Coconut Palm.

De un vistazo

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Palm

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 2 to 5 days

Mature size

20 to 30 meters

Growth rate

medium

Hardiness

USDA 10 to 12

Bloom time

Year-round in tropical climates

Cuidados

Keep your palm in a spot with plenty of direct sunlight and high humidity. Ensure the soil remains consistently moist but well-draining to prevent root rot. Watch for yellowing fronds, which often signal a need for more magnesium or micronutrients.

Watering

Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.

Feeding

Apply a balanced palm fertilizer with micronutrients every three months.

Pruning

Remove only dead or dying fronds to maintain tree health.

Repotting

Repot only when the palm becomes severely root-bound.

Soil

Sandy, well-draining soil

Soil pH

5.5 to 7.5

Temperature

15 to 35°C

Humidity

60 to 90%

Drought tolerance

moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 60 to 80 years.

Fragrance

light

Deer and rabbits

high

Seguridad

People

The plant is generally considered non toxic to humans.

Pets

The coconut palm is non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

Heavy falling coconuts are a serious safety risk for children playing near the base of the tree.

Contact allergens

The fibrous husk can cause minor skin irritation if handled frequently without gloves.

Airborne allergens

Pollen from the flowers may trigger seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.

Edibility

While the fruit is edible, falling coconuts pose a significant physical hazard to people and property.

Cómo identificarla

• Tall, slender, ringed trunk
• Large, pinnate, feathery fronds
• Clusters of large, fibrous drupes
• Slightly curved or leaning trunk

Height

5 to 30m

Spread

3 to 6m

Leaves

green, evergreen

Flowers

yellow, cream, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

green, brown, Year-round

Problemas frecuentes

• Lethal Yellowing — A phytoplasma infection spread by insects that causes leaves to yellow and the tree to die.
• Coconut Mite — Tiny mites that feed on developing fruit, causing scarring and stunted growth.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagation

seed

When to plant

Spring, Summer

Overwintering

It must be kept in a warm, frost free environment at all times as it cannot survive cold temperatures.

In containers

It is not suitable for long term container growth due to its massive root system and height.

Plant low growing salt tolerant groundcovers to help retain moisture in the sandy soil.

Buenas compañeras

• Beach Morning Glory — It acts as a living mulch that stabilizes sandy soil around the base.
• Sea Grape — It shares similar salt and wind tolerance requirements.

Mantenla lejos de

• None notable — The tree is generally solitary in its growth habit.

Especies parecidas

• Queen Palm — It has a similar appearance but is much more cold tolerant.

Ciencia

Family

Arecaceae

Genus

Cocos

Order

Arecales

Class

Liliopsida

Native range

Tropical regions across the Indo-Pacific.

Conservation

This species is widely cultivated and not of conservation concern in its natural range.

It thrives in sandy, saline coastal soils where its buoyant seeds are dispersed by ocean currents.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, nesting habitat

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Uses

culinary fruit, ornamental landscaping, fiber production, oil extraction

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

How much sun does it need?

It requires full sun to produce fruit.

Can I grow this indoors?

It is difficult to maintain indoors long term due to its massive size and high light requirements.

De dónde viene el nombre

The genus name Cocos is derived from the Portuguese word for skull, while nucifera means nut bearing.

Bueno saberlo

• Coconuts can float for months in saltwater and still sprout.
• The name comes from the Portuguese word coco, meaning head or skull, referring to the three indentations on the shell.
• Every part of the tree has a use, from the leaves for thatch to the trunk for timber.