How to Grow Barhi Date
Wikimedia Commons
Barhi Date
Phoenix dactylifera 'Barhi'
fruitBarhi is a cultivar of date palm renowned for its exceptionally sweet, soft-fleshed dates that can be eaten while still yellow or at the brown stage. It produces moderate yields of relatively small, round fruits with a rich, caramel-like flavor. This is a premium date variety prized in Middle Eastern cuisines and gaining popularity in warm-climate regions worldwide.
When should you plant Barhi Date in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Barhi Date timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Barhi Date
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Barhi Date
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Barhi Date dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in USDA zones 9b-11; requires very warm, dry climate
Sign up free to see if Barhi Date grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Barhi Date timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
6-12 monthsYoung palm developing root system and trunk; minimal visible growth above ground in first year
Water regularly but avoid waterlogging. Protect from wind and intense sun if very young. Mulch base to retain moisture.
Vegetative Growth
2-4 yearsPalm develops fronds and increases in height; no flowers yet. Fronds are pinnate, feathery, and blue-green
Establish consistent watering schedule. Fertilize monthly with balanced palm fertilizer. Remove dead fronds. Monitor for pests.
Flowering & Fruit Set
2-3 months (spring)Male or female flowers appear in spadix clusters within the crown. Female flowers develop into small green fruit
Hand-pollinate if male palms are distant or absent. Thin heavy fruit clusters if desired. Increase potassium fertilization.
Fruit Development
3-4 months (late spring through summer)Dates enlarge and begin color transition from green to yellow, then amber or brown depending on variety and harvest stage
Monitor for pest damage. Reduce irrigation slightly to concentrate sugars. Support heavy fruit clusters if needed. Track ripeness.
Harvest Maturity
2-4 weeks (mid to late summer)Dates reach optimal size and sweetness; yellow stage for Barhi (Barhi sugar at 24-28% Brix is peak eating quality)
Harvest when fruit reaches desired color and firmness. Can pick at yellow (khalal) stage for best texture and flavor. Handle carefully to avoid bruising.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Monitor for larvae in trunk; use pheromone traps; inject insecticides into trunk if infested; quarantine affected palms; remove and destroy severely infested trees
-
Prune affected fronds; spray with neem oil or horticultural oil; improve air circulation; monitor undersides of fronds regularly
-
Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural predators; heavy water spray to dislodge bugs
-
Remove infested fruit; maintain orchard sanitation; apply light oil sprays during fruit development; thin clusters to improve air flow
-
Use disease-resistant rootstocks; avoid overhead irrigation; remove infected palms; sterilize tools; maintain soil drainage
Uses
Premium Fresh Dessert Dates
CulinaryBarhi dates are considered the finest fresh date for eating out-of-hand, especially at the khalal (yellow) stage when the flesh is creamy and caramel-sweet. They are also used in baking, desserts, and Middle Eastern confectionery. [source]
Date Paste & Spreads
CulinaryThe high sugar content and soft flesh of Barhi make it ideal for creating date paste, date butter, and sweetening spreads without additional processing. [source]
Traditional Medicine & Nutrition
MedicinalDates are rich in fiber, minerals (potassium, magnesium, copper), and antioxidants. In traditional medicine, dates are used to support digestive health, provide sustained energy, and supply essential nutrients. [source]
Natural Sweetener
HouseholdBarhi dates can be blended into date syrup or date molasses as a natural sweetener for beverages, recipes, and whole-food desserts. [source]
Wildlife & Pollinator Support
WildlifeDate palm flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and pollinators, while ripened fruit attracts birds. The palm itself offers nesting habitat. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Barhi dates are exceptional because they can be harvested at the yellow (khalal) stage when flesh is still soft and texture buttery—this is peak eating quality with caramel-like sweetness. Harvest by cutting fruit clusters with pruning shears. Yellow-stage fruit is ready when it yields slightly to gentle pressure and tastes intensely sweet. Can also allow to brown (tamar stage) for longer storage. Harvest in mid to late summer. Dates will not continue ripening after picking, so harvest at desired stage.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Barhi dates earned the nickname 'candy date' in Middle Eastern markets due to their exceptional sweetness and buttery, custard-like texture at the yellow khalal stage—some consider them the world's best-tasting date variety.
- 🌱 Date palms are dioecious (separate male and female trees), and a single male tree can pollinate 40+ female trees; hand-pollination of Barhi females in commercial orchards ensures consistent, high-quality fruit production.
- 🌱 Barhi dates have a relatively short season of peak eating quality (khalal stage) lasting only 2-4 weeks, making them less shelf-stable than brown tamar dates but prized by specialty date importers and high-end Middle Eastern restaurants.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Barhi Date planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Barhi Date seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Barhi Date timeline →