African Oil Palm

Planted about four months ago, this palm has taken off like a rocket.
If you desire a fast growing palm, this is it! I understand ...Read Morethese palms grow in central and south Fla. and will recover in most cases from temps in the upper 20's. Update July 2011, I don't believe this to be a 10B rated Palm. Mine took two freezes and frost with little damage unprotected. Has now recovered and looking great with lightning fast growth. I have seen two large ones, about 40 feet in inland Lee County, Fl. These have taken several freezes in a row, they may be defoliated, but always come back.

I have just got a packet that contains six african oil palm seeds from Banana tree and I hope they will grow. I am hoping to figure out w...Read Morehat to do with them they grow, I hope to keep all six of them or give some of them to the Missouri botanical gardens in St.Louis, Mo and to the Wsahington park botanical gardens In Springfield ,IL.
Wyatt Reinhart

This is a great palm for a beginner in Florida. It loves lots of space, full sun, copious amounts of water, and plenty of fertilizer. D...Read Moreon't bother buying a large specimen, as it grows so fast you will be pruning it twice a year! The petioles are armed, so be careful when removing fronds. It is a lot of fun to watch these grow.

Keep in mind, however, that this is a tropical palm. It may survive for a few years in climates outside of the subtropics, but one hard freeze, and it's a goner. Also, make certain to choose a site far from obstacles like power lines. These palms have huge, sweeping fronds that are easily tossed about by the wind. They begin to bear fruit while young, and produce a tremendous amount over the years.

The only negative, is that the fruit of this palm is a favorite food of many rodents. Likewise, the rodents are the favorite food of snakes. I am always finding the slithering reptiles in the grass near my specimen. Not really a problem for those who are fond of snakes, such as myself.

This is a must have for Soutehrn California. This palm can survive from the coast all the way to places like the Salton Sea, Palm Springs...Read More, or Phoenix AZ. It prefers places like Palm Spings though. This palm is a fast grower, and in Phoenix AZ< which is a little cooler than Palm Springs, this palm is fruiting with 18 foot fronds and the same amount of trunk and still growing, and under 25 years old. (I think 17) THis beatiful palm is a must have!