Coconut Tree

Coconuts are well known throughout the world. They are the iconic symbol of a tropical environment, hanging in bunches on enormous coconut palm trees. Did you ever stop to wonder where in the world coconuts grow?

Coconuts grow on the coconut palm tree. These trees typically only grow in tropical regions from 25 degrees north latitude to 25 degrees south latitude. Coconut palms grow in places like Australia, the Pacific Islands, Florida, the Caribbean, and Indonesia.

Read on to learn about all the regions of the world where coconut palm trees grow. We’ll also go over the best conditions to grow one yourself!

Why Coconut Palm Trees Only Grow In Certain Places

Before we get into all the places where you can find coconut trees, let’s talk about some of the basics of a coconut palm tree so you can understand just why they grow where they do.

Let’s get into it!

Coconut Tree Characteristics

There are two varieties of coconut trees: tall and dwarf. The tall version of this tree is the one we are all most familiar with. According to the University of Florida, it can reach heights of 100 feet!

For a more in-depth look at the coconut tree’s potential height, check out our article about how tall coconut trees grow.

Because coconut palms often live near shorelines, the trunk is usually bending one way or the other due to the wind. In addition, the coconut palm is thicker at its base to better withstand the wind without being knocked over.

The leaves of a coconut palm tree are huge. They can grow up to 18 feet long. That’s almost as long as your average giraffe is tall! The leaves are arranged in a spiraling pattern, each containing leaflets that can extend up to 5 feet long.

How Do Coconuts Form On The Coconut Palm Tree?

If you’ve ever seen a coconut, it’s hard to imagine how something like that could grow on a tree. Coconuts are big, weighing in at about 3 pounds when fully mature. The enormous size of the coconut palm tree is the only thing that allows it to handle such heavy fruit.

Wait…fruit? Yes, coconuts are considered a fruit. And just to add to the confusion, they’re also considered a tree nut!

Coconuts form from a canoe-shaped flower pod. When the flower pods open, it contains both the male and female flowers on the same pod. The male flowers open first, and then the female flowers.

The flowers contain sweet nectar that attracts bees, which often travel between the male and female flowers. If the female flower gets pollinated, it will eventually turn into a coconut.

The entire process takes about 6 months before the coconut can be harvested for drinking. However, this is not a fully mature coconut. Those can take over a year, and will typically turn brown and fall to the ground on their own.

Coconut palm trees have a huge advantage over non-tropical trees – they produce fruit year-round. Every lunar cycle new flowers will emerge. As long as they are pollinated, new coconuts will form.

If you are looking at a coconut palm tree from below, you’ll be looking at the oldest coconuts. The new coconuts form in a spiraling pattern, similar to the leaves, and continue to spiral upward as they form.

Climate And Soil Requirements To Grow A Coconut Palm Tree

If you happen to live in one of the regions discussed below, you might be interested in growing a coconut palm tree yourself. Additionally, this will also clarify the common places where coconuts grow as well.

Without further ado, what exactly is needed to grow a coconut palm tree?

Temperature: The best temperature for germination happens around 95℉, however, according to Penn State University anywhere that has an average temp around 80℉ will do just fine. If the temperature drops below 72℉ while growing, growth could be stunted.

Soil: Coconut palm trees prefer soil that has a pH between 5.0 and 8.0. They can grow in just about any soil as long as it is well-draining. 

Sun: Coconut palms love the sun! They prefer full sun and do not grow well under shady conditions.

Timing: Since coconut palms grow in tropical regions, they can be planted at any time of the year. However, the warm and wet summer months tend to yield the best results. 

Rainfall: The amount of water a tree receives naturally is an important factor in where it can thrive. Coconut trees prefer areas with a little heavier rainfall, around 30-50 inches per year. 

For more information about watering your coconut tree, check out our article on watering requirements for your coconut tree.

Fertilizer: Coconut palm trees will thrive with a fertilizer like Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed Palm Plant Food. It is rich in magnesium, iron, and manganese, which help palm trees grow quickly. According to a study published in the Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, boron is also a highly effective fertilizer.

9 Common Places That Coconuts Grow

Now that we know a little more about the amazing coconut palm tree, let’s check out where it grows!

Florida

Florida is one of only two states in the United States that can grow coconut palm trees. The other is Hawaii, but we’ll get to Hawaii later.

Coconut palm trees grow best in humid environments where the temperature averages around 80℉. They love the sun and prefer to grow on ocean shores since they are tolerant of salty conditions.

Sounds like Florida to me! 

Even though Florida has a lot of good stuff to offer coconut palm trees, only the southern tip of the state offers optimal growing conditions.

Natural coconut palms are rarely found inland because they evolved to disperse via the ocean currents. The only way you will find them inland is if a human carried the coconut seed and planted it. 

