Carnauba Palm Plant Care
Copernicia prunifera (Mill.) H.E.Moore
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Copernicia prunifera or the carnaúba palm or carnaubeira palm is a species of palm tree native to northeastern Brazil. Known by many as 'tree of life' because of its many uses, the Carnaúba is also the symbol tree of Ceará.
Every 10–14 days
Full sun
65–85°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Carnauba Palm?
Water Carnauba 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 Carnauba Palm Native To?
What Is the Carnauba Palm?
Carnauba Palm (Copernicia prunifera) belongs to the Arecaceae family within the Copernicia genus. Carnauba Palm is native to northeastern Brazil. Carnauba Palm is also known as Carana Palm, Wax Palm.
Carnauba Palm displays a tall, single-trunk palm growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Carnauba Palm produces creamy white flowers in large clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 36 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Carnauba Palm?
Copernicia prunifera 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 Carnauba Palm Need?
Carnauba Palm thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Carnauba Palm Prefer?
Copernicia prunifera grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Carnauba 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 Carnauba Palm?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Carnauba Palm to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Carnauba Palm?
Feed Carnauba 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 Carnauba 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 Carnauba Palm?
Carnauba Palm can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to white copernicia palm plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Carnauba Palm Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Carnauba 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 Carnauba Palm?
Carnauba 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 Carnauba Palm Need?
Carnauba Palm grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Carnauba Palm is native to northeastern Brazil. In cooler regions, grow Carnauba Palm as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Carnauba 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.
Carnauba 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 prunifera (Mill.) H.E.Moore, family Arecaceae (first published in Gentes Herbarum 9: 242. 1963) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Carnauba 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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