About
Cocos nucifera is a solitary palm that can reach heights of up to 25 meters in tropical climates. This species is valued for its graceful structure and the production of edible seeds, commonly known as coconuts. In regions susceptible to frost, young plants may be cultivated as temporary foliage in a warm conservatory or maintained as indoor houseplants.
About the genus
Cocos is a genus comprising a single species, Cocos nucifera, commonly recognized as the coconut tree. This palm serves numerous functions, including providing food and beverages, medicinal applications, ingredients for beauty products, coir for various uses, and materials for furnishings and decorative purposes.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1A
Plant details
- Plant type
- Palms, Trees, Fruit Edible
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants
- Native to
- Coastal tropical regions
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Under glass grow in peat-free. loam-based potting compost with additional sharp sand and fibrous organic matter, in full or bright filtered light with moderate humidity. In the growing season water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter. See palm cultivation indoors
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by soaking a fresh coconut (with husk still on) in warm water for 3 days. Then half bury the coconut, pointed end down, in a pot of peat-free, loam-based compost with additional sharp sand and fibrous organic matter. Water well and seal the whole lot up in a large plastic bag, putting it in a warm place and checking frequently for signs of germination; this may take 3-6 months
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects and mealybugs
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free