Coccothrinax argentea

Common Names

Silver Palm, Silver Thatch Palm, Thachpalm, Broom Palm, Biscayne Palm, Florida Silverpalm, Hispaniola Silver Thatch Palm, Hispaniolan Silver Palm

Summary

The Hispaniola silver thatch palm is an evergreen fan palm native to Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti) that inhabits open limestone areas and pine woodlands on calcareous soils. Usually solitary, it can be multi-stemmed, with a slender trunk up to about 10 m tall and 5–10 cm in diameter, crowned by nearly circular leaves 1–1.5 m wide that are dark green above and silvery beneath. Short, branched inflorescences arise below the canopy with tiny yellowish or ivory flowers and purple-black fruit; it is slow-growing, taking decades to reach tree height, and exhibits moderate salt tolerance and wind-hardiness.

Cultivation and uses: Prefers full sun and well-drained soils, tolerates drought once established and some salt spray; watering is regular during establishment and waterlogging should be avoided; propagation by seeds; maintenance calls for pruning only diseased or drying fronds as palms recycle nutrients and should not be headed. Cold tolerance down to about -2 C makes it suitable for warm zones; ornamental in tropical to subtropical gardens, with practical uses including thatching roofs and weaving baskets, hats, ropes and mats from leaves, and very young leaves can be eaten.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-15 feet

Spread

6-7 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 10a-11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun.

Soil Type

Well-drained, alkaline/calcareous soil (pH 7–8.5)

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil; avoid constantly soggy conditions.

Soil pH

Alkaline soils (pH above 7)

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Dark green above; silvery underside

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color change

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow growth, about 12 cm per year.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts other pollinators, birds