Needless to say, coconuts prefer to live on coastal shores. In Florida, you can find coconut palm trees on the east coast from Stuart down to Key West and on the west coast from Punta Gorda down to Key West.

Did you know that palm trees can grow in New Orleans? Typically however, coconut trees are not commonly grown there.

Hawaii

Hawaii may be a part of the United States, but the islands have a very rich, deep-rooted culture that differs vastly from that of folks living in the contiguous states. 

The coconut palm tree is not native to Hawaii. It was first brought over by the original Polynesian settlers and thrived in the tropical climate.

Nowadays, coconut palm trees can be found on all 8 islands of Hawaii – Ni’ihau, Kaua’i, O’ahu, Moloka’i, Lana’i, Maui, Kaho’olawe, and Hawai’i. They can also be found on the uninhabited island of Kauo.

Many of the ancient coconut palm trees on the islands were planted at the request of kings or chiefs of the island to shade their royal fish ponds. Some ancient groves like the Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove are forbidden to walk through due to the dangers of falling coconuts!

Coconut trees provided early settlers with an abundance of material. They used every inch of the tree to make things like: 

• Buttons
• Rope
• Musical Instruments
• Brooms
• Roofing Material

They also used the coconut tree for food such as coconut milk, meat, and oil.

Africa

Unless you have a deep understanding of geography, many of us think of Africa as a big desert interspersed with savannahs and jungles. We think of elephants, cheetahs, crocodiles, and gazelles. 

But Africa has much more to offer than deserts and savannahs. Surrounding the famous Congo River is the world’s second-largest rainforest. And, along its warmer coasts, you can find coconut palm trees.

Since the equator runs directly across Africa, it’s no surprise that coconut palm trees have flourished along the warm, tropical coasts of Africa. 

However, just like Hawaii, coconut palms are not native to Africa. 

They were brought by traders and colonists who often used coconuts as a means of fresh water on long voyages across the sea. Coconuts contain the most water when they are young and green. 

It’s possible that older coconuts were chucked overboard and floated until they reached the coasts. According to the University of Florida, coconuts can float for months before reaching shore and still be able to germinate into a tree.

In Africa, you can find coconut palm trees in the western and eastern coastal regions.

West Coast: You can find coconut palms from the west coast of Senegal down to the northern and central coastal regions of Angola. 

East Coast: Starting along the southern tip of Somalia, you can find coconut palm trees down to the northern regions of South Africa.

Why not the southern and northern coasts? 

Mostly because it is out of the coconut palm’s preferred comfort zone. They like to stick to the 25°N and 25°S latitudes, and the northern and southern coasts of Africa are a bit out of range. 

However, some coconut palms can be found in areas as far north as Egypt and Tunisia and as far south as the southern tip of South Africa. 

Asia

Asia is a huge continent but most of it cannot be inhabited by our beloved coconut palm tree. Any country above Pakistan and China is just too cold for the coconut tree to survive.

According to Duke University, despite this, Asia produces over 80% of the global coconut production.

The three largest producers of coconuts include:

• Indonesia – #1
• Philippines – #2
• India – #3

But these aren’t the only regions in Asia that have coconut palm trees swaying in the wind and giving off those tropical vibes.

Sri Lanka is the world’s 4th largest producer of coconuts. Located just below India, this warm, humid island contains the perfect environment to make coconut palm trees happy.

You can also find coconut palm trees in southern Bangladesh, western and southern Myanmar, and along the coastal regions of Malaysia. 

On the eastern coast of Asia, coconut palm trees grow along the coasts of Vietnam and eastern China up to about Quanzhou. They also grow on the island of Taiwan.

Papua New Guinea

Australia has a lot going on – scary spiders, scary snakes, scary sharks. Luckily, there is something that grows on the island of New Guinea that’s not so scary – coconuts!

Papua New Guinea is located north of Australia, and thriving with coconut trees.

Coconut palm trees grace the coasts of this entire island and can be found inland as well since Papua New Guinea is the 7th largest producer of coconuts in the world!

Located just below the equator, Papua New Guinea has all the right conditions for coconut trees – warmth all year round, humidity, and plenty of rainfall.

Mexico & Central America

Mexico and the countries of Central America have optimal growing conditions for the coconut palm tree. Though both are located in North America, the countries of Central America contain a distinct regional difference in both culture and history.

Coconut palm trees are not native to Mexico or Central America. Don’t worry, we’ll get to where coconuts originated from later.

According to the Washington University in St. Louis, coconuts were probably brought to Mexico during the colonial period, when travelers from the Philippines brought them to the west coast of Mexico.

Jalisco, located on the west coast of Mexico, is one of the largest producers of coconuts in the country. Coconut trees can also be found on the east coast of Mexico, but are easier to find on the west coast.

The countries of Central America include Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. 

Coconut palm trees can be found in all of Central America. The warm, humid, tropical climate provides the perfect habitat for coconut trees to thrive.

