How to Plant a Date Pit to Grow a Fruit-Bearing Tree at Home

Archaeologists have traced the cultivation of the date palm—also known as Phoenix dactylifera—back millennia. Centuries later, this tree's delicious fruits remain a staple in cuisines around the world, including Morocco, Pakistan, and the United States.

The luscious palms themselves also make a beautiful addition to any garden—so long as you have the space for them. Best of all? You can start growing one from a date pit. Here's how, plus some best practices for plant care.

Varieties to Consider

Tammy Sons, founder and CEO at TN Nursery, has seen success using Medjool and Deglet Noor varieties of dates. These are the two most widely grown dates in the United States.

However, you might also consider Ajwa, Khidri, or Sukkary dates, so long as you can find them. Just be sure when you purchase dates that you aren’t buying them with the pits removed—or you’ll be making a second trip.  

How to Grow a Date Palm From a Pit

You can use the seeds from any fresh dates you’ve purchased. Simply follow these steps.

Remove the Pit

Removing the pit is simple. Take a chopstick and slide it into the narrow end of the date. As you push the tool toward the top, it should hit the pit—also known as the stone—and pop out from the wider end. With most dates, you can also just peel the fruit away from the pit.

Rinse and Soak the Pit

You’ll want to wash any fruit particles from the pit, then soak it in a bowl of fresh water for 48 hours. Replace the water after the first full day.   

Germinate Your Pit

Sons suggests wrapping your pit in a moist paper towel, then placing it in a Ziploc bag until it forms sprouts, which usually takes 6 to 8 weeks. Replace the moist paper towel every 10 days to keep it fresh. 

Transplant the Pit

“Once the pit has sprouted, plant it in a deep container using cactus or palm soil that's fast draining,” Sons advises. “Leave just the pit peeking out of the soil.” 

Be sure to plant only one pit per container, and choose a pot that's deep and narrow. “This forces the roots to grow downward and results in a long taproot,” Sons advises. “Then, make sure the soil is just moist to the touch.” 

Best Care Practices

It can take up to four years for your plant to mature, and perhaps longer to produce fruit. Here are a few care tips from Anastasia Borisevich, plant expert at Plantum.

• Watering: The date palm requires regular watering to thrive. Water your tree deeply every two weeks in summer and once a month in winter. Container-grown date palms should be watered once the soil dries out completely.
• Temperature: These giants can’t stand cold air and grow best in a warm climate with mild winters. The conditions in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11 are ideal.
• Sunlight: The more, the better, because the date palm likes to bask in the sun. Moreover, plenty of sunlight is the main requirement for fruit development. That’s why locations that receive abundant sunlight are best.
• Soil: Good drainage is a must. Other than that, any soil type works for this tree—even salty and sandy growing mediums with any pH level.
• Humidity: High humidity is not this tree’s cup of tea, as it causes fungal issues and fruit rot. To keep your date palm healthy, plant it in an area with humidity between 20 to 40 percent.
• Repotting: As a rule, date palms are cultivated outdoors, as mature trees are way too big to be grown in containers. However, young trees can be potted—you’ll simply need to move them to a bigger pot every three to four years.
• Fertilizing: When it comes to fertilizing, there are several options. If you prefer organic fertilizers, manure is your best bet. Those who prefer commercial fertilizers need to opt for a special fertilizer for palm trees. Regardless of the type, apply the fertilizer in late winter to prepare your tree for the upcoming growing season.