Species double coconut palm
oval-shaped, american football-like, brown-green fruits with large, green, fan-shaped leaves with green stem

double coconut palm

Lodoicea maldivica

The double coconut palm (Lodoicea maldivica) is a species of flowering plant found on small islands off the coast of Madagascar and the Seychelles. It is an evergreen tree that can reach up to 30 meters in height, and that has a rounded crown made of very large, pinnate leaves. Its trunk is both smooth and thick, and its large green fruits have two kernels which are surrounded by a thick leathery husk, giving this palm its name. This species is one of the rarest plants on Earth, critically endangered due to poaching and habitat destruction, and therefore is heavily protected by conservationists.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Offsets,Air Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

10 - 12

Flowers:

Catkin-like, purple (male) green-brown (female) Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Fruits:

yellow,orange Fruits Ready In Summer

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Extreme

watering

Double coconut palm plants typically require thorough yet infrequent watering. Water deeply into the soil once every 10 to 14 days whenever the soil is dry to the touch. Water the base of the palm and allow the water to slowly soak in for 2 or 3 minutes. Avoid overwatering as it can cause root rot. Soil should be kept moist but not soggy or water-logged. When breaking dormancy during winter months, reduce watering frequency to every 2 to 3 weeks.

sunlight

The double coconut palm (Lodoicea maldivica) enjoys bright sunlight. This plant will thrive in direct sunlight for 6 to 8 hours a day, but will still tolerate a few hours of shade or partial shade. These palms also do best in semi-warm climate, with temperatures between 65 to 85 degrees F (18 to 30 degrees C).

pruning

The double coconut palm (Lodoicea maldivica) is native to the Seychelles and is a very slow-growing species with a long life span. As a result, it is rarely necessary to prune this species. In general, it is best to only prune double coconut palms if damage poses a risk to the tree or if the canopy becomes too dense. If trimming is needed, it should be done in the summer or autumn when there is reduced risk of shock to the tree. Dead, diseased, or broken branches should be pruned away any time of the year. It is usually sufficient to only remove a few branches from the crown of the tree, avoiding removal of too much of the canopy.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

The double coconut palm typically starts flowering in April.

Harvest Fruit

The double coconut palm is native to the Seychelles Islands and is typically harvested between April and July.

Harvest Fruit

The double coconut palm is native to the Seychelles Islands and is typically harvested between April and July.

Hardiness Map