Cowell's Copernicia Palm Plant Care

Copernicia cowellii Britton & P.Wilson

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Copernicia cowellii is a palm which is endemic to Camagüey Province, Cuba.

🪴Houseplants🌴Palms
Water

Every 10–14 days

Light

Full sun

Temp

65–85°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Cowell's Copernicia Palm?

Water Cowell's Copernicia Palm every 10–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Cowell's Copernicia Palm Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Cowell's Copernicia Palm?

Cowell's Copernicia Palm (Copernicia cowellii) belongs to the Arecaceae family within the Copernicia genus. Cowell's Copernicia Palm is native to Camagüey Province, Cuba.

Cowell's Copernicia Palm displays a tall, single-trunk palm growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Cowell's Copernicia Palm produces creamy white flowers in large clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 36 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Cowell's Copernicia Palm?

Copernicia cowellii requires watering every 10–14 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 10–14 days

Let soil partially dry between waterings

What Light Does the Cowell's Copernicia Palm Need?

Cowell's Copernicia Palm thrives in full sun.

Light Requirement

Full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Cowell's Copernicia Palm Prefer?

Copernicia cowellii grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Cowell's Copernicia Palm prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

65–85°F

Humidity

50–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Cowell's Copernicia Palm?

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Cowell's Copernicia Palm to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Cowell's Copernicia Palm?

Feed Cowell's Copernicia Palm every 6 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 6 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 Cowell's Copernicia 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 Cowell's Copernicia Palm?

Cowell's Copernicia Palm can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to white copernicia palm plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Cowell's Copernicia Palm Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Cowell's Copernicia 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 Cowell's Copernicia Palm?

Cowell's Copernicia 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 Cowell's Copernicia Palm Need?

Cowell's Copernicia Palm grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Cowell's Copernicia Palm is native to Camagüey Province, Cuba. In cooler regions, grow Cowell's Copernicia Palm as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13b

Keep exploring plants

Cowell's Copernicia 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 Copernicia genus — compare its care with other Copernicia species on PlantoScan.

Copernicia is part of the Arecaceae plant family — browse all Arecaceae genera and species.

Cowell's Copernicia Palm thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Copernicia Species

Other Copernicia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Copernicia cowellii Britton & P.Wilson, family Arecaceae (first published in Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 41: 17 (1914)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Cowell's Copernicia 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 13b, 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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