Syagrus comosa palm in the ground

Credit: Douglas

Syagrus comosa palm foliage

Credit: J. Medeiros

Green palm fruit Syagrus comosa

Credit: Douglas

Palms and fruits Syagrus comosa

Credit: L. Bergamini

Syagrus comosa palm in bloom

Credit: Douglas

Syagrus comosa, a rare palm tree

Looking for a plant you can't find anywhere else? Plant a Syagrus comosa! This palm of the Arecaceae family grows from Brazil to Bolivia. Rare in the wild due to its reduced distribution range, it is also very rare in cultivation.

How to recognize Syagrus comosa?

Smaller than coconut palm (Cocos nucifera), Syagrus comosa reaches a height of six meters in the wild. In cultivation, however, it rarely exceeds two meters in height.

Its single stipe measures twelve centimetres in diameter at best. It is covered with leaf scars, the remnants left by the old petioles when they detach.

The false trunk supports a crown of six to twelve pinnate leaves. Coriaceous and robust, they can reach 1.5 m in length.

The yellow flowers are grouped in panicles. The same tree bears both male and female flowers, facilitating pollination.

The light-green, ellipsoid fruits are three centimetres long and two centimetres wide. Edible, they have bitter flesh and are not very tasty. They are mainly used to treat digestive disorders.

Syagrus comosa is not a toxic plant. Its leaves are harmless if touched or ingested by humans or animals.

Our maintenance tips

Syagrus comosa are particularly sensitive to cold and excess water. When watered regularly and protected from frost, these plants are easy to care for.

Watering

Water your Syagrus comosa when the soil surface is at least three centimetres dry.

Use non-calcareous water at room temperature, such as rainwater.

After 20 minutes, empty the planter or saucer. Stagnant water can rot the roots.

Spray

The air in our apartments is too dry for plants used to high humidity. Mist your Syagrus comosa with water at room temperature.

Rainwater is preferable to tap water. Tap water causes white spots on the foliage.

Repotting

In spring, transfer your Syagrus comosa to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.

Choose a deep, pierced pot. This will prevent the container from tipping under the weight of your Syagrus comosa and allow the root system to develop.

Mix green potting soil (50%), sand (25%) and heather soil (25%). Place a layer at the bottom of the pot. Plant your Syagrus comosa in the center and add substrate. Stop a few centimetres below the edge to form a watering trough.

Water copiously to expel air bubbles and facilitate rooting.

Fertilization

You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

Use a liquid fertilizer for green plants mixed with water.

Cleaning

Dust accumulating on leaves slows down the photosynthesis process. To ensure that your Syagrus comosa receives sufficient light, clean its foliage with a damp cloth.

This operation also prevents mites from settling in.

Prune

To encourage the growth of your Syagrus comosa, prune regularly.

Remove dry leaves. Cut them off flush with the main stem using pruning shears.

Plantation

Choose a secluded, sunny location. Half-shade may also be suitable. Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball. Soak your Syagrus comosa to rehydrate it.

Prepare a mixture of garden soil (50%), sand (25%) and compost or heather soil (25%). Place a layer of this substrate at the bottom of the hole. Plant your Syagrus comosa and fill in with your mixture. Use the remaining soil to form a watering trough.

Water to encourage rooting and eliminate air bubbles. You can also mulch the base with pebbles or organic matter to retain moisture and reduce watering.

Seedling

Your seedlings need warmth. Summer is the best time to get started.

Soak seeds in lukewarm water for 48 hours.

Obtain a deep pierced pot with a capacity of at least one liter.

Fill it with a mixture of heather soil (50%) and sand (50%).

Plant one or two seeds in each pot. Bury them two centimetres deep.

Seedlings take better if they are stifled. Enclose your pot in a mini-mirror or cover it with a plastic bag or half a clear bottle. Place in a bright, warm place (at least 25°C).

Keep your seedlings moist by misting the substrate regularly. Aerate for a few minutes each day to prevent rotting.

Disease / Threat

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Arecaceae - Arecaceae
Type	Syagrus - Syagrus
Species	Syagrus comosa - Syagrus comosa
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposures	Sun Half-shade
Substrat	Humus soil
Planting methods	Open ground In pots In tubs
Categories	Shrub Interior
Tag	Large pot
Origin	South America
Hardiness (USDA)	10a
Leaf color
Flower color
Fruit color