Paraguayan Jelly Palm Plant Care
Butia paraguayensis (Barb.Rodr.) L.H.Bailey
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Butia paraguayensis is a species of Butia palm tree found in the cerrado region of South America. Its natural range runs from Mato Grosso do Sul and São Paulo in southern Brazil through Paraguay to northern Argentina and Uruguay.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–90°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Paraguayan Jelly Palm?
Water Paraguayan Jelly Palm every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–90°F (10–32°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Paraguayan Jelly Palm Native To?
What Is the Paraguayan Jelly Palm?
Paraguayan Jelly Palm (Butia paraguayensis) belongs to the Arecaceae family within the Butia genus. Paraguayan Jelly Palm is native to the cerrado region of South America. Paraguayan Jelly Palm is also known as Dwarf Pindo Palm.
Paraguayan Jelly Palm displays a single trunk palm growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Paraguayan Jelly Palm produces creamy yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 36 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Paraguayan Jelly Palm?
Butia paraguayensis requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Paraguayan Jelly Palm Need?
Paraguayan Jelly Palm thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Paraguayan Jelly Palm Prefer?
Butia paraguayensis grows best at temperatures of 50–90°F. Paraguayan Jelly Palm prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–90°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Paraguayan Jelly Palm?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Paraguayan Jelly Palm to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Paraguayan Jelly Palm?
Feed Paraguayan Jelly Palm every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Paraguayan Jelly Palm?
Repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Paraguayan Jelly Palm?
Paraguayan Jelly Palm can be propagated through seeds.
Is the Paraguayan Jelly Palm Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Paraguayan Jelly Palm, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Paraguayan Jelly Palm?
Paraguayan Jelly Palm is susceptible to spider mites, palm aphids. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Paraguayan Jelly Palm Need?
Paraguayan Jelly Palm grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Paraguayan Jelly Palm is native to the cerrado region of South America. In cooler regions, grow Paraguayan Jelly Palm as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Paraguayan Jelly Palm is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Butia genus — compare its care with other Butia species on PlantoScan.
Butia is part of the Arecaceae plant family — browse all Arecaceae genera and species.
Paraguayan Jelly Palm thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Butia paraguayensis (Barb.Rodr.) L.H.Bailey, family Arecaceae (first published in Gentes Herbarum 4: 47 (1936)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Paraguayan Jelly Palm, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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