Copernicia, a very elegant palm tree

Copernicia alba in habitat

C. alba in habitat

It is a palm tree native to South America and the Caribbean that little by little we are seeing more in the gardens that enjoy a mild climate all year round. It belongs to the botanical genus copernicia, and is one of the members of the Arecaceae family with the most elegant fan-shaped leaves.

As it is not well known yet but we believe it has a lot of potential, we are going to present it to you. Discover how it is and what care it requires so that you can have it in your green space or decorating your home.

Characteristics of La Copernicia

View of the Copernicia prunifera plant

C.prunifera

Our protagonist could well go through a washingtonia, but its trunk often gives it away, as it is not usually brownish-purple, but rather light brown or sometimes pure brown. It reaches a height of 5 to 30 meters depending on the species.

Its leaves, which are up to 1,5m wide, are fan-shaped, and can be covered with a thin layer of wax known as carnauba wax.. The petioles, that is, the part that joins the leaf with the stem or stipe (what we would call the trunk) are protected with thorns. The flowers are grouped in inflorescences, and their fruits are round, up to 2,5 cm thick, brown or black.

How do you take care of yourself?

Leaves of the Copernicia baileyana

C. baileyana

If you would like to have a Copernicia palm tree, here is its care guide:

  • Location: full sun. If grown indoors, it needs to be in a room that naturally gets plenty of light.
  • Soil or substrate: it must have good drainage and be rich in organic matter. If it is potted, you can mix 60% black peat + 30% perlite + 10% organic fertilizer (worm castings or manure).
  • Irrigation: every other day in summer, and every 4-5 days the rest of the year.
  • Planting or transplanting time: in spring.
  • Multiplication: by seeds in spring-summer. They must be placed in a sealed bag filled with vermiculite previously moistened with water. They will germinate in 1-2 months at a temperature of 20-25ºC.
  • Rusticity: it is sensitive to cold. The adult specimens can bear up to -2ºC if it is for a short time.

Have you heard of this palm tree?


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