Delicious Coconuts, Home-Grown
The Coconut Palm is a well-known and beloved variety, prized for its large and delicious coconuts. With the ability to grow both outdoors and indoors, even those in the colder regions can enjoy their own home-grown coconuts.
This palm tree can be placed outside on warm, sunny days and moved indoors during colder months. Before you know it, your Coconut Palm will be producing large, juicy coconuts with soft, creamy flesh and rich coconut milk.
Coconuts are a super fruit, offering a plethora of health benefits. The water within them contains more electrolytes than any other liquid, while their flesh is high in iron, potassium, zinc, antioxidants, protein and more, making them an ideal snack for maintaining good health and energy levels.
Growing Coconut Palms at home allows you to save time and money, while also having a fresh, healthful snack right in your backyard. These coconuts are delicious when eaten raw or added to your favorite recipes.
Coconut Palms arrive growing out of a coconut, which sits atop their container for a unique and tropical appearance. As they mature, their bark becomes ringed and gray, and their fronds are covered in bright green leaflets. These palms grow to about 3-4 feet tall in containers and up to 50 feet tall when planted outdoors in growing zones 9 through 11, transforming your landscape into a tropical paradise.
The new green coconuts grow into creamy yellow blooms and eventually ripen into a shade of brown when they are ready to be harvested. These trees are both tough and low-maintenance, with high heat and drought tolerance, wind resistance, and the ability to grow indoors in low-light conditions. Plant your Coconut Palm and enjoy your fresh coconuts without any fuss.
Planting & Care
The Coconut Palm is an esteemed palm tree renowned for its abundant, delicious coconuts. Its scientific name, “Cocos nucifera Linn,” gives it a distinguished air. This palm thrives in USDA growing zones 4-8 on a patio or potted and 9-11 when planted in the ground under full to partial sun. As a slow-growing palm, it reaches a mature height of 20-30 feet tall and a width of 5-10 feet. If kept in a container, it will require periodic re-potting to ensure continued growth and health.
Planting Directions (in the ground):
When planting a Coconut Palm tree, it’s important to keep in mind its mature height to ensure it has enough space to grow.
To properly plant your Coconut Palm, follow these simple steps:
- Begin by digging a hole that is two to three times wider than the root ball and slightly shallower.
- Loosen the soil in and around the hole, allowing the roots to easily break through.
- Carefully separate the roots of the Coconut Palm with your fingers and position them downward in the hole. Make sure that the top of the root flare, where the roots end and the trunk begins, is about an inch above the surrounding soil.
- As you backfill the site, hold the tree straight and tamp down the soil.
- Once finished, water the tree to settle the soil and remove any air pockets.
Following these steps will ensure that your Coconut Palm is properly planted and has the best chance for healthy growth.
Planting Directions (potted):
When it comes to planting a Coconut Palm tree in a container, there are some key steps you’ll want to follow for optimal growth.
- Choose a container that allows for ample room for the plant’s roots to grow. A pot that is 1-2 times larger than the plant’s original pot should do the trick.
- Select a high-quality, acidic potting mix that is specifically designed for palms or citrus plants. This will provide the tree with the necessary nutrients it needs to thrive.
- Partially fill the container with potting mix and gently position the palm, then fill the remainder of the container with soil, making sure to leave a slight space from the rim of the pot.
- Consider the location of the container. Coconut palms prefer full to partial sun, so choose a spot on your patio, in your backyard, or near the front or side of your home that will receive adequate sunlight.
- Water your Coconut Palm until it begins to flow through the bottom drainage holes, and then maintain slightly moist soil without overwatering.
- If you plan to bring your Coconut Palm indoors during the winter, choose a sunny window location and water as needed. Be sure to protect the plant from drafts and avoid placing it too close to heat sources such as windows or vents.
Watering (in the ground):
Palm trees are known for their drought tolerance once they have established, but it is crucial to provide them with frequent watering during the establishment period. Allowing the soil to dry out will damage the palm tree’s root system, which may lead to stunted growth or even death. It is recommended to water the palm tree once the top 1-2 inches of soil have dried out. The frequency of watering will vary depending on the climate and the amount of rainfall received. Proper irrigation is essential for the optimal health and growth of palm trees.
Watering (potted):
To determine whether your palm tree requires watering, insert your finger about 2 inches deep into the potting soil and check for any moisture. If the soil feels dry, water the plant until you see water coming out of the drainage holes, then stop. If the soil is still moist, it is not necessary to water it until it dries out a bit more.
Pruning:
Palms generally require minimal pruning, typically limited to the removal of damaged fronds. It’s important to avoid tearing off dead or damaged fronds, as this can create wounds that may compromise the health of the tree. Instead, it’s recommended to use sterilized pruning shears to carefully remove any affected fronds. By using a sharp pair of shears, you can minimize the risk of creating ragged or uneven cuts that could further damage the tree. Regular inspection of the tree’s fronds can help you identify and address any issues before they become more serious.
Mulch:
To promote a healthy soil environment and reduce weed growth, it’s recommended to apply a thick layer of mulch around the palm tree trunk. This can be accomplished using wood chips, cypress bark, or lawn clippings. Additionally, mulching can help reduce water consumption. However, it’s important to avoid allowing the mulch to touch the trunk of the tree, as this can create an environment for rot and fungus to thrive.
Fertilizing:
Palm trees require adequate nutrients to thrive. However, the sandy and well-draining soil they favor tends to lose nutrients quickly. To counter this, applying palm fertilizers containing specific nutrients ideal for these trees is recommended. Slow release fertilizers ensure a steady and targeted feeding that helps promote the growth of strong and healthy palm trees. Alternatively, a balanced fertilizer such as an 8-8-8 formula can be used for faster growth during spring and summer. To maintain the healthy green shade of the fronds and avoid yellowing or shriveling, it is recommended to feed the tree with Epsom salt or a fertilizer rich in nutrients such as manganese. This will help to prevent the yellowing and withering of the fronds.
