Coccothrinax alta
Description
Coccothrinax alta, commonly known as the Guano or Silver Palm, is a slender and elegant tropical palm known for its silver-green, fan-shaped fronds and tall, slender trunk. This palm is highly valued for its ornamental beauty and striking foliage, making it a standout feature in tropical and subtropical landscapes.
Flowers
The Silver Palm produces small, creamy-white flowers that grow in clusters on branched inflorescences among the leaves. These flowers are followed by small, round, black fruits, adding to the plant's ornamental interest.
Foliage
The leaves are palmate (fan-shaped) and silver-green, providing a shimmering appearance in the sunlight. Each leaf can reach up to 1 meter in diameter and is divided into multiple narrow segments that radiate from a central point. The leaf stalks (petioles) are slender and smooth, contributing to the palm's elegant look.
Fruit
The fruit is a small, round drupe that turns from green to black as it matures. While not typically consumed, the fruit adds seasonal interest to the plant.
Form and Size
The Silver Palm typically grows to a height of 6-15 meters with a spread of 1-2 meters. It has a single, slender, and smooth trunk that is topped with a crown of arching fronds. The trunk is grey and often marked by ringed leaf scars, contributing to its impressive appearance.
Growing Conditions
- Soil: Prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soils. It can tolerate poor soils and is drought-tolerant once established.
- Sunlight: Thrives in full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate a range of light conditions, making it adaptable to various garden settings.
- Water: Requires moderate watering, especially during dry periods. It prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate drought once established.
- Climate: Suitable for tropical and subtropical climates. It is relatively frost-tolerant but prefers warm, humid conditions.
Uses
- Landscaping: Ideal for use as a specimen plant, in group plantings, or as a focal point in gardens. It is also suitable for coastal gardens and xeriscaping.
- Ornamental: The silver-green, fan-shaped fronds and slender trunk provide a dramatic and exotic look, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of any garden or landscape.
- Containers: Can be grown in large containers for patios and poolside areas.
Maintenance
- Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Remove any dead or damaged fronds to maintain appearance. Take care when handling due to the sharp edges of the fronds.
- Fertilizing: Benefits from occasional feeding with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer during the growing season.
- Pest and Disease: Generally pest-resistant but can be susceptible to scale insects and spider mites. Ensure good air circulation and avoid waterlogging to minimize disease risk.
Notes
The Silver Palm is a versatile and low-maintenance plant that adds a distinctive tropical flair to any garden or landscape. Its unique silver-green foliage and elegant form make it a favorite among palm enthusiasts and landscape designers.
Companion Plants
- Agave americana (Century Plant)
- Heliconia spp. (Heliconia)
- Alpinia zerumbet (Shell Ginger)
- Strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise)
Common Name
Guano, Silver Palm
Botanical Name
Coccothrinax alta
Family
Arecaceae
Origin
Native to Cuba
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Please note that all Plants on this site are a range of plants we grow through out the year.
Availability changes all through out the year. please check with us via our Sunshine Coast Garden Centre page for Pricing & Availability
Product Availability
Plants & Pots come and go all year around.
- Plants are seasonal and sometimes we run out but have more batches coming along.
- Some Plants are not always in-stock however we can either order it in. pending availability
- Available numbers change every hour of the day in store and where we grow so please check in with us on how many you are looking for
- we have access to thousands of plants. if you are looking for a specific plant please let us know and we will see if its coming into stock soon or if we can order it for you.
- we will sometimes keep plants on our website to show you the description of how it grows and its specific characteristics. they may not be in stock all the time however we will keep it up online so when it comes in we wont have to reload products
Where are our plants Grown and how do we grow them
- Plants are grown locally on the Sunshine Coast
- All outdoor plants are sun hardened and ready to grow
- Indoor plants are grown under 50% Shade and will transfer perfectly to indoor use
- Orchids are also grown under 50% Shade and are best brought indoors during flowering for show then returned back into a shaded area until the following flowering time
- we are Qualified horticulturists, greenkeeper as well as Qualified landscape Construction with over 35 years experience in the industry. We use Quality products and materials to grow all our plants.
How to Look after your plants like we do
- When using any Garden Care products or Fertilisers we always recommend reading the label before use
- We recommend using Earthlife crushed rock mineral on all plants when planting in the ground or in Pots.
- When planting in Pots in Our garden centre we use either Rocky Point Premium Potting mix or our own custom potting mixes blend to plant all our plants
- If planting in the ground we also recommend that you use good quality Bagged garden soil around your plants at the time of planting
