Sylvester Date Palm Tree, scientific name Phoenix sylvestris, is one of the most popular palm trees in the world. This spectacular palm is often used throughout luxury homes, renowned golf courses, or for avenue planting. Sylvester Date Palm Tree can also grow indoors.

Sylvester Date Palm Tree Info

Scientific name: Phoenix sylvestris

Common names: The Sylvester Date Palm is also known as Sugar Date Palm, India Date Palm, Silver Date Palm, and Wild Date Palm.

Family: Arecaceae

Origin: It is native to India.

Appearance: It has a lot of similar characteristics with True Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera). It has a solitary robust trunk, with an interesting diamond pattern created by leaf scars. The Sylvester Date Palm requires some maintenance trimming old dead leaves that tend to make “skirts”. The trunk is swollen at the base, about 13-18 inches in diameter.

Without crownshaft 90-100 large pinnate, feather-shaped, leaves emerge at the top of the trunk. Leaves are about 10-15ft long, silver or blue-green color, slightly curved, with 100-120 sharply pointed at the end leaflets. Leaflets are 1-1.5ft long by 1-2 inches wide and arranged in groups of 2 or 3, often cross-crossing. Petioles have are about 3ft long, armed with long spines.

Flowers/Fruits: The Sylvester Date Palm produces small white flowers supported by 2-3ft long branching inflorescence coming from among the leaves. The Sylvester Date Palm is dioecious, male and female flowers are born on different plants. Flowers are followed by oval fruits, about 1 inch in diameter, turning purple-black when ripe. Fruits are editable and have a sweet taste. They contain a single seed inside.

Growth Rate: Moderate. Phoenix sylvestris is a fast-growing palm that can get up to 50-60 ft tall and 10-15 ft wide.

Outdoor/Indoor Use: Both.

Light Req: Full sun to partial shade.

Water Req: Moderate. The Sylvester Date Palm can withstand drought for a short period of time. Grows best in moist but well-drained soil.

Maintenance: Easy. The only thing this palm requires is some trimming to avoid the “skirt” of old dead leaves. To prevent nutritional deficiency, apply good quality palm fertilizer that has continuous release formula twice a year during the growing season.