Coconut Palm

Coconut palm is the most recognizable palm in the world. This tree grows 60-100 feet tall and 20-30 feet wide with huge leaves to 15 feet long. Coconut fruits hang in clusters under and among leaf bases. Immature fruits range in color from green to yellow or red, but all eventually turn brown. This palm is extremely drought-tolerant and can withstand salty soils. It’s a versatile plant used to make copra (coconut meat), coconut oil, coir (a material often added to potting mixes), and coconut milk.

Varieties of Coconut Palm

‘Panama Tall’ Coconut

Cocos nucifera ‘Panama Tall’ is also known as Pacific Tall coconut. It grows rapidly up to 100 feet tall and forms a large-diameter trunk. Immature fruits are either green or bronze colored. Plant in zones 10-11.

‘Fiji Dwarf’ Coconut

Cocos nucifera ‘Fiji Dwarf’ is a slow-growing palm that ultimately may reach 60 feet tall with a thick trunk. It reportedly has good resistance to lethal yellowing, a disease that can kill other coconut varieties. ‘Fiji Dwarf’ coconut is also sometimes called ‘Niu Leka’. It can have either bronze or green fruits. Plant in zones 10-11.