Date palms are total classics for a reason—they’re easygoing houseplants that don’t ask for much. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to propagate yourself! Even if you’re new to the indoor gardening game, you can totally pull this off as long as you’ve got a little patience. Just a heads-up: date seeds aren’t in any rush, and it usually takes a few months for them to finally sprout.
Ways to Propagate
If you want to expand your palm collection, you’ve got two main options:
- Growing them from seeds
- Propagating via offshoots (pups)
Sowing Seeds
If you decide to go the seed route, get ready to play the waiting game. It can take several months before you see those first little green shoots poking through the soil.
- First, soak those hard seeds in lukewarm water for at least 24 hours. This helps soften the shell and kickstarts the germination process.
- For an extra boost, you can gently scuff the surface of the seeds with a bit of sandpaper.
- Plant the seeds in pots filled with a good seed-starting mix, covering them with about half an inch of soil.
- Find a bright, warm spot for your pots, but keep them out of direct sunlight for now.
- Keep the soil consistently moist, but make sure it’s not waterlogged—nobody likes soggy feet!
- Wait until the seedlings are about 4 inches tall. You’ll notice the leaves are long and ribbed at first; those iconic feathery fronds won’t show up for about two years.
- Once they’re sturdy enough, move your young palms into their own pots using a dedicated palm potting mix.
The Right Spot
Your young palms need a bright, warm home, but definitely keep them out of harsh, direct sun. Those delicate new leaves can sunburn easily! If you move them outside for the summer, make sure they’re sheltered from heavy wind and rain. When winter rolls around, they’ll need to come back inside to stay cozy.
Propagating with Offshoots
To try this method, you’ll need a mother plant that’s producing “pups” or side shoots in the spring. These little guys grow out of the soil right next to the main trunk. You can carefully cut these young plants away using a sharp, clean knife.
- Fill your starter pots with a well-draining substrate (a mix of compost and sand works great).
- Tuck the offshoots into the soil and press down firmly to make sure they’re secure.
- Give them a good drink and place them somewhere warm and bright—around 77°F (25°C) is the sweet spot.
- Keep the soil damp, but again, be careful not to overwater.
Once you see new leaf buds forming, you’ll know the offshoot has successfully taken root. You can repot your new palm as soon as you see roots starting to peek out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
