How close can I plant these palms?

[mxcolin]

I'm considering moving my Chinese Fan Palm, which is getting fried where it currently sits, to a spot next to my Date Palm. Does this look like enough space to plant it? It's currently in this container. Would there be a longer term issue with roots or would it be fine this close? There is about 5 feet from the edge of the Date Palm to the retaining wall. The Fan Palm is getting fried from the reflection coming from my neighbors windows, there is nothing I can really do about it unfortunately so I'm going to have to move it.

[Jim in Los Altos]

There are no “rules” about appropriate palm spacing. It’s all about the look you want to achieve. Close together for a lush jungle atmosphere, farther apart to appreciate single specimen beauty or a desert look. Chinese Fan palms don’t do well in full sun. Partial to full shade are best so, at the very least, plant where another palm can protect it from the sun’s direct rays as much as possible. 

As you can see by the photos below, I’m a big fan of dense palm planting. It works very well for me and the palms. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 4, 2020 by Jim in Los Altos

[Hferrell87]

I think you’ll be fine planting in that area and maybe favor it towards the Strelitzia. I don’t think it should be a problem from a competing root perspective. Maybe add a barrier between the two if it’s a concern.

I assume you want to keep the surrounding plants near the subject planting area?

Edited June 4, 2020 by Hferrell87

[mxcolin]

Awesome, those palms look fantastic. Yeah it will get more shade where I'm going to put it, more importantly it won't be getting fried by the reflection from the opposite window.

[mxcolin]

1 minute ago, Hferrell87 said:

To start, absolute gorgeous collection/garden!!

Secondly, I think you’ll be fine planting in that area and maybe favor it towards the Strelitzia. I don’t think it should be a problem from a competing root perspective. Maybe add a barrier between the two if it’s a concern.

I assume you want to keep the surrounding plants near the subject planting area?

I'll move them around a little. I've experimented with a few things in that spot.

[sonoranfans]

chinese fan palm, livistona chinensis likes water, date palm, phoenix actylifera, is a desert palm that survives in phoenix arizona without irrigation once established.   Generally these vastly different water requirements means the palms should be kept in different garden areas.  Date palms grow in phoenix arizona  as public plantings, not many palms can do that.  Bunching palms is a good strategy to save on water but mixing a wet lover and a desert palm is generally not going to keep both happy.

[sonoranfans]

A livistona mariae or rigida would be a better palm to put in an area with a date palm, they are much more sun and drought tolerant.  

[mxcolin]

I thought Date Palms liked water? I hear you though. I can rig the water differently.

[sonoranfans]

Yes date palms do like water but only in high drainage sandy soil.   https://gardenoracle.com/images/phoenix-dactylifera.html

They are probably not as sensitive as I thought, though with clay they might get root rot in winter.

[Jim in Los Altos]

11 hours ago, Johnny Palmseed said:

The centerpiece in the third picture? Howea?

Yes, Howea planted in 2002. It's in full sun early to mid afternoon. 

[96720]

Date palms love their roots in the water and their fronds in the sun

[Roullyme]

I think your palm wi be just fine

[AltanyCop]

In my experience, Chinese Fan Palms can handle being close to Date Palms, especially if they're not directly touching. Just make sure to provide proper watering and nutrients.