Cocos nucifera - Regular coconut palm
Description
Cocos nucifera, commonly known as the Coconut Palm, is one of the most iconic and widely recognized tropical palms. Known for its tall, slender trunk and large, feathery fronds, this palm is not only valued for its ornamental beauty but also for its economic importance, providing coconuts used for food, oil, and other products.
Flowers
The Coconut Palm produces small, creamy-yellow flowers that grow in large, branched inflorescences among the leaves. These flowers are followed by the well-known coconut fruit, which matures over a period of 12 months.
Foliage
The leaves are pinnate and arching, with numerous narrow leaflets arranged along the length of the frond. Each frond can reach up to 4-6 meters in length. The leaflets are bright green, providing a lush and tropical appearance. The foliage creates a dense, feathery canopy that is both elegant and functional for shade.
Fruit
The fruit of the Coconut Palm is a large, fibrous drupe known as the coconut. The outer husk is green when immature, turning brown as it matures. Inside, the coconut contains a hard shell with coconut water and edible white flesh (coconut meat). Coconuts are highly valued for their nutritional and commercial uses.
Form and Size
The Coconut Palm typically grows to a height of 20-30 meters with a spread of 4-6 meters. It has a tall, slender, and slightly curved trunk that is topped with a crown of large, arching fronds. The trunk is smooth and grey, often marked by ringed leaf scars, contributing to its majestic appearance.
Growing Conditions
- Soil: Prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soils. It can tolerate saline conditions, making it suitable for coastal areas.
- Sunlight: Thrives in full sun. It requires plenty of sunlight to grow and produce coconuts.
- Water: Requires regular watering, especially during dry periods. It prefers consistently moist soil but can tolerate brief periods of drought.
- Climate: Suitable for tropical and subtropical climates. It prefers warm, humid conditions and is frost-sensitive. The optimal temperature range is 24-29°C (75-84°F).
Uses
- Landscaping: Ideal for tropical-themed gardens, beach landscapes, and as a focal point in large gardens. It is also suitable for coastal areas due to its salt tolerance.
- Commercial: The coconut fruit is harvested for its water, milk, oil, and meat, which are used in a variety of food products and industrial applications.
- Ornamental: The tall, slender trunk and large, arching fronds provide a dramatic and exotic look, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of any garden or landscape.
Maintenance
- Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Remove any dead or damaged fronds and old coconuts to maintain appearance and health.
- Fertilizing: Benefits from regular applications of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer, especially in sandy soils. Additional magnesium and potassium may be beneficial.
- Pest and Disease: Generally pest-resistant but can be susceptible to lethal yellowing disease, scale insects, and spider mites. Ensure good air circulation and proper spacing to minimize disease risk.
Notes
The Coconut Palm is a versatile and iconic plant that adds a distinctive tropical flair to any garden or landscape. Its economic importance and striking form make it a valuable and cherished species worldwide.
Companion Plants
- Heliconia spp. (Heliconia)
- Alpinia zerumbet (Shell Ginger)
- Strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise)
- Bougainvillea spp. (Bougainvillea)
Common Name
Coconut Palm
Botanical Name
Cocos nucifera
Family
Arecaceae
Origin
Tropical regions around the world, believed to be native to the Indo-Pacific region
Read lessQuantity:
In Stock
Sold out
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
