Pindo Palm

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

15-20 Feet

Mature Spread

10-15 Feet

Growing Zones

8 to 11

Pindo Palm (Jelly Palm) turns any yard into a laid-back retreat. Its graceful, blue-green fronds arc from a rugged trunk, creating instant resort vibes without high maintenance. Slow growth and compact size make it an easy fit for smaller landscapes and statement planters.

Beyond looks, it’s notably cold tolerant for a palm and handles heat, wind, and coastal conditions with ease. In warm climates, fragrant summer fruit called “pindo dates” can be cooked into jellies and syrups. Use it as a focal point near patios, pool decks, or entryways for year-round structure and color.

Pindo Palm (Jelly Palm) Care

Give Pindo Palm 6–8+ hours of direct sun; light afternoon shade is fine in very hot inland sites. Plant in sharply drained soil—sandy or loamy works best—at a slightly acidic to neutral pH (about 6.0–7.5). Water deeply the first growing season whenever the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry; once established, water every 10–14 days in summer and less in cool months, avoiding soggy conditions.

Mulch 2–3 inches to moderate soil temps, keeping mulch a few inches off the trunk. Feed in early spring and midsummer with a slow-release palm fertilizer containing magnesium and micronutrients (especially manganese). Prune only completely brown, hanging fronds; avoid “hurricane cuts.” Hardy in USDA zones 8–11; protect young plants from hard freezes.

Suitable for large containers outdoors; brief indoor staging is fine for young specimens in bright light.

Pindo Palm (Jelly Palm) Spacing

For a specimen, allow 10–12 feet of horizontal clearance from walls, walkways, and other trees to accommodate the 8–12 foot frond spread. For informal groupings or avenues, space 8–12 feet on center. Keep at least 5 feet from driveways or high-traffic paths to avoid brushing fronds.

For containers, start with an 18–24 inch diameter pot with large drainage holes; upsize gradually to a 24–30 inch half-barrel as the root ball fills the container. Stake only in very windy locations during establishment, then remove supports.

Why Grow Pindo Palm (Jelly Palm)?

• Cold-tolerant palm that handles down to about 15°F in established plants
• Blue-green, feathery fronds that deliver year-round structure and shade
• Low maintenance once established; drought and coastal-salt tolerant
• Summer fruit in warm regions for homemade jellies and syrups
• Textured trunk and elegant canopy that elevate patios and poolside spaces

Welcome an effortless, year-round evergreen with unexpected cold tolerance into your landscape. Plant it today for a touch of tropical style that earns compliments in every season.