Jubaea chilensis aka Coquito Palm

Jubaea chilensis is an evergreen palm from central Chile. It belongs to the palm family, Arecaceae. Names include Chilean wine palm, coquito palm, and honey palm. In the wild, it grows in dry gullies and scrub-covered ridges. Records also place it between the coast and nearby hills. Its native climate ranges from subtropical to warm, dry temperate.

This slow-growing tree needs space and many years to mature. The RHS places mature height above 39 feet [12 metres]. Its spread can exceed 26 feet [8 metres]. Both RHS and PACSOA report heights reaching 82 feet [25 metres]. The single grey trunk bears cracks and old leaf scars. It can grow about 4.3 feet [1.3 metres] thick. A large crown holds stiff, feather-like leaves. Each leaf can reach 16 feet [5 metres] long. Narrow, folded leaflets range from yellow-green to dark green. PACSOA describes greyish leaf undersides.

Small flowers appear in summer, with dull purple and yellow tones. They have a bowl-like shape and grow in long sprays. These can reach about 5 feet [1.5 metres] long. Woody yellow fruit follows the flowers. The fruit and seeds have food uses. People candy the fruit and eat seeds raw or cooked. The seeds have a nut-like taste and yield edible oil. Sweet sap supplies drinks, syrup, and wine. The harvesting method described by PFAF kills the tree. It involves felling the palm and removing its crown.

Outdoors, choose a sheltered spot with full sun. Give it fertile soil that stays moist but drains well. RHS lists chalk, loam, and sand as suitable soils. It accepts acid, neutral, or alkaline conditions. Its UK hardiness rating is H4. PFAF lists USDA zones 7–10. In colder areas, RHS suggests a cool greenhouse or conservatory. Use a peat-free compost with a loam base for containers. Seeds need warmth, and germination can take several months. Sources differ on timing, with reports extending to 16 months.

The palm suits architectural planting and Mediterranean-style gardens. RHS also lists courtyards, patios, and containers as planting uses. It needs little pruning beyond removing dead leaves. Disease problems are uncommon, though red spider mites may occur under glass. Leaves supply material for baskets, brushes, and thatch. Plant fibres serve as stuffing, while trunk fibres can make paper. PFAF lists no known hazards or medicinal uses. That hazard statement does not establish safety for pets.