Hello! I had my coconut tree in the greenhouse but now I'm taking it home because it doesn't look the happiest. I was wondering if the fried brown parts are from too much sun maybe???? I only water it maybe once ever 2 weeks, perhaps it needs more water? Just transplanted it into a larger pot (that was the one it came in) and it has a large set of healthy thick roots!

Thank you

I doubt if too much sun is the problem. In nature they grow in the full tropical sun. Possibly a water issue....hard water or not enough drainage ? In Hawaii, I saw them that size growing in the sand, but Hawaii gets over 100 inched of rain a year.

Okay!!! Very true. I will try watering it more! I'll do once a week now. I use the greenhouse hoses, not sure what water it is (it's the greenhouse at my university). I use distilled for my carnivorous plants so if need be I can too for my coconut tree

Coconuts rarely live for more than a few years in pots they are capable of growing into monster trees and really don't do well as an indoor Palm it's probably doomed unless you get it Into a tropical climate and in the ground



If you like palms research the kinds you want and see if you have space not all palms grow into giants

Okay!!! Yeah this was a birthday present I received :/ I live in Ohio so unfortunately I won't be able to put it outside :(((

Yes, probably thirsty, do not worry of drowning, our coconut even growing on lake's shore.
if you are really fond of it, there is also what we call coconut bonsai here in tropical, it does requires lots of care just like growing a true bonsai (consider it as an experiment if you wish, and amaze your friend, yup they wont fruit though)
https://www.google.co.id/searc...

I agree with Alex that this is a novelty plant that struggles indoors. However, you do have a greenhouse and that can help, particularly if the humidity is elevated. It can tolerate strong light, but only if the roots are kept good and moist. It appears that yours has suffered more from drought than anything else. I would expect that you also now have a spider mite problem.

Okay!!! I will definitely water it more.

What do you suggest I do about the leaves? If they have mites.

Hello Lindsey, coconut trees ably endures full direct sun and intense heat with humidity and lots of rain. It is not an ideal plant, in my opinion, for indoor growing, though some will attempt it provided you can maintain your temps not lower than 70F in winter. And this has to be sustained 70F and higher otherwise even if you water it more, it may just suffer since it will never like temps below 70F and may just cause rotting.

It is a fantastic tree, we call it the tree of life in my homeland where it is endemic and grown often by the seashore in loamy to sandy soil, where it gets a lot of heat and humidity and about 6 months of rain. Critical factor for this one in winter is the temperature and light as with most tropical plants. At most that plant may survive indoors but do not expect it to show quite well since it is not its ideal growing condition.

The rule of thumb is to never cut a palm leaf off until it is completely brown as even the slightest green part is sending energy back to the plant but, in this case I would prune those leaves off close to the base. I agree it likely has spider mites so watch the emerging leaves carefully.

Treat the spider mites by spraying the entire plant with a solution of soapy water. Be thorough enough that all leaf and stem surfaces are literally dripping wet.

You also need to repeat the soapy water treatment at least once more in about 5 days, to get any new ones that hatch.

Palms have specific nutrient needs, as well. If you can buy a small amount of palm-specific fertilizer with the required micro-nutrients, and give it a very small amount until it has more leaves, that will certainly help too. Those leaves look really pale and anaemic.

Just my opinion, but the greenhouse is the place for that plant, not your home. They need the humidity and better light conditions. See if you can place it up high in the greenhouse where it will get the most sun, and be warmest.