Cocos nucifera

‘Coconut Palm’

FAMILY: Cocos

USES: Provides a very strong and striking tropical effect. Used as a specimen, as a frame plant, in the background or for shade. Looks good in groups or informal clumps, skyline, silhouette, near pools, beaches, and seashore locations.

SIZE: Grows 12 – 18m tall with a 3 – 6m spread.

LOCATION: Full sun. Excellent wind resistance. Does well in humid locations. Struggles in the in the drier interior regions in midsummer unless planted in a lawn or beside a water body.

SOIL: Best in an organically enriched deep fertile free draining soil with a pH 5.1 – 7.8, strongly acidic to mildly alkaline. Subject to K deficiency if soil is too alkaline. Watch for Mn and Fe deficiency too.

FERTILISER: Apply a slow release 8:2:12 NPK + 4Mg, with trace elements at a rate of 700gr. Per 10m2 of canopy every six months.

WATER: Best with regular water, but is drought tolerant for short periods only, for best appearance. Does not accept waterlogging.