Cliff Date Seedling (Phoenix reclinata)

Tropical Clumping Palm with Edible Fruit and Landscape Presence

The Cliff Date Palm is a stunning clumping palm native to tropical Africa, known for its graceful, arching fronds and edible orange fruits. The small, sweet dates are traditionally gathered in Africa for fresh eating and fermenting, making this palm both edible and ornamental. Its dense, suckering habit creates a lush, natural screen or focal point in food forests, tropical gardens, and permaculture plantings.

Fast-growing and adaptable, Cliff Date thrives in sunny, well-drained locations and is surprisingly tolerant of a range of soils, humidity levels, and even some salt exposure. It forms clumps of slender, trunked palms that create an instant tropical look—perfect for borders, buffers, or creating shade layers in multi-story plantings.

The fruits are small but sweet and enjoyed by both people and wildlife. While it can grow into a large specimen over time, Cliff Date can also be maintained at a manageable size with selective pruning, making it a functional edible landscaping plant for both container and in-ground growers.