South America

South America is well known for its production and distribution of coffee beans. What would we do without our morning cup of joe! But South America also produces a lot of coconuts from various countries.

You can find the tropical coconut palm tree along the northwestern, northern, and eastern coast of South America. Specifically, coconuts grow in the following countries:

• Ecuador
• Peru
• Venezuela
• Guyana
• Suriname
• French Guiana
• Brazil
• Columbia

The equator runs right through the top of the continent, making it the perfect climate for coconut palms. 

Although areas like Argentina and Uruguay have warm temperatures throughout the year, the average temperature in Argentina during the summer season is 75℉ and even colder in Uruguay at 65℉. These temperatures cannot sustain the coconut tree.

Europe

It almost feels like cheating to include Europe. The continent is definitely too cold for coconut palm trees, right? Right?

Every part of Europe is too cold for coconut palm trees except the Canary Islands, which are a part of Spain but located closer to Africa.

The Canary Islands are located west of Africa, directly across from the border separating Morocco from Western Sahara. The islands are located a bit out of the coconut palm’s comfort zone, but you can still find them on the island.

Tenerife is probably the most well-known area of the Canary Islands for having coconut trees. The volcanic island provides coconut palms with coastal areas and many sunny days.

Where Did Coconut Trees Originally Come From?

You may have noticed that for most of the areas mentioned above, we said that coconut palm trees were not native to the area. But we were suspiciously quiet about Asia…

A plant evolutionary biologist at Washington University in St. Louis took a look at the DNA from over a thousand coconuts collected all over the world. What he found was that there are two distinct coconut DNAs. 

One from the Pacific Ocean Basin and the other from the Indian Ocean Basin. This led to the conclusion that coconut palm trees probably originated in two regions: the Philippine islands and southern India/Sri Lanka. 

From those two regions, coconuts have spread to pretty much everywhere they can possibly grow, and for good reason.

The amount of things you can get from a single coconut is amazing:

• Food
• Potable Water
• Rope
• Charcoal
• Flotation Device

That list might not seem as impressive nowadays with our advanced technology, but to pioneers, travelers, and native people, the coconut was a fruit of life. 

So, naturally, wherever people went they wanted to take this amazing fruit with them! That’s how the coconut spread from two single regions to pretty much everywhere spanning just above the Tropic of Cancer and just below the Tropic of Capricorn.

For a closer look at how coconuts spread from these two regions, you can check out the map from the DNA study mentioned above.

Do All Palm Trees Grow Coconuts?

If you’re cruising along somewhere in central or northern Florida, you may be wondering why there are no coconuts on the palm trees?

There are over 2,000 species of palm trees, but only one grows coconuts: the coconut palm tree. Other palm trees have different fruits that we are familiar with such as dates, acai berries, and peach palms.

If you live in a region where coconut trees can survive, or if you would like one indoors, you can purchase them online like Root 98 Warehouse’s Coconut Tree. If you live near coconut trees, you can also plant one simply by burying a viable coconut in the ground. In 3-6 months it will sprout into a whole new tree.

Did you know that you can even grow certain types of palm trees in New York? Unfortunately, you can’t grow a tropical coconut tree in the climate, however.

That’s A Wrap!

Coconut palm trees are found mostly between the latitudes of 25°N and 25°S. They prefer areas along the coast that are sunny, humid, and warm.

These amazing trees provided so much to early settlers and colonists who used the coconut for water, food, rope, and so much more.

Although the coconut tree originated in the Philippines and southern India and Sri Lanka, it has spread far and wide, covering every continent except Antarctica. 

Here are the 9 most common places that coconuts grow:

• Florida – Southern tip
• Hawaii
• West- and East-coasts of Africa
• Asia – Especially in the Philippines, Indonesia, and India
• Papua New Guinea
• Mexico – Especially in Jalisco
• Central America
• South America – Especially in Brazil
• Europe – The Canary Islands only

If you’re looking for the world’s largest concentration of coconut palm trees, you’ll want to look at the Philippines, Indonesia, or India. 

But if you’d rather stay local in the United States, you can hit up any of the islands of Hawaii or the southern tip of Florida.

References

Ahmed, A., Ibrahim, A., & Hussein, S. (2019). Detection of Palm Tree Pests Using Thermal Imaging: A Review. Machine Learning Paradigms: Theory and Application, 801.

Ledo, A. d. S., Passos, E. E. M., Fontes, H. R., Ferreira, J. M. S., Talamini, V., & Vendrame, W. A. (2019). Advances in Coconut palm propagation. Propagation, 41(2).

Marina, A. M., Che Man, Y. B., & Amin, I. (2009, October). Virgin coconut oil: emerging functional food oil. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 20(10), 481-487.

Moura, J. Z., Prado, R. M., Benvindo, R. N., & Alencar, L. C. (2013, February 06). Applying boron to coconut palm plants: effects on the soil, on the plant nutritional status and on productivity boron to coconut palm trees. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 13(1).

