Pindo Palm Tree

When one thinks of palm trees, one might quickly picture heat-loving plants that can endure and even thrive in the higher range of hardiness zones. That being said, not all palm species thrive in colder corners of the world where temperatures can fall as low as 5 degrees F. One species of palm, the pindo palm tree, is a special palm that can be found along the east coast up to the Carolinas and is tolerant to much lower temperatures.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at some interesting facts about this cold-tolerant palm species, as well as everything you need to know about where and how to grow your own pindo palm tree.

What is the Pindo Palm Tree?

The pindo palm tree goes by many names, including the jelly palm and Butia palm. It is classified as Butia capitata or Butia odorata and is a member of the Arecaceae family of plants. It is native to Brazil and other areas surrounding the country.

This palm’s height can span up to 32 feet. The tree’s feathery palm-like pinnate leaves have an inward arch and a robust, sturdy trunk. It blooms in Minas Gerais from May to July and bears fruit from November to February. The ripe fruit of this plant is roughly the size of a large cherry, and it is yellowish or orange in color, sometimes with a blush at the tip.

Between November and February, locals gather the fruits of this palm in the wild to manufacture juices, liquors, marmalades, and desserts. Orange or occasionally crimson skin covers the fruit. This pulp of the pindo palm tree fruit is right orange, intensely fragrant, a little oily, and very fibrous. Compared to other commonly consumed fruits, the pulp from the pindo palm tree offers an excellent amount of beta-carotene and provitamin A. The nuts of this plant can also be used to make an oil that is quite similar to coconut oil.

How to Care For a Pindo Palm Tree

The pindo palm dislikes standing in water, not unlike the majority of palm tree species. Water gently and deeply to thoroughly soak the soil to a minimum depth of two feet after waiting until the top three inches of the soil surrounding the tree is completely dry. To properly soak the soil without wetting the tree’s trunk, it is recommended to install a soaker hose in a circle around the tree. If you’re growing your pindo palm tree indoors in a pot, just be mindful not to over-wet the trunk of your tree. Trunk and root rot can result from too much moisture in the soil or on the trunk. You might want to create a small irrigation channel by digging a moat around the tree.

These palm plants thrive in conditions ranging from full sun to light shade. You can find them growing all along the U.S. East Coast up to the Carolinas since they can withstand temperatures as low as 5 degrees F. These robust palm trees are also quite popular in Washington state, parts of Oregon, and northern California along the western coast. Within USDA hardiness zones eight through 11, the pindo palm can withstand the winter and survive quite easily with the right care.

Any soil types, as long as they are well-draining, are suitable for pindo palm growth. The pH of the soil you use should be neutral for these trees. As previously said, plant your palm tree outdoors at least 10 feet away from anything you don’t want to be covered with sticky fruit.

Pindo palm seedlings should be transplanted in the spring or early summer. Make a hole twice as big as the root ball before planting. Backfill the hole with the surrounding soil after placing the seedling in the center of it. Put a few ounces of palm tree fertilizer into the soil for every inch of the tree’s trunk in diameter. Give your newly planted pindo palm water every day for the next two weeks. Reduce watering gradually over several months, but never allow the soil to completely dry up. In a few years, your new tree is likely to be at least somewhat drought-tolerant and will not require a regular watering schedule.

Four times a year, fertilize your indoor or outdoor pindo palm. Employ a specialist palm fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 8-4-12 that is high in micronutrients. Spread out some granular fertilizer evenly over the ground beneath the tree’s canopy. The directions on the fertilizer box should be carefully read and adhered to, or else you might risk overfertilizing and eventually killing your palm tree. Deeply water the tree right away after the treatment to avoid fertilizer root burn.

Due to the fact that they do not shed their dead leaves as readily as most other species, pindo palm trees might require semi-frequent pruning to keep up a tidy appearance. This is especially the case for indoor pindo palms that grow in pots. You will need to cut the dying fronds off as they appear. Pruning healthy, green fronds should be avoided since it stresses the tree and will make it look a bit leggy. The removal of green fronds that are developing horizontally or upward is very distressing to this species, so be careful!

