Experienced grower's notes on Pygmy Date Palm

I've been growing plants seriously for over fifteen years and Pygmy Date Palm remains a reliable favourite. For anyone starting out: the most critical thing is planting in free-draining soil to prevent crown rot. Everything else follows from that.

crown damage and death in severe or prolonged frost is the challenge that trips up most beginners and some experienced growers too. I've been growing mine in a sheltered sunny courtyard or walled garden for three seasons now and the results are consistently good. long-lived structure that becomes more impressive over decades is what makes it worth coming back to year after year. cold weather protection needed in winter for tender varieties is when I show it off — it earns its place fully then.