If you have ever been to a tropical place, you have seen palm trees. But how many of those have been coconut trees, and just how tall do coconut trees grow?

Coconut trees grow in warm tropical climates and depending on the cultivar, reach varying heights. Tall coconut palm cultivars reach a height of 80-100 feet and have a lifespan of 80-100 years. Dwarf varieties of coconut palms can reach a height of 15-60 feet but have an average lifespan of 40-60 years.

So, you may wonder, do all coconut trees grow as tall as 80 to 100 feet? Stick around to learn just how tall the different cultivars of coconut trees grow. It might surprise you to learn many trees do not get as tall!

How Tall Is The Average Coconut Tree?

The tall coconut palm varieties reach a height of 80-100 feet. These are the coconut trees we all might think of, really tall, very skinny trunks and leaning to one side. The tall varieties of coconut trees live an average lifespan of 80-100 years.

Here are a few tall cultivars of coconut palms:

• East Coast Tall Coconut 
• West Coast Tall Coconut 
• Jamaican Tall Coconut
• Panama Tall Coconut
• Maypan Coconut
• Tiptur Tall Coconut
• Chandrakalpa Coconut

The dwarf varieties of coconut palms, however, range anywhere from 15-60 feet. Dwarf coconut trees do not live as long as tall coconut varieties, with an average lifespan of 40-60 years.

Here are a few dwarf cultivars of coconut palms:

• Chowghat Orange Dwarf Coconut
• Malayan Yellow Dwarf Coconut
• Golden Malayan Dwarf Coconut
• Green Dwarf Coconut
• Macapuno Coconut
• Fiji Dwarf
• King Coconut

We will go into more detail about the different coconut palm cultivars, so keep reading!

How Fast Does A Coconut Tree Grow?

A coconut tree can grow anywhere from 12-36 inches each year under the best growing conditions, with an ample amount of sunlight, water, and humidity.

Ample sunlight requirements for coconut trees are over 6 hours of full sunlight per day or about 2,000 hours or more of sunlight every year!

Coconut trees need significant amounts of water to bear fruit. Coconut trees need 15-30 gallons of water per day, but the amount differs depending on the age and where you grow them. You can grow a coconut tree of your own if you live in hardiness zones 10-11, or you can grow a coconut tree indoors, but it will not bear fruit.

Coconut trees need at least 70% humidity, which is why we typically see coconut palms in warm, humid climates. Some cultivars of coconut trees can tolerate drier periods, but they need humidity to produce fruit.

If you are planning on growing a coconut tree, you’ll want to make sure to look at our in-depth guide on how much water coconut trees actually need. It goes over different scenarios where your tree may be growing so you make sure NOT to overwater your coconut tree.

If you decide you want to grow a coconut tree indoors, this is a great humidifier for any of your indoor tropical plants, the Air Innovations Humidifier! This humidifier not only runs for 100 hours, but it also is top fill, operates quietly, and it is a 1.6 gallon-capacity humidifier!

Once a coconut tree produces coconuts, it leans to one side because of the weight of the fruit, giving the tree’s trunk a curved appearance.

Although coconut trees produce coconuts between 3-8 years, they don’t reach peak coconut production until around 15 to 20 years old!

If you want to learn more about transporting a palm tree before you take on the task, check out 10 Best Steps For Transporting Palm Trees (And How To Do It).

What Are Some Cultivars Of Coconut Trees?

As we mentioned before, there are different cultivars of the coconut tree, including tall and dwarf varieties.

Tall coconut palms:

• East Coast Tall Coconut 
• West Coast Tall Coconut 
• Jamaican Tall Coconut
• Panama Tall Coconut
• Maypan Coconut
• Tiptur Tall Coconut
• Chandrakalpa Coconut

Dwarf coconut palms:

• Chowghat Orange Dwarf Coconut
• Malayan Yellow Dwarf Coconut
• Golden Malayan Dwarf Coconut
• Green Dwarf Coconut
• Macapuno Coconut
• Fiji Dwarf
• King Coconut

East Coast Tall Coconut

The east coast tall coconut tree reaches a height of 90 feet and is a fairly common cultivar. It produces coconut fruits starting between 6-8 years old. 

The east coast tall coconut produces a reliable 60-70 coconuts each year! Although this coconut cultivar can tolerate dry conditions, it does best in moist, well-draining soil.

Green Dwarf Coconut

The green dwarf coconut is another variety of the Malayan Dwarf coconut, but this coconut palm reaches a height of only 30 feet tall. 

Unlike the Malayan Yellow or the Golden Malayan, which produce yellow coconuts, the green dwarf coconut produces green coconuts, which are used mainly for their water content.

West Coast Tall Coconut 

The west coast tall coconut palm reaches 100 feet, making it one of the tallest coconut palm cultivars there is! They produce large coconuts with high oil content. 

