Can I grow this in a house?

No, it requires massive space and tropical conditions that are impossible to replicate indoors.

How long does the seed take to germinate?

Germination is extremely slow and can take up to two years.

Plant guide

Coco de mer.

Lodoicea maldivica

Pronounced loh-DOH-see-uh mal-dih-VIH-kuh

Also known as Double Coconut, Double Coconut Palm, Sea Coconut, Seychelles-nut, Seychellesnut, double-coconut, sea-coconut

The coco de mer is a legendary palm native to the Seychelles, famous for producing the largest seeds in the plant kingdom. It grows very slowly and requires specific tropical conditions to thrive. Because of its massive size and slow growth, it is rarely kept as a houseplant.

Another photo of Coco de mer — Photo by Michael Bakker Paiva (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Difficult
Plant type: Palm
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 30 meters
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 11 to 12
Bloom time: Irregular, typically throughout the year

Care

Provide high humidity and consistent warmth to mimic its native tropical environment. Watch for yellowing leaves which often indicate poor drainage or insufficient light. Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged to prevent root rot.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but ensure it does not sit in standing water.
Feeding: Use a balanced palm fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Only remove dead or damaged fronds to keep the plant healthy.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant has clearly outgrown its container, as palms dislike root disturbance.
Soil: Rich, well draining sandy loam
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 20 to 35°C
Humidity: 70 to 95%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for several hundred years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots circling the bottom of the container.
Stunted growth despite proper care.

Safety

People: The plant is not considered toxic to humans.
Children: The massive, heavy fruits pose a significant physical hazard if they fall near children.
Edibility: The endosperm of the seed is edible but the fruit is not consumed as a primary food source.

How to identify it

Massive fan shaped leaves
Largest seeds in plant kingdom
Tall unbranched trunk
Distinctive double lobed nut

Height: 20 to 30m
Spread: 3 to 5m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: yellow, brown, 1 to 3cm
Fruit: brown, tan, Year round

Problems to watch for

Root RotCommon
Red Palm WeevilUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring, summer, fall, winter
Overwintering: It requires constant tropical temperatures and cannot survive any frost or cold exposure.
In containers: It is not suitable for container growth due to its massive size and deep root requirements.

Seed propagation

1. Obtain a fresh, viable seed.
2. Place the seed on its side in a deep, well draining potting mix.
3. Keep the medium consistently moist and warm.
4. Wait patiently as germination can take many months.

This palm is best grown as a solitary specimen due to its immense size and specific environmental needs.

Similar species

Coconut palm · It is a related palm that also produces large, floating seeds.

Science

Family: Arecaceae
Genus: Lodoicea
Order: Arecales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Seychelles islands of Praslin and Curieuse.
Conservation: It is listed as endangered and is strictly protected in its native habitat.

It thrives in deep, nutrient rich soils within humid, tropical valley forests.

Value to wildlife: provides nesting sites, habitat for endemic fauna
Pollinators: bees, beetles
Uses: ornamental specimen, botanical curiosity

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 9/9
Moisture: 8/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in a house?: No, it requires massive space and tropical conditions that are impossible to replicate indoors.
How long does the seed take to germinate?: Germination is extremely slow and can take up to two years.

Where the name comes from

The name Lodoicea honors King Louis XV of France, while maldivica refers to the Maldives where the nuts were once found washed ashore.

Good to know

The seeds can weigh up to 30 kilograms.
It is endemic to only two islands in the Seychelles.
The tree can take up to 25 years to reach reproductive maturity.
The male and female flowers grow on separate trees.
It was once thought to grow on the ocean floor.

Also in

Deer-resistant plants

Keep your coco de mer growing

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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.