sound choice for residential gardens with pets. The spine hazard is the more relevant safety concern, not toxicity.
Does Pygmy Date Palm have spines?
Yes. Like all Phoenix species, the lower leaflets near the trunk are modified into very sharp spines. They can cause puncture wounds during pruning or if positioned within reach of children's play areas. Wear gloves when handling, and specify at least 1.5 m setback from walkways and pool decks.
Can it be grown indoors?
Yes, in bright indirect light positions. Phoenix roebelenii is more shade-tolerant than other Phoenix species and works in atria, hotel lobbies, and large indoor planters. Indoor specimens grow more slowly and may benefit from periodic outdoor rotation. Watch for spider mites in dry conditioned air.
How fast does it grow?
Slowly. Roughly 6-12 inches of vertical growth per year in Philippine lowland conditions. The slow growth is part of why the species is preferred for compact landscape contexts where larger Phoenix species would outgrow the space.
What's the difference between Pygmy Date Palm and Date Palm?
Different species, different scales. Phoenix roebelenii is a dwarf species topping out at 2-7 m, suited to courtyards, pool decks, and containers. Phoenix dactylifera (true Date Palm) reaches 50-70 ft and is specified as a signature canopy palm. Both are in the Phoenix genus. Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island Date Palm) is the third common landscape species, larger than roebelenii and smaller than dactylifera.
Are male and female plants different?
Yes. Phoenix roebelenii is dioecious — separate male and female plants. Female specimens produce small purple drupes resembling thin-skinned dates; male specimens produce cream pollen panicles. Sex cannot be reliably determined until flowering maturity, typically 5-8 years. For pool-deck placements where fruit drop is undesirable, male specimens are preferred when sex is known.
Will it tolerate beachfront placement?
Limited. Salt tolerance is modest; the species suits chlorinated pool environments but not exposed beachfront splash zones. For beachfront placements, Cycas revoluta (sago palm) or coconut are stronger choices.
What pests should I watch for?
Scale insects, fern scale, banded greenhouse thrips, leaf spot, and at the genus level, red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) — a major palm pest globally. Inspect new stock and treat any pest pressure early. Red palm weevil presents as crown wilting, frass at the trunk, or fallen crowns; report any suspected case immediately.
What is the establishment guarantee?
If a properly-installed specimen (planted by us or per our written planting protocol) fails within 30 days due to nursery-side issues such as root ball damage, undisclosed pest infestation, or transport stress, we provide a free replacement at the same tier. Failures from improper post-planting care, weather events, or site drainage issues are not covered.
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