The west coast tall coconut is tolerant of some drought conditions, but like most coconut palms, it does best in well-draining, moist soil.

Golden Malayan Dwarf Coconut

The Golden Malayan Dwarf coconut is a type of the Malayan Dwarf coconut. The only difference is the coconut color. 

Instead of producing yellow coconuts, this Malayan variety produces dark orange coconuts. The Golden Malayan Dwarf also reaches a height of anywhere from 30-60 feet.

Jamaican Tall Coconut

Similar to the west coast tall coconut, the Jamaican tall coconut can reach up to 100 feet in height.

This coconut tree is most notable for its picturesque, round, dark green canopy. More importantly, the Jamaican tall coconut produces anywhere between 100-200 coconut fruits every year!

Macapuno Coconut

The Macapuno coconut tree is a dwarf coconut tree resulting from a genetic mutation. 

Because of this mutation, the coconut has virtually no water content and is noteworthy for its jelly-like meat that is incredibly soft and flavorful. 

These coconuts are considered a delicacy and used in foods and desserts. The Macapuno coconut only grows to a height of 16 feet tall!

Panama Tall Coconut

The Panama tall coconut palm reaches a height of 90 feet and can grow in hardiness zones 9b-11. 

Unlike the previously mentioned coconut varieties, this coconut palm is the most tolerant of cold temperatures and winds. 

This coconut palm resembles the Jamaican tall coconut. However, the Panama tall’s canopy resembles a weeping shape.

Maypan Coconut

One of the coolest things about the Maypan coconut palm is its resistance to lethal yellowing disease, one of the most fatal diseases to coconut palms. 

This coconut palm is a hybrid cross between the Panama tall, which we just covered, and the Malayan Dwarf. It is a commonly planted cultivar in Florida because of its resistance to lethal yellowing disease. 

Because this cultivar is a cross between a tall and a dwarf coconut palm, this coconut palm only reaches 60 feet tall!

Chowghat Orange Dwarf Coconut

Since we have been talking about 80 feet and taller coconut palms, this dwarf coconut may shock you. The Chowghat Orange Dwarf coconut palm only reaches a height of 16 feet! 

It produces around 65 meat-rich coconuts every year. This cultivar also originated in India and is noteworthy for its large, bright orange coconuts!

Tiptur Tall Coconut

The Tiptur tall coconut palm originated in India. It is an extremely low-maintenance palm and is known for its reliable supply of coconut fruits. This coconut palm produces anywhere from 70-80 coconuts per year!

Chandrakalpa Coconut

The Chandrakalpa coconut palm, also known as the Lakshadweep Ordinary coconut palm, originated in India specifically for large-scale cultivation in several Indian states. 

It is extremely tolerant of all levels of soil moisture, including different soil types. This coconut palm is known for its reliable productivity and produces around 100 coconuts per year!

Malayan Yellow Dwarf Coconut

The Malayan Yellow Dwarf coconut originated in Malaysia in the 1800s. It grows to a height of 60 feet and today is found in humid, tropical climates all over the world. 

The Malayan Dwarf is another cultivar commonly planted in Florida due to its resistance to lethal yellowing disease. 

Fiji Dwarf

The Fiji dwarf coconut palm is another disease-resistant cultivar. The Fiji dwarf coconut replaced thousands of coconut palms that died out because of lethal yellowing disease.

It reaches a height of up to 25 feet and is also tolerant to most weather conditions, including most soil types, wind, and varying rainfall.

King Coconut

Last but certainly not least is the king coconut palm. The king coconut palm tree reaches up to 30 feet tall and is native to Sri Lanka. They are extremely prevalent during hot months on roadsides. King coconuts are a shiny bright orange color and are known for their nutritious, and delicious high water content! 

Have you ever wondered if you can grow palm trees where you live? Well, if you live in or around New Orleans, you can learn more about the palms near you here: 5 Reasons New Orleans Has Palm Trees (Plus Growing Tips)!

What Are The Benefits Of Coconut Trees?

Coconut trees have been utilized for thousands of centuries, specifically because of their multitude of uses. 

You can use every part of the coconut palm tree, from the interior of the coconut to the shells, the roots, the fronds, the husk, and even the trunk!

The interior of the coconut produces coconut water, coconut milk, and coconut oil from its meat called copra.

The sap of coconut trees is used to create syrups, seasonings, alcohol, and candy.

Coconut fronds have a variety of uses. They can be used to weave baskets or bags, create sun shades and mats, used as wraps, and to preserve food and you can even create hats and leis with them.

Coconut coir, the natural fiber around the coconut husk, is used in soil mixes for tropical plants, rope, mats, and even brushes. Coconut coir added in the soil as a growing medium gives plants the drainage and aeration they need.

