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Publication #ENH336

 

Cocos nucifera: Coconut Palm1

Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2

Introduction

The Coconut Palm is one of man's most useful plants. The heavy crown of long flowing fronds and gently curved trunks lend a tropical effect to any landscape setting in which they can grow. A beautiful street tree, Coconut Palm is also ideal as a background tree, framing tree, or as a striking freestanding specimen. Coconut Palms located along streets, walkways or near patios require pruning to remove the flowers or developing fruit so it doesn't fall and cause injury or property damage.

Figure 1. 

Cocos nucifera: Coconut Palm


Credit:

©G.A. Cooper. Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution, Department of Systematic Biology-Botany. United States, FL, Miami-Dade Co., Miami.


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General Information

Scientific name: Cocos nucifera
Pronunciation: KOE-koase noo-SIFF-er-uh
Common name(s): Coconut Palm
Family: Arecaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 10B through 11 (Fig. 2)
Figure 2. 

Range


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Origin: not native to North America
Invasive potential: According to the IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas (IFAS Invasive Plant Working Group 2008), Cocos nucifera is invasive and not recommended in the south zone in Florida (to see if any exceptions for specified and limited use have been approved since publication, check the Conclusions Table at: http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/assessment/conclusions.html). It should be treated with caution in the central zone in Florida, may be recommended but managed to prevent escape. It is not considered a problem species and may be recommended in the north zone in Florida (counties listed by zone at: http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/assessment/pdfs/assess_counties.pdf)
Uses: sidewalk cutout (tree pit); reclamation; urban tolerant; fruit; specimen; street without sidewalk; tree lawn 3-4 feet wide; tree lawn 4-6 feet wide; tree lawn > 6 ft wide; highway median
Availability: not native to North America

Description

Height: 50 to 60 feet
Spread: 15 to 25 feet
Crown uniformity: symmetrical
Crown shape: palm, upright/erect
Crown density: open
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: coarse

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: spiral (Fig. 3)
Leaf type: odd-pinnately compound
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: linear
Leaf venation: parallel
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: 18 to 36 inches
Leaf color: green, yellow
Fall color: no color change
Fall characteristic: not showy

Figure 3. 

Fruit


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Flower

Flower color: white/cream/gray
Flower characteristics: not showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: oval, round
Fruit length: 6 to 12 inches
Fruit covering: dry or hard
Fruit color: brown, green, yellow
Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; showy; fruit/leaves a litter problem

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches don't droop; not showy; typically one trunk; thorns
Pruning requirement: little required
Breakage: resistant
Current year twig color: not applicable
Current year twig thickness:
Wood specific gravity: unknown

Culture

Light requirement: full sun
Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; alkaline; acidic; well-drained
Drought tolerance: high
Aerosol salt tolerance: high

Other

Roots: not a problem
Winter interest: no
Outstanding tree: no
Ozone sensitivity: unknown
Verticillium wilt susceptibility: resistant
Pest resistance: sensitive to pests/diseases

Use and Management

Due to the widespread devastation of lethal yellowing disease, use the resistant Malayan strains, often called dwarf or pygmy coconuts, and labelled yellow, golden, red, and green, according to the color of their fruits, such as `Golden Malayan Dwarf'. The Malayan palms are very similar to the Jamaican Tall except for having straight trunks. The red strain is the most rugged of the three but has the least attractive foliage. The variety `Maypan', a hybrid of Malayan x Panama Tall, has the most robust and rapid growth yet retains its resistance to lethal yellowing disease. All Coconut Palms are highly salt-tolerant and make nice street trees if planted when they are tall enough. Be aware that falling fruit can damage vehicles or hit pedestrians and the flower stalks (in spring) or developing fruit (summer) may need to be removed.

Coconut Palms grow in full sun on any well-drained soils. Plants respond well to being fertilized.

Propagation is by seed. The large coconuts, with outer husk, should be half-buried on their side in soil. Germination can take many months.

Pests

Nematodes may infest this palm.

Diseases

Lethal yellowing disease, virus diseases, and fungi all affect Coconut Palms. Be sure to only plant selections which are resistant to lethal yellowing disease. Ganoderma butt rot can infect the lower trunk and roots, and can kill the palm. Avoid injury to the palm in this area. There is no control for butt rot, only prevention.

Literature Cited

Fox, A.M., D.R. Gordon, J.A. Dusky, L. Tyson, and R.K. Stocker (2008) IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas: Status Assessment. Cited from the Internet (November 16, 2012), http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/assessment/pdfs/status_assessment.pdf

Footnotes

1.

This document is ENH336, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date November 1993. Revised February 2013. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, former associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.