Phoenix roebelenii is a small to medium-sized, slow-growing slender tree growing to 2–3 metres (6.6–9.8 ft) tall. The leaves are 60–120 cm (24–47 in) long, pinnate, with around 100 leaflets arranged in a single plane. Each leaflet is 15–25 cm (6–10 in)long and 1 cm broad, slightly drooping, and grey-green in colour with scurfy pubescence below.