If you have any tropical plants or are looking to grow your own coconut palm, FoxFarm FX14100 Coco Loco Potting Mix is a perfect soil to start with! It’s a perfect mix of growing mediums with one of its key ingredients being coconut coir! 

FoxFarm soil is incredibly sought after for all indoor plants, and the best thing about this tropical coconut coir potting mix is it holds its weight in water while still being well-draining! This means nutrients and water can be sucked up as needed by the plants, reducing the probability of root rot and insects!

Traditionally, in Polynesian culture, the trunk of the coconut tree was used to create canoes. The trunk of coconut trees is so sturdy it has been used for houses, boats, and even furniture.

What Exactly Is A Coconut Tree?

Did you know the coconut tree is the only species in the genus, Cocos? The scientific name of the coconut tree is Cocos nucifera. Although there is only one species of coconut tree, there are many cultivars of coconut trees grown around the world.

Cultivars are specifically bred varieties of a plant. Breeding specific varieties or hybrids and crosses of plants allows for disease resistance, potentially higher production of fruit, or insect resistance, to name a few.

For centuries, the coconut tree has been used all around the world. People use them for everything from food to furniture, including coconut oil, water, baking, baskets, and arrows.

Coconut trees belong to the Arecaceae family and have no branches! They have only palms, which are a single leaf, commonly called fronds.

These trees grow in hardiness zones 10-11 in hot tropical climates. Typically, tall coconut trees reach up to 100 feet tall, but certain cultivars only reach 15-30 feet tall!

Coconut palm trees can produce anywhere from 50-200 coconuts per year, depending on climate, care, and age, and rarely begin producing fruit until they are between 3-8 years old.

If you have thought about growing palm trees, we have just the article for you, Here’s Why You Can’t Grow Tropical Palm Trees In New York.

That’s A Wrap!

Now that we’ve learned about different cultivars of coconut trees, I think they may just be the ultimate tree! Not only are some varieties disease resistant, but some are also incredibly tolerant and require minimal care once established. Not to mention the abundance of uses of the entire tree!

Thanks for sticking around and learning about coconut trees with us! Maybe you’ll remember some of these amazing coconut tree facts the next time you’re in a tropical place!

References:

Arunachalam, V., and M. K. Rajesh. “Breeding of coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.).” CAB Reviews: perspectives in agriculture, veterinary science, nutrition and natural resources 3.053 (2008): 1-12.

Chan, Edward, and Craig R. Elevitch. “Cocos nucifera (coconut).” Species profiles for Pacific Island agroforestry 2 (2006): 1-27.

Liyanage, D. V. “Varieties and forms of the coconut palm grown in Ceylon.” (1958).

Nampoothiri, K. U. K., Krishnakumar, V., Thampan, P. K., & Nair, M. A. (Eds.). (2019). The Coconut Palm (Cocos Nucifera L.)–Research and Development Perspectives. Singapore: Springer.

Watawana, Mindani I., et al. “Enhancement of the antioxidant and starch hydrolase inhibitory activities of king coconut water (Cocos nucifera var. aurantiaca) by fermentation with kombucha ‘tea fungus’.” International Journal of Food Science & Technology 51.2 (2016): 490-498.

When you think of coconut trees, you probably think of tropical trees surrounded by perfectly blue water. Would you believe they still require a LOT of water? Here’s how much water coconut trees need.

Coconut trees need 15-30 gallons of water per day if being grown for fruit harvesting purposes. They can also be grown indoors, but need much less water since they will not bear fruit. The amount of water a coconut tree needs will depend on it’s climate, which is generally tropical.

If you think about it, it makes sense that coconut trees need so much water, especially since coconuts are 94% water! As we mentioned, you can grow a coconut palm indoors, but remember, it will not bear fruit. Read on to learn more about Cocos nucifera, the coconut tree and how much water coconut trees actually need.

What Is A Coconut Tree?

So you might think, what exactly is a coconut tree? Did you know there is only one species of coconut tree? It is the Coconut palm, Cocos nucifera. People have used coconut trees for centuries, for a multitude of reasons. 

The coconut tree, Cocos nucifera, is a palm and the only living species in the Cocos genus. Contrary to its name, the coconut is a fruit, not a nut. 

Today, we use things from coconut meat for coconut oil, coconut water, and coconut milk for cooking, consuming, and baking. In other parts of the country and around the world, all parts of the coconut trees are used. It is used for things like baskets, arrows, furniture, dyes, instruments, syrups, and utensils, to name a few.

The coconut tree or coconut palm is found in hardiness zones 10–11 where the weather is hot and tropical. Coconut trees or palms are part of the palm family called Arecaceae.

They are characterized by having a single leaf or frond and no branches! It grows up to 100 feet tall and does not grow any branches, but rather palm-leaf stalks, which are roughly 3-5 feet long.

