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Coconut Palm Cocos nucifera
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 « Return |
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| Exposure |
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Bright indirect light |
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| Average Height x Width |
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6’ 8’ T x 4’ 5’ W |
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| Typical Height |
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50’ - 80’ |
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| Water Requirements |
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Water regularly as needed |
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| Spacing |
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10’ - 15’ apart |
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| Cold Hardiness |
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Above 65° - Keep from freezing |
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| Hardiness Zone |
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10B - 11 |
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| Growth Rate |
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Moderate |
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| Origin |
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Probably the Pacific Islands, but now distributed |
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| Salt Tolerance |
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High |
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| Drought Tolerance |
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High |
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| Soil Requirements |
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Widely adaptable |
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| Light Requirements |
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High |
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| Nutritional Requirements |
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Moderate |
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| Uses |
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Shade tree, specimen tree, edible fruit, commercial source of oil & fiber |
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| Propagation |
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Seed, germinating in 4 - 6 months |
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| Human Hazards |
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None |
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| Major Pest Problems |
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Palm aphid, coconut mite, red ring nematode (outside U.S.) |
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| Major Disease Problems |
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Susceptible to lethal yellowing (varies with cultivar); potassium deficiency, phytophthora bud rot, ganoderma |
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Coconut Palms are the universal symbol of the tropics, and inarguably the world’s most economically important palm, Copra (the dried ”meat”of the seed), from which oil is extracted, is a significant cash crop throughout the tropics. Coir, the fiber from the fruit husk, is widely used in manufacturing. The fruits yield several food products at different stages of development, and the leaves are used for thatch or are woven into baskets, mats and clothing. Even the trunks have been utilized for construction. The trees are valued for their ability to adapt to exposed coastal location, prospering best in areas with high rainfall, high water tables (though long-term flooding is not tolerated), and warm temperatures. In frost-free but cool climates, the palms grow more slowly and may not flower. Lethal yellowing is the most serious problem of coconuts. The disease is presently incurable, and is spread by a tropical leaf hopper bug. A program of antibiotic injections will temporarily suspend the decline of the infected pallms while resistant replacements are being established now. |
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