Lodoicea maldivica
Lodoicea maldivica
Coco de Mer
★
Description
Lodoicea maldivica, the legendary Coco de Mer, is a monumental Seychelles palm famed for producing the world’s largest seed. Ultra‑tropical and exceptionally slow, it thrives only in warm, humid, rainforest-like conditions. A true collector’s treasure, it demands deep soil, gentle care, and decades of patience.
Common Names
Coco de MerDouble CoconutSea CoconutSeychelles NutLove Nut
Context
nativeRegion
Endemic to the Seychelles (primarily Praslin and Curieuse Islands).
usdaZones
12b-13
companionPlants
Pandanus utilis, Heliconia species, Alocasia macrorrhizos, Artocarpus altilis (Breadfruit), Vanilla planifolia
culturalUses
Icon of the Seychelles and featured on the national coat of arms. Historically revered and traded as a talisman; shells used as bowls and vessels. Today strictly protected; fruits and seeds are regulated.
Care
Care Requirements
LightBright filtered light to part sun when young; transition to full sun only when well established. Best in a warm, bright, humid greenhouse.
WateringKeep evenly moist with deep, thorough watering; never waterlog. Use low‑mineral or rainwater if possible. Sensitive to salts and drought.
SoilVery deep, well‑drained, rich sandy loam with abundant organic matter; slightly acidic to neutral (pH ~6–7). Thick mulch over a deep container or in-ground site.
FertilizerLight, infrequent feedings of a palm-specific slow‑release fertilizer with micronutrients (K, Mg, Mn) 2–3 times per year. Avoid overfeeding and high phosphorus.
HumidityHigh humidity 70–90% with good air flow; misting in greenhouse helps prevent leaf tip burn.
TemperatureBest 22–32°C (72–90°F). Protect below 18°C (64°F); no frost tolerance. USDA ultratropical only.
Growth & Life Cycle
HabitMassive solitary palm with huge, costapalmate leaves; dioecious (separate male and female plants).
Mature SizeTypically 20–34 m (65–110 ft) tall with a leaf span up to 10–15 m (33–50 ft).
Growth RateExtremely slow; seeds germinate in 8–18+ months; juvenile growth is very slow; first flowering often 20–40+ years.
BloomingDioecious; males produce long catkins, females bear enormous fruits. Flowering can occur year-round in ideal climates; fruit takes 6–7 years to mature.
DormancyEvergreen tropical; no true dormancy, but growth slows in cooler or drier periods.
Propagation
MethodsSeed (fresh, legally sourced with permits)
DifficultyVery difficult—limited legal seed supply, long germination, slow establishment.
Best SeasonLate spring to summer or the onset of the wet season in ultratropical climates.
Maintenance & Notes
PruningMinimal—remove only fully dead, dry fronds and spent inflorescences. Avoid cutting green tissue.
RepottingRepot as little as possible due to a massive, sensitive taproot. Start in an extra‑deep container and upsize only once or twice early on.
Pests & DiseasesScale, mealybugs, spider mites in dry greenhouses; nutrient deficiencies (K, Mg, Mn) if underfed; root rot and fungal leaf spots in stagnant, wet soils.
ToxicityNot known to be toxic to people or pets, but the heavy fruits are hazardous if overhead. Seeds and fruit are legally protected in many regions.
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