Phoenix rupicola – Cliff Date Palm - Evergreen Trees Direct

Phoenix rupicola – Cliff Date Palm

Name: Phoenix rupicola – Cliff Date Palm
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
Price: 19000.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$19,000.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

1000 in stock

Size: Ex Ground

Ex Ground

Current Stock Height Guides

Ex Ground: 5m – 9m Approx.

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Phoenix rupicola – Cliff Date Palm

Phoenix rupicola, commonly known as the Cliff Date Palm, is a slender, single-stemmed palm with an elegant crown of arching, feather-like fronds. The trunk is clean, relatively smooth compared to other date palms, and grey-brown in colour. Mature trees can reach 8–10 metres in height with a spread of 3–5 metres, forming a refined, upright canopy well suited to tropical and subtropical landscapes. Small, cream-yellow flowers are borne on branched inflorescences, followed by ornamental dates that are not typically consumed.

This palm is moderately fast-growing in favourable conditions and performs best in warm, frost-free climates. It is not tolerant of heavy frosts but can handle light coastal exposure. Phoenix rupicola prefers full sun but will also grow in partial shade, especially during its juvenile stage. It is evergreen and low-maintenance, requiring only occasional removal of older fronds. Once established, it has moderate drought tolerance, though regular watering will enhance growth.

They look excellent when used as a focal specimen in courtyards, grouped in clusters for a tropical effect, or planted in avenues along driveways and civic landscapes. Their refined appearance also makes them popular near pools, patios, and public spaces where a compact palm with vertical structure is required.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Phoenix rupicola – Cliff Date Palm is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 6–12 m

Mature Width: 3–5 m

Phoenix rupicola – Cliff Date Palm is expected to grow 0.3–0.6 m per year (moderate).

Frost Tolerance

Is Phoenix rupicola – Cliff Date Palm frost tolerant?

Phoenix rupicola – Cliff Date Palm is Not Frost Tolerant – Cannot survive frost, should be avoided in frost-prone areas.

Flowering Information

Phoenix rupicola produces airy, branched inflorescences of creamy-yellow flowers in spring and early summer. These delicate blooms emerge beneath the graceful, arching fronds and create a soft tropical accent before developing into small ornamental dates.

Native Information

Is Phoenix rupicola – Cliff Date Palm an Australian Native? No

Phoenix rupicola – Cliff Date Palm is Native to Native to the foothills of the Himalayas in northeastern India and Bhutan.

Wildlife Value

Its discreet flowers attract pollinating insects, while the small fruits provide food for birds. The soft, arching canopy also creates sheltered microhabitats for small birds and beneficial insects, adding gentle biodiversity to tropical, courtyard and shaded garden plantings.

Sunlight Information

Phoenix rupicola – Cliff Date Palm will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preffered Soil

Phoenix rupicola performs best in well-drained loam or sandy soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained sites unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance aeration and drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then maintain deep, occasional watering as the palm matures to support root health, lush frond production and long-term vigour.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Cliff Date Palm

Genus: Phoenix

Botanical Species: Phoenix rupicola

Family: Arecaceae

Botanical Name: Phoenix rupicola

Landscape Uses

Feature Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes

Phoenix rupicola – Cliff Date Palm works in an:

Tropical Garden – lush, leafy planting for a resort-style atmosphere.
Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.

Planting, Spacing & Care

Select a sunny or lightly shaded, frost-free site.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and slightly shallower.
Backfill with free-draining soil enriched with compost.
Water deeply after planting and apply mulch around the base.
Stake young palms if exposed to wind until roots are well established.

Feature Planting: Space 8 – 12 m apart
Shade Canopy: Space 10 – 15 m apart
Avenue Planting: Space 10 – 12 m apart

Water regularly during establishment; occasional deep watering once mature.
Apply slow-release palm fertiliser in spring and summer.
Remove old fronds at the base to maintain a tidy crown.

Sandy soils: Performs well with supplementary watering and organic mulching.
Loamy soils: Ideal growing conditions with strong root establishment.
Clay soils: Requires improved drainage; avoid heavy, waterlogged sites.
Coastal soils: Tolerates mild salt exposure if sheltered from direct sea spray.
Poor soils: Will grow if supplemented with organic matter and fertiliser.

Phoenix rupicola – Cliff Date Palm is expected to grow 0.3–0.6 m per year (moderate).

Medium Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Ideal Conditions

Tropical QLD (Cairns, Townsville)
Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal

Thrives in

Full Sun
Part Shade

Frost Tolerance

Not Frost Tolerant – Cannot survive frost, should be avoided in frost-prone areas.

Drought Tolerance

As a young palm it requires regular watering, and once established the Cliff Date Palm offers moderate drought tolerance. It prefers consistent moisture in well-drained soils but will tolerate short dry periods when supported with deep, occasional watering to maintain healthy fronds and steady growth.