Coconut palms can produce around 50-200 coconut fruits per year depending on the variety and climate. Coconut palms typically do not produce fruit until 3-8 years of age, but once they produce fruit, they do so year-round.

Did you know that the coconut tree will continue to produce fruit for 80 years?

How Often Should I Water A Coconut Tree?

Coconut trees are found in warm tropical climates, meaning they love the heat and humidity! Although they can tolerate some dry soil conditions, it’s not ideal. 

How much water a coconut tree needs depends on its location, cultivar, climate, and what it’s being used for. Is it producing fruit for consumption, or is it an indoor houseplant? Yes, you can grow them as a houseplant!

Coconut palms, as we mentioned, love the humidity. If you are going to grow a coconut palm indoors, your best bet is to have a humidifier, as you would for any other tropical plant. 

Watering coconut trees is where most of the trouble lies, especially if you are growing one indoors. Over-watering causes the death of most house plants, which is what makes some of them so fussy.

Farm Grown Coconut Trees Need More Water

If it is producing fruit and being grown in a tropical area, naturally, it may only need water during dry periods. 

If it is being farm-grown, depending on the method of irrigation, it could need anywhere from 4-30 gallons of water a day, and even up to 108 gallons per week!

Just like any other plant, depending on its age or stage in its life cycle, that will determine the amount of water that the coconut tree needs making it all more important to know how much water your coconut tree needs. In the germination stage and the first year of the coconut tree’s life, it needs frequent attention and care.

Tall Coconut Trees Need The Most Water

Tall coconut trees need the most amount of water, as mentioned, and are not drought tolerant, however, certain types of dwarf coconut trees need half the amount of water as tall coconut trees and are even drought tolerant.

Indoor Coconut Trees Need The Least Water

If you are growing a coconut tree inside as a houseplant, water it once the top half of the soil has dried out. However, if the soil is soggy, too wet, or left in standing water, it spells out peril for your coconut tree. So basically, you want the soil to be moist, but not overly wet.

To measure the moisture of the soil in your plants, a moisture meter will be your best friend.

One of the best recommended soil moisture meters is SONKIR Soil pH Meter. It’s easy to use, does not require any batteries, and will save your plants.

What Else Do Coconut Trees Need Besides Water?

Have you ever thought of exactly where palm trees grow? Well, you certainly don’t see them growing naturally in New York, except maybe at restaurants or around someone’s pool. Coconut trees grow in hot, humid, tropical environments.

For more on this, check out Here’s Why You Can’t Grow Tropical Palm Trees In New York.

So, aside from specific watering needs, coconut trees need high humidity, heat, well-draining soil, and lots of sunlight!

Humidity

Since we already covered the watering needs of coconut trees. Let’s talk about humidity. Coconut trees need at least 70% humidity. Although they can tolerate some dry heat, over time, your coconut tree will suffer. 

A great humidifier for any of your indoor tropical plants is the Air Innovations Humidifier! This humidifier runs 100 hours and operates quietly with it’s 1.6 gallon-capacity humidifier!

Warm Temperatures

Coconut trees need heat! They grow in warm, tropical, humid climates, so if you decide to grow your own coconut tree, make sure the temperature is warm! 

All this has to mean is the temperature in the room where you’re growing your coconut tree is at no less than 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but ideally, they will grow best at 80 degrees Fahrenheit and above!

Well-Draining Soil

Coconut trees, like other tropical plants grown indoors, need well-draining, tropical plant-specific soil! Most palm trees prefer well-draining, loamy soil. Tropical plant mixtures can include perlite, earthworm castings, coconut coir, shredded bark, and more!

A popular choice of potting soil for your coconut tree is the FoxFarm FX14100 Coco Loco Potting Mix. 

Many plant owners choose FoxFarm soil for its exceptional quality, and the best thing about this tropical coconut coir potting mix is it holds its weight in water while still being well-draining! This means the plants can suck up nutrients and water as needed while reducing the probability of root rot and insects!

How Often Do Coconut Trees Bear Fruit?

Once your coconut tree becomes of mature age, which is around 6-10 years old, it will begin to bear fruit and produce coconuts year-round. However, it will take a year for coconuts to ripen once your tree flowers. 

Each coconut grows in a bunch on a coconut tree, which is part of a bunch of anywhere from 5-15 coconuts. How many coconut fruits a coconut tree produces depends on the variety and climate, including temperature, sunlight, humidity, fertilizing, and watering. 

What you use the coconuts for will determine when they get harvested. For coconut water, coconuts can be harvested 6-7 months after the coconut fruits sprout.

However, if you want to use the coconut for copra, then it takes almost half a year longer to ripen for use. Copra is from dried coconut kernels, which coconut oil is made from. 

Because coconuts grow in bunches, you can harvest the coconut bunches all at once, and all coconuts in a bunch will ripen at roughly the same time.

Can I Grow A Coconut Tree Indoors?

Yes! You can grow a coconut tree indoors. 

