Jubaea chilensis
Chilean wine palm
J. chilensis is a slow-growing palm which can reach 25m, with a single, scarred and cracked grey trunk and leaves up to 5m long formed of many very narrow, rigid, folded, yellow-green to dark green leaflets. Small, bowl-shaped, dull purple and yellow flowers are produced in summer in sprays up to 1.5m long, followed by woody, yellow fruit
Other common names
Chilean coquito palmcoquito
see morehoney palm
little cokernut palm
palm honey tree
Synonyms
Jubaea spectabilis
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
more than 50 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Yellow | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Arecaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Jubaea are palms native to southwestern South America. They have a single trunk, pinnate leaves, and can grow between 20 and 25m tall.
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- C Chile
How to grow
Cultivation
In milder areas grow outdoors in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun. Otherwise grow as a houseplant, or in a cool greenhouse or conservatory, in a loam-based compost
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in spring at 25°C. Germination may take three to six months
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Sub-tropical
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Architectural
- City and courtyard gardens
- Patio and container plants
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
Minimal pruning required; remove dead leaves by cutting close to the leaf base leaving stubs to create a neat pattern
Pests
May be sisceptible to glasshouse red spider mite under glass
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.