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.
Why You'll Love It:
- Produces edible orange fruits
- Forms lush clumps of graceful, arching palms
- Provides tropical landscape beauty and screening
- Attracts birds and wildlife
- Fast-growing and surprisingly hardy
- Grows well in containers or in-ground
| Scientific Name | Phoenix reclinata |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Cliff Date, Senegal Date Palm, Wild Date Palm |
| Family | Arecaceae (Palm Family) |
| Origin | Tropical Africa |
| Plant Type | Clumping Palm / Fruiting Tree |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Food Forest Layer | Mid-Story / Canopy Layer |
| Mature Size | 10–30 ft tall and spreading |
| Light | Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Water Needs | Moderate; drought-tolerant once established |
| Harvest Season | Late Summer to Fall |
| Time to Fruit | 3–5 years from planting |
| Self-Fertile | No (dioecious; male + female needed for fruit) |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Zones | USDA Zones 9–11 |
| Florida Native | No |
| Propagation | Seeds, Division of Offshoots |
| Seasonal Characteristics | Evergreen; clumping growth, ornamental year-round |
Wondering about your USDA Growing Zone and what you can grow? 🌎🌿 Learn how to find your Zone and grow tropical plants anywhere—Florida to Alaska! 👉 Read the full blog here!
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