There is only one species of Coconut Palm tree in the world, and this is Cocos nucifera. However, many cultivars exist within this species, which bear a wide variety of different types of coconuts. The Coconut Palm cultivars are split into two groups dwarf varieties and tall varieties. This specimen is the Malayan Dwarf Coconut.Â
Dwarf palms, as the name implies, are small in stature. They typically do not exceed 30 feet and often top out at around 16 feet in height. They have a shorter lifespan than tall varieties, with a life expectancy of between 40 and 50 years. One of the best things about dwarf coconut palms is that they begin bearing fruit at a young age, sometimes after just 2 years. The fruit of dwarf coconut palms tends to be smaller than that of tall palms, though they are still a very popular food source.
This plant wants FULL SUN so place indoors in a very bright location, or, plant outdoors if you live in a warm part of California like the outer East Bay, South Bay or Central Valley. It wants sandy soil that remains wet but always well drained. Yes, you can get coconuts from this plant when it matures! But rarely will it give you fruit indoors, where it is grown primarily for its foliage and the novelty.
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