Coconut Palm Basics: Features, Climate, Planting, and Uses

Overview

Coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) is the most economically important palm—its fruit is the world’s most widely used nut. Grows year‑round in tropical climates.

Features

White flowers, evergreen leaves. Flowers at 4 years. Mature height ~60 ft.

Environment

No survival below 18°F; damage at 32°F. Found in FL, HI, NC, PR, USVI.

Planting

Hole ≥60 in. deep for root spread.

Uses

Food, fiber, building materials, chemicals. Shade tree in saline soils where other large trees fail.

Problems

Lethal yellowing, bud rot, trunk rot. Pests: scales, palm aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, palm weevils, caterpillars.