How fast does it grow?

It is a very slow grower, often adding only a few centimeters of trunk height per year.

Does it need full sun?

Yes, it thrives best in full sun to maintain its structural integrity and health.

Plant guide

Chilean wine palm.

Jubaea chilensis

Pronounced joo-BEE-uh chi-LEN-sis

Also known as Chile Cocopalm, Chilean coco palm, Chilean wine palm, coquito palm, honey palm, little cokernut, syrup palm

Jubaea chilensis — Photo by Nutri Gabi Barrera (CC0) via gbif

The Chilean wine palm is a majestic, slow growing giant native to central Chile. It is famous for its incredibly thick, sturdy trunk and feathery, arching fronds. This palm is a long lived specimen that adds a dramatic architectural element to large landscapes.

Another photo of Chilean wine palm — Photo by Cesar Ormazabal (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Palm
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 60 to 80 feet
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 8 to 10
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Plant this palm in a spot with plenty of space to accommodate its eventual size. Ensure the soil drains well to prevent root rot, and watch for yellowing fronds which may indicate nutrient deficiencies. It is quite hardy once established but needs consistent care while young.

Watering: Water deeply and regularly while the palm is young, allowing the soil to dry slightly between sessions.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow release palm fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Remove only dead or damaged fronds to maintain the health and appearance of the tree.
Repotting: Repot only when the palm has clearly outgrown its container, as they prefer not to be disturbed.
Soil: Well draining, sandy or loamy soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -12 to 40°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for several hundred years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots circling the bottom of the pot
Stunted growth despite proper care

Safety

People: The plant is not considered toxic to humans.
Children: The sharp, woody leaf bases pose a physical injury risk if children climb or play near the trunk.
Contact allergens: The stiff, sharp leaf bases can cause skin scratches or irritation during handling.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may cause mild respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals during the flowering season.
Edibility: The fruit is edible, but the hard shell requires significant effort to open and process.

How to identify it

Massive, smooth, grey trunk
Large, pinnate, arching green fronds
Slow growing, thick base
Produces small, edible, coconut like fruits

Height: 6 to 20m
Spread: 3 to 6m
Leaves: dark green, grayish green, evergreen
Flowers: yellow, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: yellow, brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring, early autumn
Overwintering: Ensure the soil is well drained to prevent freezing around the roots. Mature plants are quite hardy, but young specimens may benefit from frost cloth during extreme cold snaps.
In containers: It can be grown in large containers while young, but will eventually require planting in the ground.

Seed germination

Clean the pulp from the seed.
Soak seeds in warm water for 48 hours.
Sow in a deep pot with well draining soil.
Keep warm and moist, as germination can take several months.

Plant drought tolerant Mediterranean herbs around the base to create a low water landscape.

Grows well with

Lavender · It shares similar requirements for full sun and well drained soil.
Rosemary · This shrub thrives in the same dry, sunny conditions as the palm.

Similar species

Butia capitata · It has a similar appearance but is smaller and faster growing.

Science

Family: Arecaceae
Genus: Jubaea
Order: Arecales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Central Chile
Conservation: It is classified as vulnerable in its native habitat due to historical overharvesting for palm syrup.

It grows in Mediterranean climates on rocky slopes where it survives long, dry summers.

Value to wildlife: provides nesting habitat, food source for birds
Pollinators: bees, beetles
Uses: ornamental specimen, culinary palm syrup, landscape focal point

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 3/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How fast does it grow?: It is a very slow grower, often adding only a few centimeters of trunk height per year.
Does it need full sun?: Yes, it thrives best in full sun to maintain its structural integrity and health.

Where the name comes from

The genus name honors Juba II, a king of Numidia, while the species name refers to its native Chile.

Good to know

It is the most cold hardy of all pinnate leaved palms.
The sap is traditionally boiled down to make a sweet syrup.
These palms grow very slowly, often taking decades to reach maturity.
The seeds are known as coquitos and are sometimes used in confectionery.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.