Remember, coconut trees are found on or near beaches in hot, humid, sunny climates. So yes, you can grow a coconut tree indoors, but you need to give it optimal conditions of humidity, sunlight, temperature, soil, and water!

Also, a coconut tree grown indoors will grow given the right conditions, just like many other tropical house plants, but unfortunately, it will not produce any coconuts.

If you decide to move your coconut tree later on, check out 10 Best Steps For Transporting Palm Trees (And How To Do It) for some tips!

What Else Besides Watering Can Make My Coconut Tree Grow Faster?

So, you’re growing a coconut tree and it seems like it’s slowed down in growth, but how do you make it grow faster?

First, make sure you are giving your coconut tree optimal conditions: Full sun, above 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, high humidity, and adequate watering but not over or under-watering.

If all of those conditions are good, then check out using fertilizer!

Espoma PM4 4-Pound 4-1-5 Palm-Tone Plant Food is a one of the better organic fertilizers, and this one is specifically for all palm trees! It has a 4-1-5 NPK ratio, meaning it is 4 parts nitrogen, 1 part phosphorous, and 5 parts potassium, making it a perfect fertilizer to tackle the most common nutrient deficiencies in palm trees!

What Is The Lifespan Of A Coconut Tree?

Did you know that coconut tree varieties have different lifespans? Dwarf coconut trees live for about 60-80 years, while tall coconut trees can live to be 80-100 years.

Let’s go a little deeper into a few facts on different cultivars of coconut trees and their lifespans.

If you’re interested in how tall your coconut tree will grow, you can read our full list in our article: Here’s How Tall Coconut Trees Actually Grow

Chowghat Orange Dwarf Coconut Tree

This dwarf coconut lives for around 50 years and will produce bright orange coconuts after 3-4 years. This coconut tree is known for the meat and water it provides.

Malayan Yellow Dwarf Coconut Tree

This coconut tree is native to Malaysia and lives anywhere between 40-50 years. Being a dwarf coconut tree cultivar, this tree only gets 30-60 feet tall and is known for its yellow coconuts.

Macapuno Coconut Tree

It is native to the Philippines and lives for up to 75 years. What is so cool about this coconut tree is its fruits have virtually no water! This is why this coconut tree is known for its use of its coconut meat for desserts, because of its soft and sweet meat.

Jamaican Tall Coconut Tree

The Jamaican tall coconut tree is robust and dense. It is known for its dark green leaves and swollen trunk base. This tree will produce anywhere from 100-200 coconuts per year and live for up to 80 years.

Tiptur Tall Coconut Tree

This coconut tree is native to India, living anywhere from 80-90 years, and producing 70-80 coconuts per year. Surprisingly, this tree needs little to no maintenance once it is established.

Panama Tall Coconut Tree

The Panama tall coconut tree, commonly known as the Pacific tall, grows up to 90 feet tall and is very tolerant of wind. It also grows well in areas where temperatures are less than optimal, below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The Panama tall, being a tall coconut tree cultivar, lives anywhere from 80-100 years.

Maypan Hybrid

The Maypan hybrid coconut tree is a cross between a Malayan dwarf and a Panama tall coconut tree and grows to be 60 feet tall. This cultivar was bred in response to a devastating disease known to coconut trees called lethal yellowing disease. This tree lives anywhere from 50-100 years.

That’s A Wrap!

Thanks for sticking around and reading all about coconut trees! Hopefully, you now know how much water coconut trees need and learned some other helpful tips on caring for your coconut tree.

The coconut tree, Cocos nucifera, is a palm and the only living species in the Cocos genus. Contrary to its name, the coconut is a fruit! Coconut palms produce anywhere from 50-200 coconut fruits each year depending on the cultivar, climate, and care.

So, if you decide to grow a coconut tree indoors, give it optimal conditions. Doing this will give you the most chance at success.

Optimal conditions mean 70% or more humidity, with the help of a humidifier, temperatures over 75 degrees Fahrenheit, try the warmest room in your house, a bathroom, or put it outside in the summer. Also, proper soil, a loamy, well-draining soil mixture, proper watering, moist not overly wet, and make sure it is in full sunlight, meaning at least 6 hours of sunlight per day! 

References: 

Gunn, Bee F., Luc Baudouin, and Kenneth M. Olsen. “Independent origins of cultivated coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) in the old world tropics.” Plos one 6.6 (2011): e21143.

Nayar, N. Madhavan. The coconut: phylogeny, origins, and spread. Academic Press, 2016.

Peiris, T. S. G., R. O. Thattil, and R. Mahindapala. “An analysis of the effect of climate and weather on coconut (Cocos nucifera).” Experimental Agriculture 31.4 (1995): 451-460.

Yong, Jean WH, et al. “The chemical composition and biological properties of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water.” Molecules 14.12 (2009): 5144-5164.