The Best Time to Plant Phoenix Roebelenii in Florida

Time of Year

• As temperatures rise, palm roots naturally respond with vigorous growth. You want to plant your pygmy date palm when its roots are most active so your new tree anchors itself strongly in the ground with ample nutrient and moisture absorption. Choose Florida's wet season, between June and November, to plant. Warm weather is consistent, along with periodic rainfall for the roots. Dry weather in the late spring may cause some root dieback from drought.

Moisture Influence

• Date palms have a root-initiation zone at the tree's base that constantly produces thin roots. These specialized roots do not grow in diameter, but remain the same thickness as they grow horizontally in search of moisture and nutrients. Planting during the Florida rainy season provides the moisture necessary for transplant success. Even if the roots were pruned during the transplanting process, warm weather and moist soil stimulate the tree to grow rapidly in the new location. To reduce water stress during transplanting, remove up to two-thirds of the 4-foot-long leaves to prevent excessive transpiration. Once planted in the ground, new leaves grow as the roots spread into the moist soil.

Location

• Because pygmy date palms prefer full sun, the planting must be accompanied by consistent rainfall or periodic watering to avoid drought. For the first six months after transplanting, the soil should be moist, but not soggy. The soil needs to be fast-draining to avoid root rot, but should retain some moisture for root uptake. Choose a sheltered area free from prevailing winds -- your new pygmy date palm cannot take too much Florida wind while it is establishing.

Considering Cold Temperatures

• If you have a cold snap during the rainy season, try to reschedule your planting project. Pygmy date palms have a small growth area at the canopy's center. Cold temperatures that bring on possible frost can easily damage this growing area, causing the entire palm to die back. The palm also goes dormant when temperatures drop -- you want active growth to provide the palm with strength as it establishes its root system.