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Old Man Palm

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Pavilion, Walkways & Garden Areas

Old Man Palm

Coccothrinax crinita

  • ​Common name: Old Man Palm
  • Scientific name: Coccothrinax crinita
  • Family name: Arecaceae
  • Origin: Cuba
  • Height: 10-15 ft
  • Width: 6-10 ft
  • Growth: Slow
  • Zone: 10b-11
  • Light needs: Partial shade
  • Salt tolerance: Moderate
  • Soil/pH/Texture: Prefers sandy soil, but can tolerate a range of soil types except for clay as long as it is well-drained. Does best in serpentine soil. Neutral to acidic pH (pH 6.0-7.0)
  • Moisture: Water regularly until established – once established, it need little maintenance in terms of water.
  • Drought tolerance: Moderate
  • Pests/Diseases: This plant has no major pests/diseases.
  • Growing conditions: Grows best in moist well-drained soil, particularly soils low in nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Prefers to grow in partial or full sunlight. Once established they need little maintenance. They are also suited for coastal plantings due to their good drought and salt tolerances. This tree has a very slow growth rate, being recorded to take over 10 years to grow 5 ft tall.
  • Characteristics: This plant has a single, thick trunk with dense, fibrous hairs. Leaves are palmate, 5 ft long, with leaflets pointing outwards radially forming a star-like shape. The leaves are green on the top and silver-gray underneath. Flowers form on clusters beneath the crown and are light yellow. The berries are dark purple.
  • Propagation: By seed
  • Wildlife: Birds and mammals eat the berries as they ripen.
  • Facts: The Old Man Palm is endangered, with much of its native habitat being destroyed due to deforestation.
  • Designer considerations: Can be a specimen planting or mass planting. They look good along walkways and around parking lots/highways. Suitable for coastal gardens as well.