Date palm trees are interesting and beautiful plants that can be grown at home.
Dates can be purchased at most supermarkets and, if you’ve ever bought dates from the grocery store, you may have wondered if they could be grown into a date tree.
It turns out that you can grow a date tree from store-bought dates, date trees are relatively easy to grow, as long as you have the right climate and soil conditions. With a little bit of care and patience you can grow your own date tree from store-bought dates.

What type of dates should you buy to grow your own plant?
The best dates to use for growing a date tree are Medjool dates.
These dates are large, sweet, and have a thick skin that is easy to remove.
If you can’t find Medjool dates, you can also use Deglet Noor dates, which are smaller and less sweet than Medjool dates.
When choosing dates always buy organic types that have not been treated and that do not have any added sugars or preservatives.
It’s also worth saying that some dates are sold as seedless so, check the packet carefully before you buy.
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Soil and climate requirements
Date trees need well-drained soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 8.5 in order to thrive.
They also require full sun, or at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
If you live in an area with cold winters, you’ll need to bring your date tree inside when the temperature drops below freezing to prevent it from dying.
Date trees can also be grown indoors as long as you can provide plenty of light and space for the tree to grow and mature.
How to grow a date tree from store bought dates
There are several steps that you’ll need to take to make the most of your date seeds and to ensure that you get the best results.
- Start by removing the seeds from the dates, removing as much visible flesh as possible without damaging the seed.
- Soak the seeds in a dish of cold water for a week. Change the water daily to prevent it from becoming mouldy.
- After soaking for a week rinse the seeds well and place them onto a damp towel (paper or linen) and then fold the towel into two so that the date seeds are covered on both sides with the damp cloth.
- Put the towel containing the seeds into a plastic bag and seal, then place the bag into a warm place such as an airing cupboard.
- You now need to be patient and wait for signs of germination. Check the seeds regularly – if there are any signs of mould forming then change the towel for a clean, damp one.
- When you see sprouts appearing from the seeds, remove them from the towel and sow them into small pots of seed compost.
- Water the compost carefully, cover the pots with cling film or clear plastic and keep in a warm, well lit area.
- Make sure that the compost doesn’t dry out and as soon as leaves appear remove the plastic so that the plant can continue to develop.

How long does it take for a date seed to sprout?
Date seeds are slow to germinate and it can take anywhere from two to five months for the shoots to appear.
Be patient and keep a close eye on the pots – once the shoots do appear you need to transfer them to a bigger pot.
Date trees can grow quite large so make sure that the pot is big enough to accommodate the tree as it grows.
What type of fertilizer should I use on my date tree?
Once your date tree is established it will need to be fertilized annually.
Look for a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium ( NPK ).
Fertilize the tree in the early spring before new growth begins.
Water the tree thoroughly after fertilizing.

How long does it take for a date palm to fruit?
It can take up to six years for a date palm to fruit.
Make sure that you provide the tree with plenty of water and fertilize it regularly to help it along.
Do date palms grown from seed grow true?
Date palms grown from seed may not produce fruit that is the same as the parent plant.
If you are looking for a plant that has the same qualities as the parent date palm then it is best to grow the young plant from a cutting or offshoot or to buy a young plant of the same variety.
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How to prune a date palm
Date trees should be pruned annually to encourage healthy growth and to keep the tree in shape.
Prune the tree in the early spring before new growth begins.
Remove any dead, diseased or damaged branches using sharp pruning shears.
Shape the tree by cutting back long or spindly branches.
Make sure that you only prune healthy branches – never prune in response to a problem such as disease or insect damage.
When pruning always make clean cuts that are angled away from the branch that you are cutting.


What pests and diseases can affect date trees?
Date trees are susceptible to a range of pests and diseases.
The most common pests are spider mites, aphids and scale insects.
These can be controlled using biological or chemical methods.
Bacterial leaf scorch is a disease that affects the leaves of date trees. It is caused by a bacteria that is carried into the tree by wind or rain.
There is no cure for bacterial leaf scorch and the only way to control it is to remove and destroy all infected trees.
Date trees can also be affected by root rot, a fungal disease that affects the roots of the tree.
The only way to control root rot is to remove and destroy all infected trees.
How to harvest dates from a date tree
Date trees can be harvested once they are mature.
The best time to harvest dates is in the late autumn or early winter when the fruits are ripe.
Pick the dates by hand, careful not to damage the fruit.
Date trees can be harvested every two to three years.

Final words
Date trees are a beautiful addition to any garden and can be grown from seed.
Make sure that you provide the tree with plenty of water and fertilize it regularly to help it along.
Pests and diseases can affect date trees, so keep a close eye on the tree and treat any problems as soon as they occur.
Date trees can be harvested once they are mature and the best time to harvest dates is in the late autumn or early winter.