During the hot, dry summer, give your pindo palm tree a thorough rinse. Grit, sand, and dust, which tend to collect on the stems and leaves of this plant, can be easily removed with a good shower. This is not always necessary, though, if you live in an area with lots of rainfall. Nevertheless, maintaining clean leaves promotes effective photosynthesis. This is much more necessary for indoor palms over outdoor palms. Periodic washing also aids in removing bothersome insects from the leaves, such as spider mites.

How to Propagate Pindo Palm Trees

By picking up the mature fruit as it hits the ground, removing the pits, and breaking them open to reveal the seed, you can easily grow your own pindo palm. The next step is to immediately plant them in sterile, fast-draining four-inch pots. Fill the pots with a half-and-half mixture of perlite and coco coir in advance, filling them to within a half-inch of the top.

Remove the pits from the fruit. Then, take the pit and place it on concrete, brick, or another extremely hard surface. Tap the pits with a mallet or hammer to break the hard outer shell. Pull the hull open using pliers or gloved hands. The brown, tiny, rounded seeds should be visible inside of the pits.

After removing the seeds, start planting. Put one seed into each of the pots you have prepared. Just a tiny portion of the seed’s top should be visible after pressing the seeds into the planting mixture. Add a thin layer of fine sand over the seeds. Place the pots where they will receive about six to eight hours each day of bright, indirect sunshine. Good options include a covered porch, under the canopy of another tree, or an area indoors next to a big, bright window.

Keep the potting mixture’s moisture level quite wet during the germination process by misting it as necessary with filtered water or collected rainwater. It should consistently feel just a little bit damp in the planting media. To keep the soil at a constant temperature of 100 degrees F, use a germination mat or similar heating pad. To keep the pots warm and preserve moisture, cover them loosely with plastic wrap. Your seeds should sprout in just two weeks!

Remove the plastic and the germination pad after the seedlings have at least two leaves, and then shift them to a new medium that contains a half-and-half mixture of coarse sand and potting soil. At this point, continue using your four-inch pots. Until around late spring or early summer, continue to care for your newly-grown pindo palms as if they were any other tropical houseplant.

Once they have matured and sprouted strong roots, the seedlings should now be planted in their permanent homes. That can be outside in your yard or in a large pot kept indoors. Keep in mind that these plants require fast-draining soil and lots of sunlight for the best results. Over the duration of their first summer, water them to a depth of one inch every week. After that, you can reduce the frequency that you water them.

Pests and Diseases to Watch Out For

Pindo palms usually have no issues with pests or illnesses, especially indoor plants. Root and trunk rot can be brought on by excessive watering. Mites, scale, and even skeletonizer insects can prey on compromised trees, but these pests won’t be present in a well-maintained tree.

Do pay close attention to the fertilizer needs of your palm tree. Problems with pindo palms will often result from a lack of micronutrients. Keep in mind to fertilize your pindo often, and try to keep the tree off of soil with a high pH level. Too high of a pH level in the soil can cause major issues for pindo palms.

Do Pindo Palms Produce Flowers?

The springtime blooms that this palm tree produces can be white, yellow, or red. They are known for being quite fragrant. There will be one female flower and two male blooms in each group of three as they mature. The blossoms develop into edible yellow or orange fruits during the course of the summer, which are beneficial to humans and wildlife alike. Unfortunately, they are not only quite messy, but they also leave gooey, sticky blobs all over the ground surrounding the tree. Because of this, you should put your pinda palm tree far from decks, pathways, roadways, and other locations where fruit that has fallen from the tree is likely to cause issues. Indoor potted pindo palm trees rarely ever produce flowers or fruit.

How Fast Do Pindo Palm Trees Grow?

The slow-growing pindo palm takes years to develop to a height of 10 or 20 feet. For this reason, search for at least three or four-year-old stock at your local nursery when you go to buy your palm tree. This way, you will begin with at least some size to start with.

If you want to add a tropical flair to your home but don’t live in a hot, humid part of the world, the pindo palm tree could be the perfect choice for you!