Tagua palm (Phytelephas aequatorialis)
Care, watering, light and tips for Tagua palm on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Arecaceae
- Difficulty: Demanding
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 15–40 °C
About Tagua palm
The tagua palm (Phytelephas aequatorialis) is a dioecious palm native to the tropical rainforests of Ecuador, renowned for its hard, white seeds used as 'vegetable ivory'. It can grow up to 20 meters tall, developing a robust trunk and large, elegant pinnate leaves. It is ideal for spacious tropical gardens or as a focal point in parks, where its majestic stature and the curiosity of its fruits can be appreciated.
Native range
Northwestern South America, mainly in Ecuador and southern Colombia.
Care tips
It requires full sun to partial shade and a warm, humid climate; it does not tolerate frost. Watering should be abundant and regular, keeping the substrate consistently moist but well-drained. It prefers deep, organically rich soils with good drainage. A common mistake is attempting to cultivate it in cold or dry climates, where it will not thrive.