Butia capitata
The Pindo Palm, also called the Jelly Palm or Wine Palm, is a medium-sized cold-hardy palm native to Brazil. This feathery frond beauty is a great addition to any landscape or even inside your home.
Physical Characteristics of the Pindo Palm
If you could describe the Pindo Palm in two words, it would be “effortless elegance.” The Pindo Palm is a stunning feathery frond palm; its color ranges from silvery blue to light green. The fronds have a downward arch, and when the palm is young, the fronds touch the ground. The abundant downward arching fronds give the palm a full and lush look, even when young! The palm eventually grows taller and matures into a single stocky trunk. It grows slowly, at a rate of 2-4 inches a year, and eventually reaches a mature height of 12-14' ft in USDA zone 7b-8 ft and width of 12-14' ft, the fronds measuring 6-8 feet long.
In the spring months, yellow to orange-red flowers grow in clusters and result in an orange fruit known as the Pindo date. Their taste is a mix of sweet, tart, and juicy - similar to a pineapple. This fruit, rich in Vitamin A and B-Carotene, is great for making jam and wine.
Are Pindo Palms easy to maintain?
Pindo Palms are extremely easy to care for. They are pest and disease-resistant, salt-tolerant, and drought-tolerant. Although Pindo Palms require minimal maintenance, it is important to note that picking the fruits will make the area around your palm cleaner in the fruit season. This is worth keeping in mind to avoid a mess near a driveway or pool.
Pindo Palms can grow in a variety of soils, given the soil drains well. They need constant water when newly planted, but require only weekly watering once established. Pindo Palms benefit from fertilizer in spring and summer, when a magnesium and potassium deficiency is most likely.
Where should I plant my Pindo Palm?
Pindo Palms are versatile because of their size, growth rate, and easy maintenance. For starters, they can be planted in full sun or in shady areas. Because they grow so slowly, Pindo Palms will maintain their look for many years. When shopping for a Pindo, it is advisable to get the size that matches your immediate landscape needs. For assistance in deciding the right size for your landscape, use our Atlanta Palms Landscape Design Services.
The Pindo Palm looks different in each of its growth stages, and because of its slow growth, it maintains its look for a while. For example, the 4-5ft sized Pindo Palms are great to cover any unwanted pool equipment or cover a fence.
As the palm gets taller, the strikingly beautiful trunk becomes exposed. The trunk is thick and varies in look depending on how it is cut. The Diamond Cut is the most elegant cut and gives the palm a sculptural look. The regular cut gives the Pindo Palm more of a natural tree look. Pindo Palms give off a tropical-lush vibe and look great as the center palm on a tropical island.
Front Yard
Because they are slow growing and reach a maximum height of 15 ft, Pindos are a great option for smaller lawns. They enhance the look of the house without overpowering or covering it. . They are a great palm to plant under power lines, as they will never reach the height of the lines or need to be removed. They look amazing as standalone palms or as part of a group.
Backyard
Pindo Palms also work well as backyard palms, near pergolas or fire pits. Given their maximum height and width, they are big enough to make a visual statement, yet compact enough to look proportionate. If planting them near a pool, remember to harvest the fruit in time to avoid any mess inside the pool.
In a Planter or Indoors
Pindo Palms can thrive in containers as well. If your winters drop below the palm’s 5°F cold-hard threshold, it is advisable to keep your Pindo Palm in a container. Pindo Palms will not grow as fast or tall as those in the ground, and will not need to be transplanted to a bigger pot for years, making it an easy-to-care-for container palm!
Although these palms love the sun and thrive outdoors, an indoor container near a sunny window with some airflow will suit them just fine!
How cold-hardy are they?
Pindo Palms are good to be planted in zones 7b-11. They are cold-hardy down to 10°F but can survive quick dips to 5°F. They are the most cold-hardy of all the feathery-frond palms.
Pindo Palms for Sale Near Me
The Pindo Palm is a great choice if you are looking for a palm tree that has wide fronds, resembles a tree, and wants the absolute cold-hardiest out of all the feathery frond palm trees. This is a palm tree that you can have, and eat its fruit too! If you want this tree for your property, buy from the best at Atlanta Palms. Visit us or give us a call at 770-400-9897. Buy a Pindo Palm, and you can have your palm and eat it too!
