Water Date Palm Plant Care
Phoenix paludosa Roxb.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Phoenix paludosa, also called the mangrove date palm, is a species of flowering plant in the palm family, indigenous to coastal regions of India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Sumatra, Vietnam and peninsular Malaysia. They are also known as sea dates.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Water Date Palm?
Water Water Date Palm every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Water Date Palm Native To?
What Is the Water Date Palm?
Water Date Palm (Phoenix paludosa) belongs to the Arecaceae family within the Phoenix genus. Water Date Palm is native to coastal regions of India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Sumatra, Vietnam and peninsular Malaysia. Water Date Palm is also known as Mangrove Date Palm.
Water Date Palm displays a tall, single-trunk palm growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Water Date Palm produces creamy white to yellow flowers in large clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 36 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Water Date Palm?
Phoenix paludosa requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Water Date Palm Need?
Water Date Palm thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Water Date Palm Prefer?
Phoenix paludosa grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Water Date Palm prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Water Date Palm?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Water Date Palm to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Water Date Palm?
Feed Water Date Palm every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Water Date Palm?
Repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Water Date Palm?
Water Date Palm can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to canary island date palm plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Water Date Palm Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Water Date Palm, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Water Date Palm?
Water Date Palm is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, palm aphids. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Water Date Palm Need?
Water Date Palm grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Water Date Palm is native to coastal regions of India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Sumatra, Vietnam and peninsular Malaysia. In cooler regions, grow Water Date Palm as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Water Date Palm is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Phoenix genus — compare its care with other Phoenix species on PlantoScan.
Phoenix is part of the Arecaceae plant family — browse all Arecaceae genera and species.
Water Date Palm thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Phoenix Species
Other Phoenix species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Phoenix paludosa Roxb., family Arecaceae (first published in Fl. Ind. ed. 1832 , 3: 789 (1832)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Water Date Palm, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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