Copernicia Species, Brazilian Wax Palm, Carnuba Wax Palm

Coperniciaprunifera

Family
Arecaceae (ar-ek-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Copernicia (koh-per-NEE-kee-uh)
Species
prunifera (proo-NIF-er-uh)
Synonym
Copernicia cerifera
Palma prunifera
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Smooth
Height
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
20-30 ft. (6-9 m)
Spacing
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
Maroon/Burgundy
White/Near White
Cream/Tan
Silver/Gray
Inconspicuous/none
Bloom Time
Late Winter/Early Spring
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Late Fall/Early Winter
Mid Winter
Blooms all year
Blooms repeatedly
Other Details
Category
Palms
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Bronze
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Propagation Methods
From seed; germinate in vitro in gelatin, agar or other medium
Seed Collecting
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Thousand Oaks, California

Big Pine Key, Florida

Fort Myers, Florida

Venice, Florida

Grenoble, Rhône-Alpes

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
1
neutral
0
negative
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T
| March 2007 | neutral

C.Prunifera (also called Cerifera in some places)originates from NE Brazil and is named Carnauba wax palm after native people and region...Read More

P
Acton, CA (Zone 8b) | September 2003 | positive

This is very closely related to Copernicia alba, another good Coperncia for So Cal. This one is a bit more glaucous (waxy leaves), but i...Read More

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